The measurement of interface pressure and its role in soft tissue breakdown

This paper describes the effect of applied pressure on soft tissue and its possible role in the development of pressure ulcers. It concentrates on the quantification of the applied pressure at the patient-support interface and the limitations and variability of current techniques, measurement systems and data presentation. It then describes the effects of interface pressures at the tissue and cellular level, and attempts that have been made to describe and model the tissue mechanics. Finally it sets a challenge to medical engineers to improve the present measurement systems and tissue models, thus increasing understanding, both clinically and at the cellular level, so that the incidence of pressure ulcers can be reduced.