Tissue engineered models: a valuable tool in pressure ulcer research

Until the last two decades, research on the aetiology of pressure ulcers was primarily based on animal models, using rabbits, pigs, rats and dogs. Although these studies have been very valuable, there are ethical as well as conceptual reasons to look for alternative models. Sophisticated non-invasive techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound as well as advanced theoretical modelling have offered opportunities for studies with human volunteers. This chapter describes the activities in the laboratories of the authors in the last 15 years which have focused on the aetiology of pressure ulcers. This includes in vitro studies on single cells and on artificial skeletal muscle tissues. These investigations have provided considerable insight into aspects of deformation damage and the role of ischemia in pressure ulcer development. The results appeared consistent with animal studies and human studie