Redefining Wound Healing Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE No standard definition for a completely healed wound currently exists; it is recommended that providers use a reliable wound assessment tool to determine healing. The objective of this feasibility study was to determine if a point-of-care, noncontact, near-infrared (NIR) imaging device could provide an objective measure of wound resolution and guide clinical decision-making for the optimal time to transition from protective wound dressings and gradual return to full activity. METHODS In this single-center feasibility study, adult patients 18 years and older with a lower extremity wound of any size and etiology were seen weekly for wound assessment and standard-of-care treatment. The researchers performed serial imaging with a point-of-care, noncontact, NIR imaging device (SnapshotNIR; Kent Imaging Inc) to assess the wound and surrounding skin and evaluated the difference in time to 100% reepithelialization on visual inspection and homogeneous tissue oxygen saturation levels at the wound site and surrounding closed skin envelope. RESULTS An average time difference of 13.5 ± 10 days (median, 12 days; range, 0–35 days) was observed between 100% reepithelialization on visual wound inspection and imaging assessment. Further, NIR imaging could determine when a patient was at risk for recurrent wound breakdown. CONCLUSIONS The addition of point-of-care, noncontact, NIR imaging may help guide clinical decision-making for the optimal time to transition from protective wound dressings with gradual return to full activity and minimize wound recurrence.