Software development for autologous skin substitute production

ABSTRACT Objective The gold-standard for the management of patients affected by large-surface third-degree burns is autologous skin graft. There is no way to accurately assess burned area size and predict the number of cells and the time necessary to produce a skin graft. Materials and Methods When burns affect 40% TBSA), the donor site surfaces are insufficient. The alternative grafting strategy uses bioengineered skin substitutes that are generated using the own keratinocytes of the patient after ex vivo expansion. We developed a software for severe burn diagnosis and autologous skin substitute production. Results We developed a software-assisted calculation of the required graft surface and keratinocyte numbers and the time to produce the graft needed, according to patient clinical characteristics. The software also offers assistance to estimate the Baux score, a method that links the severity of burn injuries and the prognosis for the patient. Discussion Optimal setup of the bioengineering process involved determination of the required graft surface, adjustment of cell quantities, and control of the timing necessary for production. This could be determined and automated by this software. Accordingly, tools to assist the design of personalized protocols will contribute to care quality and cost limitation. Conclusion This software provides a principle of assisted burned patient diagnose and skin substitute bioengineering process which development may facilitate the design of personalized protocols for skin regenerative cell therapies.