Design and prototyping of alternative negative pressure wound therapy devices to reduce the risk of amputation in low-income countries

Details

Supervisors

Herman, Benoît ; Lengelé, Benoît

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil mécanicien, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enIn many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to advanced medical devices is limited, creating significant challenges in managing chronic wounds. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a proven method for promoting wound healing and reducing infection rates. However, the high costs and infrastructure requirements of commercial NPWT devices often render them inaccessible in resource-constrained settings. In regions like Cameroon, this inaccessibility exacerbates the risk of preventable amputations, leading to profound social and economic impacts. This thesis addresses the need for a cost-effective and context-sensitive alternative by designing an open-source NPWT device tailored to the unique challenges of LMICs. Cameroon is used as a case study to identify specific design requirements, including affordability, simplicity, and robustness. While the device is tailored to Cameroon’s unique context, it is designed to be adaptable for use in other LMICs with similar challenges. To guide design decisions and support future implementation, multiple prototypes were developed and evaluated comparatively. The study presents the development and testing of three functional NPWT prototypes: a PVC-based pump, a syringe-based system, and an electromechanical device. The syringe-based prototype showed the most potential, demonstrating a good balance of cost, effectiveness, and usability, despite its challenges in maintaining suction during wound simulation. The electromechanical version, while more complex and expensive, offers better control and is suited for outpatient care. Although the PVC-based design did not meet performance expectations during testing, it showed potential for future refinement due to its modular design, which has been shown to be functional in previous studies. Overall, this work highlights the potential of open-source hardware to reduce healthcare inequalities by enabling locally adaptable, affordable medical solutions. The approach combines engineering design with community-driven innovation, laying the groundwork for improved wound care, reduced amputation rates, and increased healthcare self-reliance in LMICs.