Early Detection of Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic sclerosis causes modifications of soft collagenous tissue (in the skin and other organs) leading to progressive stiffening and scarring. We contribute to the development of methods for early detection of risk factors for disease progression using our new protocols for biomechanical characterization of skin using suction. Our research is part of PREVENT-SSc, a project of Loop-Zurich.
external page Find more information about the project on the Loop website
In vivo experiments are based on the Nimble device, applying a new protocol consisting of a sequence of suction cycles. Measurements are performed on patients at different time points in order to identify biomechanical parameters which correlate with disease progression. In parallel we develop surrogate models of the suction experiment, based on a wide range of suction simulations using our multilayer, multiphase model of human skin. The surrogate model aims at determining interpretable biomechanical parameters from the measurements on each patient. Interpretable here means that they can be linked to specific microstructural features and thus allow a direct link to be established with other methods developed by the team of the Loop project for early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis.