Achilles

Paediatric intravenous (IV) therapy is widely used in hospitals but presents significant technical and emotional challenges. Insertion is often painful—reported by 67% of children as the worst part of their hospital stay—and success rates on the first attempt are below 50%. Additionally, maintaining a stable IV is difficult, as children move frequently, requiring immobilization through splints, taping, or bandaging. This increases discomfort and the risk of complications such as infiltration, which can rise up to 30% after several days, leading to pain, stress, and repeated procedures.

The ACHILLES project addresses these issues by developing an innovative sleeve designed to improve comfort, stability, and overall experience during paediatric IV therapy. The sleeve stabilizes the IV line using a textile strap combined with a 3D-printed splint for wrist immobilization. At the same time, its child-friendly design helps reduce stress and anxiety. The modular construction allows easy application and inspection.

A key innovation is the integration of sensors that can detect early signs of complications, such as leakage, infection, or oedema. This enables earlier intervention and reduces the risk of more serious issues, potentially improving both treatment outcomes and patient comfort.

The project is led by Hellen van Rees and carried out by Saxion’s research groups Sustainable & Functional Textiles and Ambient Intelligence, in collaboration with hospitals MST and Deventer Ziekenhuis (DZ). It is funded by Pioneers in Healthcare (PIHC).