Perspectives on the future of skin-prosthetic interactions

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Dermatology

Background:

• Skin's sensory network impacts environmental perception and device interaction.
• Mechanical interaction between skin and medical devices is critical for function but can cause injury.
• Factors like hydration affect skin mechanics, potentially leading to inflammation and damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the state-of-the-art in skin medical device tribology, focusing on skin-prosthetic interactions.
• To present a paradigm shift viewing skin as an engineered material.
• To highlight the need for integrating biological and clinical perspectives with engineering.

Main Methods:

• Review of traditional approaches to skin friction.
• Exploration of a biology-first approach to skin friction.
• Analysis of skin as an engineered material.

Main Results:

• The field of tribology traditionally involves engineers, chemists, and physicists.
• Future advancements require significant input from skin biology.
• Integrating clinical, biological, and engineering perspectives is key.

Conclusions:

• A multidisciplinary approach combining biology, clinical insights, and engineering is essential for improving medical device-skin interactions.
• Viewing skin as an engineered material offers new avenues for innovation.
• Addressing skin health is paramount for effective prosthetic and medical device design.