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Scientific Studies

Internal Studies

SIAP (Spine Intra-Abdominal Pressure) Study

The SIAP study has been published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience and examines the effect of using the Inflatable Prone Support (IPS) of Ergotrics on Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP) during spine surgery.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the Inflatable Prone Supports (IPS) are able to lower the IAP of patients in the prone position. When the patient’s position is changed to the prone position, the IAP is increased as a result of abdominal compression. It has previously been shown that increased IAP is linked to increased bleeding. The ability to reduce IAP is assessed by measuring IAP before and after inflation of the IPS.

Nurse Ergonomic Study (NES)

Together with UZ Gent, Liantis investigated whether the use of compressed air and inflatable cushions can reduce the physical load for healthcare workers. The study compared three different proning methods: (1) compressed air and inflatables, (2) turning table and foam supports, (3) tilting and foam supports. Six test persons had to move a patient from the supine to the prone position using these three different tools. For each of the three methods, the muscle tension of the subject’s shoulder muscles and low back muscles was measured to see which method was the least physically demanding.

Proning with compressed air resulted in a significant lower muscle strain for the subjects compared to the other, manual methods. The inflatable cushions not only resulted in less shoulder strain, but this method was also significant less demanding on the back muscles.

In short: using compressed air can ensure that employees in the care sector are less likely to suffer from lower back pain.

OPPE Project

To map the user feedback of the IBO, IPS and Hummingbird, Ergotrics, with the financial support of Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship, organised the OPPE study (Optimization of the Proning Procedure in Europe).

10 renowned hospitals in 5 countries participated in the study: Universitätsspital Zürich, Switzerland; Krankenhaus Wermelskirchen, Germany; Schön Klinink Vogtareuth, Germany; Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Belgium; Akademiska sjukhuset Uppsala, Sweden; Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, the Netherlands; MC Zuyderland Heerlen, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC, the Netherlands; Heilig Geist Hospital Bensheim, Germany; AZ Nikolaas, Belgium.

Vascular Surgery Case Study

In the case study of Dr J.M.M. Heyligers, J.A.M. de Ridder, P.R.A.M. Depauw an inflatable support (IXS-R) was used during open transperitoneal infrarenal abdominal aorta aneurysm repair to improve juxta-renal exposure. The use of the inflatable support provided effective lumbar extension, resulting in excellent visibility of the abdominal aorta and facilitating surgical accessibility. 

Pressure Point Study

Intraoperatively acquired pressure ulcers (IAPU) are a frequent and potential serious postsurgical complication of spine surgery in prone position, requiring additional treatment, reoperation and extended hospitalization. This study investigates the interface pressure of four commonly used thoraco-pelvic support devices. Each device was evaluated in three healthy subjects after positioning them awake on the device. A pressure mapping system was used to measure the interface pressure. Peak pressure and mean pressure values were analyzed, and a pressure mapping image was created for each device.

Both the foam cushions and inflatable support (IPS) showed  lower peak and mean interface pressure and a more equal pressure redistribution, compared to the Wilson frame and Steffee blocks. This suggests that these two specific thoraco-pelvic support devices might lower the risk of the development of intraoperatively acquired pressure ulcers. The additional advantage of the IPS is that the peak pressure is not correlated with patient weight. 

Intra-Abdominal Pressure in Neurosurgery

According to the review published by Depauw et al. (2019), the incidence of complications arising from increased IAP, known as intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) or abdominal compartment syndrome in critically ill patients, can be high and its impact can be significant. 

White Paper “Importance of ergonomics in hospital care”

How many nurses suffer from back pain? Why are the ergonomic challenges so big in healthcare? What is the cost of the ergonomic burden in healthcare?
Ergotrics summarizes more than 20 publications around ergonomics in healthcare in one comprehensive article. For a short version: watch the video made by EIT Health and Ergotrics.

