Measuring leg ulcers using a laser displacement sensor

Abstract

A non-contact method for the measurement of a skin ulcer's area and volume has been developed. A commercially available laser displacement sensor is scanned across the ulcer's surface to produce a displacement image. From this image the healthy normal skin's surface is reconstructed and the area and volume found. Results of measurements made with phantom ulcers show that the method has a precision and accuracy +/- 5% of the total size. This compares favourably with results from other non-contact methods that have been published. The method of measurement is simple and reliable. At present, the time taken to produce a displacement image is lengthy but this is due to a limitation in the instrumentation, rather that a failing of the technique. The result of a preliminary measurement made on a patient's leg ulcer is presented.

Dehydration rates of meniscus and articular cartilage in vitro using a fast and accurate laser-based coordinate digitizing system

“…For example, a highly accurate laser scanner is advantageous in the study of wound healing (Bhat and Smith, 1994;Patete et al, 1996), in determining the size and volume of skin ulcers (Ibbett et al, 1994), in varied orthodontic applications including treatment changes, growth and surgical simulations (Kusnoto and Evans, 2002) and in developing solid models of internal organs (Tognola et al, 2003;Avis et al, 2004).…”

“…Laser scanning is an accurate method of measuring the size and shape of soft tissues (Bhat and Smith, 1994;Ibbett et al, 1994;Patete et al, 1996;Kusnoto and Evans, 2002;Tognola et al, 2003;Avis et al, 2004;Harrison et al, 2004). However, to scan structures within the knee joint, the joint must be disarticulated to expose the soft tissue or bone surface to the laser beam.…”

Use of Imaging Techniques to Assess Skin Wound Healing for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

“…Also, the patient must be lying with the wound horizontal. Systems also tend to be less accurate with larger wounds; with values being up to 25% off for wounds up to 60 mL [48,49].…”

Feasibility of Contactless 3D Optical Measurement for the Analysis of Bone and Soft Tissue Lesions: New Technologies and Perspectives in Forensic Sciences

“…Thus, in the past decade, several methods of image acquisition have been developed: photogrammetry, laser scanner plus sound sensor (16), and laser scanner (17). Actually since the early 1990s, the 3D acquiring system technology has been used in several fields of medicine; the first applications were performed in a clinical context and concerned the analysis and recording of changes in chronic wound healing (18–20).…”