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US 12,745,953 B2Granted
Systems and methods for detection of pressure ulcers
AssigneesUniversity of Houston System, The Methodist Hospital, Apogee Interests, LLC
InventorsLuca Pollonini, Scott E. Parzynski, Jeffrey D. Friedman
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Abstract
Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, methods and systems for determining differential blood oxygenation for early detection of pressure ulcers. By applying near infrared radiation of an appropriate wavelength to the tissue and determining the absorbance at a plurality of points where the distance between the source of the near infrared radiation and the detector are known, the oxygenation state of the hemoglobin can be determined based on position in a three-dimensional space.
Claims23
A device comprising:
- a flexible support comprising a first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to be placed in proximity to an epidermis;
- a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device comprising:
- a plurality of radiation sources coupled to the first surface of the support, wherein the radiation sources are configured to emit a first emitted radiation signal at a first time period and a second emitted radiation signal at a second time period, wherein:
- the first emitted radiation signal and the second emitted radiation signal are emitted toward the epidermis when the first surface is placed in proximity to the epidermis;
- and
- the second time period is subsequent to the first time period;
- a plurality of radiation detectors coupled to the first surface of the support, wherein the radiation detectors are configured to detect a first detected radiation signal at the first time period and a second detected radiation signal at the second time period;
- a processor in electronic communication with the radiation detector;
- and
- a non-transitory memory adapted to store a plurality of machine-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the device to:
- compare the first detected radiation signal to the second detected radiation signal to calculate a change in an optical property of the epidermis;
- and
- determine if the change in the optical property of the epidermis is indicative of a pressure ulcer;
- wherein upon placement of each of the plurality of radiation detectors in proximity with the epidermis, each of the plurality of radiation detectors are configured to receive some radiation from each of the radiation sources;
- wherein the change in the optical property of the epidermis comprises determining a change in the optical density of the epidermis;
- and,
- wherein the device may adjust the first or second emitted radiation signal or the first or second detected radiation signal to account for a pigmentation of the epidermis.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.