Spectroscopic burn injury evaluation apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Apparatus for evaluating the condition of burned skin at the site of the burn injury to the skin, comprising:
- a plurality of light sources, each emitting excitation light having a predetermined wavelength, that is directed at the burn site to produce return light, wherein at least one light source is characterized by a wavelength of sufficient energy to cause fluorescence of certain chemical constituents of the skin and the return light includes fluorescent light produced by constituents present within the skin;
a sensor, responsive to the return light corresponding to each light source, that monitors the return light and generates a plurality of electrical signals based on the intensity of return light within predetermined wavelength bands; and
a processor associated with the sensor, that processes the plurality of electrical signals and determines the condition of the skin at the site of the burn injury.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A burn evaluation apparatus and related method, that allows a surgeon to make a quick evaluation of the extent and depth of a skin burn injury by employing induced ultraviolet or blue light fluorescence spectroscopy and visible and infrared reflectance spectroscopy. The apparatus monitors the condition of the structural and metabolic constituents in the injured skin. The apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, a sensor, a microprocessor, and several optical fiber bundles. The light sources emit excitation light at predetermined wavelengths, and when each is activated, the sensor measures the amount return light received within several wavelength bands of interest. A side fiber bundle spaced about a centimeter from a main fiber bundle assists in detecting tissue water below the burn area. By optically evaluating the skin at the burn site, the apparatus prevents the unnecessary removal of viable skin that will heal spontaneously within a few weeks, thereby reducing the amount of skin that must be surgically grafted.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for evaluating the condition of burned skin at the site of the burn injury to the skin, comprising:
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a plurality of light sources, each emitting excitation light having a predetermined wavelength, that is directed at the burn site to produce return light, wherein at least one light source is characterized by a wavelength of sufficient energy to cause fluorescence of certain chemical constituents of the skin and the return light includes fluorescent light produced by constituents present within the skin; a sensor, responsive to the return light corresponding to each light source, that monitors the return light and generates a plurality of electrical signals based on the intensity of return light within predetermined wavelength bands; and a processor associated with the sensor, that processes the plurality of electrical signals and determines the condition of the skin at the site of the burn injury. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification