Frequently asked questions

  • PU sensor is an objective method that can be used at the same time as the traditional subjective risk assessment as soon as possible after a patient arrives at a healthcare provider.

  • The PU sensor examines whether an individual has PIV, the body’s physiological defense mechanism against non-harmful pressure. In PIV, the vessels dilate so that damage does not occur at non-damaging pressures. Research shows that around 20% lack this physiological function and are therefore at risk of developing pressure injury.

  • There are four stages to an examination:

    1. The patient is placed in the lateral position and the sensor plate is attached to the sacrum (at the dorsal end) using a special biocompatible tape that comes with the product. An inflatable cushion is placed around the sensor plate and the patient is returned to the supine position.

    2. The user starts the examination by pressing the Start button. The entire procedure is then automatic.

    3. First, the cushion is inflated to relieve the area where the sensor plate is. The sensor plate collects information about the blood flow in the unloaded skin. Then the cushion is deflated and the sensor plate collects information about the blood flow in the loaded skin. The two different phases are compared and the PU sensor presents a result of how the blood flow has changed between the different phases, and whether the blood flow response indicates an increased risk or not.

    4. The patient is turned to their side to remove the sensor plate and pad.

  • An examination with PU sensor normally takes less than five minutes. After PU sensor is started, the examination is performed automatically.

  • The PU sensor can be used on anyone who normally undergoes risk assessment for pressure injury in healthcare, elderly care or other types of care. There are, however,  certain exceptions:

    – A person who cannot lie still in the supine position for five minutes

    – A person who has an existing wound or injury to the skin at the sacrum where the sensor plate is to be placed

    – A person who weighs more than 200 kg

    – A person with known allergy or sensitivity to any of the silicone or plastic materials contained in the product. This is unusual as all materials used in the product are biocompatible

  • PU sensor examines how superficial blood flow changes when the skin is subjected to the pressure of its own body weight compared with when the skin is unloaded. In a healthy person, the blood flow increases when the skin is subjected to the pressure of body weight. But for some people, blood flow decreases even at light pressure. These are the people the PU sensor can identify as being at risk.

    The method is based on shining a light into the skin and measuring the light that comes back. As the blood absorbs light, a pulsating signal is generated that corresponds to the blood flow. The same technology is used in pulse watches and pulse oximeters, for example.

  • Superficial blood flow ensures that the skin receives sufficient oxygen and nutrients, while waste products are carried away. Impaired blood flow under pressure can lead to oxygen and nutrient deprivation and cause waste products to remain in the tissue, which can cause cell death and thus pressure injury. How well superficial blood flow works is therefore directly linked to the risk of developing pressure injury.

  • Pressure injury cause great suffering and great cost to healthcare in terms of time spent treating them and the cost of dressings and other equipment. International studies indicate that pressure ulcers account for about 4% of healthcare costs in many countries.

    What everyone agrees on is that the cost of a pressure injury is much higher than the cost of prevention. From extensive point prevalence measurements of pressure injury, it can be estimated that almost half of all pressure injury occur in people who are not considered to be at risk of pressure injury according to current risk assessment methods. It is for these people that the PU sensor can do the most good. If they can be correctly assessed as being at risk and prevention measures are set in, many pressure injury can be avoided. And fewer pressure injury mean that major costs, suffering and deaths can be avoided.

  • PU sensor is easy to use. All you need to do is read the manual that comes with it. No additional information is needed, but to make it easier to absorb the information, a number of instructional videos are available on the PU sensor website.