Method for detecting hematoma, portable detection and discrimination device and related systems and apparatuses

A method for detecting a hematoma, the method comprising:

• emitting near infrared light continuously into tissue of a patient from a near infrared light emitter moving along the external surface of the tissue;
• and
• measuring reflected light from two different depths of penetration with a probe moving along the external surface of the tissue;
• and
• applying a ratiometric analysis.

An apparatus for detecting a hematoma in tissue of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• a detection device that emits near infrared light into the tissue and which provides outputs that correspond to detected reflected light;
• an analysis section operably coupled to the detection device that determines at least the presence of a blood event from the detection device outputs;
• wherein the detection device includes:
• a near infrared light emitting section that is configured and arranged so the emitted near infrared light penetrates to two different depths, and
• a detection section that is configured and arranged so as to separately detect reflected light from the two different depths;
• and
• wherein the analysis section is configured and arranged to apply a ratiometric analysis to the reflected light that is detected while the detection device is moved along an external surface of the tissue to distinguish between normal tissue and tissue containing accumulated blood.