External Studies

Comparison on the effectiveness and cost of a static air mattress and alternating air pressure mattress to prevent pressure ulcers in nursing home residents

“A static air mattress was significantly more effective than an alternating air pressure mattress in preventing pressure ulcer in a high-risk nursing home population. Considering multiple lifespans and purchase costs, the static air mattress was more cost-effective than the alternating air pressure mattress”

Beeckman D., Serraes B., Anrys C, et al.: A multicentre prospective randomised controlled clinical trial comparing the effectiveness and cost of a static air mattress and alternating air pressure mattress to prevent pressure ulcers in nursing home residents

 

Air-assisted devices reduce biomechanical loading in the low back and upper extremities during patient turning tasks

“air-assisted devices have potential as an effective intervention to considerably reduce physical risk factors associated with caregivers’ musculoskeletal disorders in low back and upper extremities”

Jaejin Hwang, Hemateja Ari, Megha Matoo, Jie Chen, Jeong Ho Kim: Air-assisted devices reduce biomechanical loading in the low back and upper extremities during patient turning tasks

 

Repositioning for preventing pressure ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review by Avsar P., Moore Z., Patton D., et al (2020) demonstrates a reduction in pressure ulcer occurrence with repositioning intervals of every 2-3 hours, as opposed to less frequent repositioning.

Avsar P., Moore Z., Patton D., et al: Repositioning for preventing pressure ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Prone Positioning: Is It Safe and Effective?

Dirkes, Dickinson, Havey and O’Brien (2012) emphasize the benefits of prone ventilation and positioning. However, this procedure also entails potential risks and complications, which can have consequences for both the patient and the healthcare provider. For example, lifting patients to prone position can cause back and other injuries to staff.

Dirkes, S., Dickinson, S., Havey, R., & OʻBrien, D. (2012). Prone Positioning. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 35(1), 64–75. https://doi.org/10.1097/cnq.0b013e31823b20c6

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain the most common work-related health problem in the European Union (EU).

Moving and lifting patients is an inherent part of everyday work for many health professionals in the EU, for example with older, obese or disabled patients. However, good technique with consistent use of assistive devices helps to partially reduce excessive risk.

Lars L. Andersen, MSc, PhD. Musculoskeletal disorders in the healthcare sector. Discussion paper.

Benefits of ventilation in the prone position

“In 2018 Guérin et al published a prospective international prevalence study (APRONET study) showing that Prone Ventilation was used in 32.9 % of severe ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and was associated with low rate of complications, a significant increase in oxygenation, and a decrease in driving pressure.”

Guérin et al. A prospective international prevalence study on prone position of ARDS patients: the APRONET (ARDS Prone Position Network) study.Intensive Care Med. 2018;44:22-37

Benefits of using thoracic pelvic cushions

“The chest and the abdomen are inexorably linked and must be considered as a single unit. Kirkpatrick et al already suggested the benefits of thoracopelvic supports in the ICU in a clinical review on intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) and its influence on the physiology of Prone Ventilation (PV).”

Kirkpatrick AW, Pelosi P, De Waele JJ et al.: Clinical review: Intra-abdominal hypertension: does it influence the physiology of prone ventilation. Crit Care 2010; 14: 232. doi: 10.1186/cc9099.

Consensus on ventilation in the prone position

Prof. Sheila Nainan Myatra (2021) published these expert consensus statements:
97.3% of experts agree that “Prone position during invasive mechanical ventilation of C-ARF improves oxygenation”, while none disagree.

Nasa et al. Crit Care (2021) 25:106

What our clients say about us

We use the Operoll for Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and it makes our work much easier
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Theresa Engelhardt

St. Vincenz Krankenhaus Datteln

A functional and high-quality product that greatly relieves the user when positioning patients!
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St. Elisabeth-Kranken Dorsten, KKRN

As an alternative to placing pillows under the pelvis and lower legs, our team came up with the idea of working with a cylindrical pillow that lies under the alternate mattress, which you can inflate with compressed air
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Jan Vosters

Head nurse Intensive Care Unit, Sint-Vincentius Hospital

With these new products, we increase quality for both our patients and caregivers
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Liesbet Lombaerts

Directeur zorg, GZA Ziekenhuizen

Interposition graft for popliteal aneurysm is favorable in prone position. The Inflatable Prone Support (IPS) and Inflatable Board (IBO) make proning and the prone position possible even for patients with high BMI and large abdominal circumference. Using compressed air offers a big ergonomic advantage! Ergonomics are important for medical and supporting staff!
Prof. dr. P.W.H.E. Vriens

Prof. dr Patrick W.H.E. Vriens

Vascular Surgeon ETZ, Professor Quality of Life, Tilburg University

We can now easily reposition the patient alone. Before we needed two, sometimes three nurses.  The advantage of the Morphemat for the patient? Its back is supported from neck to legs and not at two points.  See our video testimonial
Johan Jespers

Johan Jespers

Nurse Intensive Care Unit

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