Dressings, systems and methods for phlebitis detection

A system for phlebitis detection and monitoring comprising:

• a dressing comprising:
• a substrate configured for placement over a region of skin encompassing a wound site on a patient;
• a first light source;
• a first light sensor;
• a second light source;
• and a second light sensor, each fixedly attached to the substrate;
• the first light sensor spaced apart from the first light source by a distance d1;
• the second light sensor spaced apart from the second light source by a distance d3;
• and
• a signal processing device in electronic data communication with each of the first light source, the first light sensor, the second light source and the second light sensor,
• wherein the first light sensor is configured to receive light from the first light source reflected off the region of skin in response to the wound site being disposed between the first light source and the first light sensor, and the second light sensor is configured to receive light from the second light source reflected off the region of skin in response to the wound site being disposed between the first light source and the first light sensor and not being disposed between the second light source and the second light sensor,
• wherein the second light sensor is configured to measure a baseline skin color of the region of skin, and wherein the first light sensor is configured to measure a change in skin color relative to the baseline skin color,
• wherein the first light source and the first light sensor, and the second light source and the second light sensor, are configured as independent first and second reflectance spectrophotometers, respectively,
• wherein the signal processing device provides an output in response to a change from the baseline skin color, and
• wherein the output comprises at least one of a visual indicator, an audible indicator, a message sent, and an automated change to the conditions at the wound site.

A method of detecting and monitoring the rate of phlebitis at a region of skin encompassing a wound site on a patient, the method comprising:

• covering the region of skin with a dressing comprising a first light source and a first light sensor spaced apart from the first light source by a distance d1 and a second light source and a second light sensor spaced apart from the second light source by a distance d3, such that the wound site is disposed between the first light source and the first light sensor and not disposed between the second light source and the second light sensor;
• and
• obtaining a color of a portion of skin in the region of skin between the first light source and the first light sensor by measuring light from the first light source reflected off the portion of skin over time relative to a baseline skin color,
• wherein the dressing further comprises a substrate dimensionally configured to cover the region of skin and onto which the first light source, and the first light sensor, the second light source and the second light sensor are fixedly attached;
• wherein the first light source and the first light sensor, and the second light source and the second light sensor, are configured as independent first and second reflectance spectrophotometers, respectively,
• wherein a red color thus obtained by the first reflectance spectrophotometer indicates the presence of phlebitis, and
• wherein a reddening of skin color over time relative to the baseline skin color indicates a worsening of the phlebitis.