To Develop a Prototype for a New Innovative Pressure Relieving Structural Sock using Argon Gas

This NHSCT (HSC NI) Research & Development Discretionary Funded research aim to develop a prototype for a pressure relieving boot for foot ulcers. The Ulster University designers were invited to attend three workshops with Trust Tissue Viability Nurse Specialist Team, to assist with the development of the prototype for a future research study. The initial plan and proposal was to explore the potential of using Argon Gas as identified in the initial concept design phase (funded through Invest NI Innovation Voucher and delivered by the designers). On exploration with the Tissue Viability Nursing Team, many co-designed decisions were made resulting in iterative designs and prototypes informed from the perspective of the patient, the carer and the nurse. Details of these decisions are documented in this report. The nurses in the first workshop highlight a fundamental change that Argon Gas was deemed too complicated for clinical practice comprising of logistic, compliance and ‘perceived’ safety concerns. These would create this would create barriers to use or could result in misuse of the product. New design approaches building upon the principles to date were realised. A newly defined name and brand has been agreed as Pressure Ulcer Prevention Innovation: PUPI boot.