Monitoring of the fluid distribution in soft porous materials in real-time using Neutron Radiography
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - Agriffod and Bioscience |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | November 2018 - January 2020 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration: Industrial pilot projects for neutron and photon experiments at large scale research infrastructures - 2018 |
| End-of-project report | 2018-04429_Mölnlycke2.pdf (pdf, 380 kB) |
Important results from the project
In wound management, fluid handling is an important attribute for the wound dressing performance. For Mölnlycke, it is therefore of interest to be able to visualize the mechanism of fluid transportation in real-time through typical heterogeneous soft porous materials. The challenge is to mimic the fluid transport as close as possible to the reality of a clinical setting. This involves slow flow rates of biological fluids to simulate chronic exuding wounds and to have relevant orientation of the dressing to assess the gravitation impact during patient use.
Expected long term effects
The study showed that simulated wound fluid containing serum could be used for NR imaging. This means that wound dressings can be assessed in the most realistic setting possible when monitoring the fluid transport. The analysis also gave insight about differences in fluid distribution depending on whether the fluid contains serum or not. This highlights the importance of using a relevant test fluid. In addition, the NCT has enabled us to see the fluid distribution inside the wound dressing material in both 3D and 4D, including at slow flow rates, which are relevant to chronic wounds
Approach and implementation
Two different wound pad materials were used and two different test fluids were assessed. By using a fluid pump, the flow rate could be controlled. A custom-made sample holder was produced, with an inlet for the pump and to allow the sample to be either horizontal or inclined at 60 degrees (simulating patient use). The NR and NCT experiments were performed at the NeXT neutron imaging at ILL in Grenoble. The flow rate and test fluid were assessed by screening with 2D radiography. To conclude, a 4D tomography was run during the fluid transport using a realistic flow rate of a highly exuding wound.