Paul Ackermann

Paul Ackermann

Professor/Assistant Senior Physician
Visiting address: Hotellet, plan 2, Karolinska universitetssjukhuset, 17176 Stockholm
Postal address: K1 Molekylär medicin och kirurgi, K1 MMK Ortopedi, 171 76 Stockholm
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About me

  • Dr. P.W. Ackermann is focusing his research on neuro-vascular regulation of venous thromboembolism, pain and musculo-skeletal tissue repair in collaboration with a global network of researchers. Clinically Dr. Ackermann is working as an orthopedic surgeon at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm.

Research

  • Dr. P.W. Ackermann is focusing his research on neuro-vascular regulation of venous thromboembolism (blood clots), pain and musculo-skeletal tissue repair.  Physical inactivity is one of the greatest threats to health in modern times, contributing to blood clots, muscle loss, pain, obesity, and diabetes. Orthopedic patients face even greater risks due to injuries, surgeries, and prolonged periods of leg immobilization. In our research group, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying complications such as blood clotting, impaired healing, and pain. Additionally, we are developing innovative, targeted strategies to prevent these complications by stimulating blood flow and nerve activity during periods of inactivity.

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Nano-NMES ASIC for Venous Thromboembolism prevention
    VINNOVA
    25 May 2023 - 31 December 2026
    People with some degree of immobilization, for example elderly people, patients following surgery, injury or even prolonged sitting, have an increased risk of developing blood clots in their veins. This medical condition is called venous thromboembolism (VTE) and mainly consists of deep vein thrombosis in the legs and its potential sequelae
    pulmonary embolism, which may be a life threatening condition. VTE prevention is currently done by using daily injection of heparins or intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). However, the compliance of these treatments in hospitals is known to be low. Moreover, the compliance at home settings in not sufficiently studied but presumably much lower. To tackle this problem, the project's applicants have developed technology based on Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) that can efficiently prevent VTE. This approach consists of constantly monitoring muscle activity on the lower limbs and performing electrical stimulation whenever the muscles have been inactive for some time. The idea behind this project is to take advantage of the latest advances in the Microelectronics field, and develop an embedded system that integrates a multi-channel NMES ASIC, muscle movement sensors, wireless communications, and a patch consisting of an elastic permeable electrode matrix. This combination leads to miniaturization and low-power consumption of the whole system, allowing for a much more simple, flexible, and user-friendly medical device for high compliance VTE prevention. Furthermore, once the ASIC is mass-produced, the electronics become quite inexpensive. This would allow a larger amount of the population, that otherwise could not afford the costs, to access this medical technology.
  • VINNOVA
    1 May 2020 - 30 April 2022
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2018 - 31 December 2020
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2013 - 31 December 2015

Employments

  • Professor/Assistant Senior Physician, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 2021-

Degrees and Education

  • Docent, Karolinska Institutet, 2009
  • Doctor Of Philosophy, Dept of Surgical Science, Karolinska Institutet, 2001
  • University Medical Degree, Karolinska Institutet, 1998
  • Kemi 40 p, Stockholm University, 1992

Distinction and awards

  • Swedish Research Council grant, On “Prevention of thromboembolism and failed healing during lower limb immobilization – a multicenter study with adjuvant intermittent pneumatic compression therapy.”, Swedish Research Council, 2017
  • Swedish Research Council grant, on “Prevention of thromboembolism and failed healing after lower extremity injury - novel neuro-vascularly targeted Therapy”., Swedish Research Council, 2012
  • DJO Sports Medicine’s grant, “Compression treatment prevents post-operative complications and promotes tissue repair”., DJO Sports Medicine's, 2011
  • American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s grant, Ligament and Tendon Repair and Regeneration Grant for Groundbreaking Ligament and Tendon Repair Research, “Biological Augmentation of Ligament and Tendon Healing: Role of Neuropeptides.”, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, 2010
  • Best poster award, ”Can sports massage improve recovery after hard eccentric exercise?”, , Swedish Orthopedic Society, 2002

Committee work

  • Chair, Angeby Artros - Karolinska Institutet

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