Multispectral imaging of acute wound tissue oxygenation

Abstract

This paper investigates the appropriate range of values for the transcutaneous blood oxygen saturation (StO2) of granulating tissues and the surrounding tissue that can ensure timely wound recovery. This work has used a multispectral imaging system to collect wound images at wavelengths ranging between 520[Formula: see text]nm and 600[Formula: see text]nm with a resolution of 10[Formula: see text]nm. As part of this research, a pilot study was conducted on three injured individuals with superficial wounds of different wound ages at different skin locations. The StO2 value predicted for the examined wounds using the Extended Modified Lambert–Beer model revealed a mean StO2 of [Formula: see text]% compared to [Formula: see text]% at the surrounding tissues, and [Formula: see text]% for control sites. These preliminary results contribute to the existing knowledge on the possible range and variation of wound bed StO2 that are to be used as indicators of the functioning of the vasomotion system and wound health. This study has concluded that a high StO2 of approximately 60% and a large fluctuation in this value should precede a good progression in wound healing.