Measurement of tissue viability

Abstract

To provide apparatuses and methods for measuring a sub-epidermal moisture content as an indication of tissue viability and providing information regarding a location of a boundary of a non-viable tissue.SOLUTION: An apparatus for mapping areas of damage around a wound is such that combinations of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be placed over an area of a tissue that includes the wound are capable of forming a plurality of virtual capacitive sensors, where each of the virtual capacitive sensors is configured to measure a capacitance of a region of a tissue proximate to the individual virtual capacitive sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 454,487, filed February 3, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 521,926, filed June 19, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure provides devices and methods for determining the type and extent of tissue damage around a burn or other type of wound. [Background technology]

[0003] Severe wounds and burns may have areas of varying degrees of damage surrounding the wound site. Effective treatment may require the removal of non-viable tissue, but visual assessment of tissue viability may be difficult. For open wounds such as burns, there may be areas of non-viable tissue immediately surrounding the wound, while more distal tissue is less damaged and characterized by swelling known as "edema," but is likely to be viable and recover.

[0004] Common methods of burn assessment assess visual and tactile characteristics: wound status, capillary pallor and refill, capillary staining, and burn sensation to light touch and pinprick. Burn depth is difficult to estimate. In addition, burns are dynamic and may progress over time, and the changes may not be immediately visually apparent. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides and includes an apparatus for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be positioned across an area of ​​tissue including the wound, the combination of the electrodes can form a plurality of virtual capacitance sensors, each of the virtual capacitance sensors configured to measure the capacitance of an area of ​​tissue proximate to the respective virtual capacitance sensor; a plurality of visual indicators embedded on the substrate; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the electrodes and the visual indicators; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium electronically coupled to the processor and containing stored instructions that, when executed on the processor, perform the steps of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance from a subset of the plurality of virtual capacitance sensors via the drive circuit; determining a boundary between viable tissue and non-viable tissue; and activating a portion of the plurality of visual indicators via the drive circuit to indicate the boundary.

[0006] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides and includes an apparatus for determining burn depth, the apparatus comprising: a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes capable of forming a capacitance sensor configured to measure the capacitance of a region of tissue proximate the pair of electrodes; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the capacitance sensor; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium electronically coupled to the processor and containing stored instructions that, when executed on the processor, perform the steps of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance from the capacitance sensor via the drive circuit, comparing the information to a data array including the capacitance of the pair and the burn depth, and determining the burn depth associated with the measured capacitance.

[0007] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides and includes an apparatus for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be positioned over a portion of an area of ​​tissue including the wound, wherein a pair of electrodes can form a capacitance sensor, the pair of electrodes being a capacitance sensor configured to measure the capacitance of an area of ​​tissue proximate to the capacitance sensor; a projector capable of projecting a visual indicator onto the area of ​​tissue including the wound; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the projector; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium electronically coupled to the processor and containing stored instructions that, when executed on the processor, perform the steps of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance from one or more of the formed capacitance sensors, determining a first boundary between a first type of tissue and a second type of tissue, and causing the projector to project a visual indicator to indicate the boundary.

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides and includes a method for mapping an injury area around a wound, the method comprising: obtaining capacitance measurements across a region of tissue including the wound using a plurality of electrodes; converting each measured capacitance to an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value; and marking a first boundary encompassing the region of tissue associated with an SEM value below a first threshold. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] Some aspects of the present disclosure are described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now specifically to the drawings, it is emphasized that the details shown are by way of example only and for illustrative discussion of aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, the description and drawings considered alone and together will make apparent to those skilled in the art how aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.

[0010] [Figure 1A] A toroidal bioimpedance sensor is disclosed. [Figure 1B] 1A shows an idealized electric field map produced by the toroidal sensor of FIG. 1A when activated. [Figure 1C] An SEM scanner including the sensor of FIG. 1A is disclosed. [Figure 2] 1 is a first exemplary array of electrodes. [Figure 3] 1 is an exemplary array of electrodes according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 4 illustrates a first example of how an array of electrodes as disclosed in FIG. 3 can be configured to form a bioimpedance sensor, according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 4 illustrates a second example of how an array of electrodes disclosed in FIG. 3 can be configured to form a bioimpedance sensor, according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] Depict an exemplary third-degree burn with an open wound. [Figure 5B] 5B depicts a cross-sectional view of the wound in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] 6 provides an example plot 600 of how SEM values ​​may vary across the wound of FIG. 5A in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 7] A first exemplary embodiment of an SEM detection apparatus according to the present disclosure is disclosed. [Figure 8A] A second exemplary embodiment of an SEM detection apparatus according to the present disclosure is disclosed. [Figure 8B] A third exemplary embodiment of an SEM detection apparatus according to the present disclosure is disclosed. [Figure 9] Aspects of a device for mapping areas of damage according to the present disclosure are disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This disclosure describes the measurement of various electrical properties and derivation of SEM values, which indicate the accumulation or depletion of extracellular fluid (ECF), also referred to as interstitial fluid, and the application of this information to the assessment of tissue viability. Examples of application to burns are provided that are still applicable to other types of wounds. These examples are not limiting, and the principles demonstrated may be applied to a broader range of injuries and conditions than the specific examples. For example, the devices and methods disclosed in connection with third-degree burns may be used with equal efficacy for open wounds, gangrene, ulcers, or other similar injuries.

[0012] Assessment of tissue viability around wounds and burns can be improved by determining the amount of SEM in the tissue surrounding the actual injury. Typically, tissue immediately surrounding the wound will exhibit reduced levels of SEM, indicating lower levels of tissue viability. Further away from the wound, tissue will exhibit higher levels of moisture, or edema. This value may be very high around the edges of low-moisture tissue, indicating a high degree of damage with a high risk of eventual tissue death. SEM values ​​may gradually decrease with increasing distance from the wound, with slightly elevated SEM levels indicating damage with a higher chance of tissue viability. Mapping areas of less viable tissue, as indicated by reduced levels of tissue moisture, and surrounding areas of edema can provide important guidance to clinicians during wound treatment.

[0013] This specification is not intended to be a detailed listing of all the various ways in which the present disclosure may be implemented or all the features that may be added to the present disclosure. For example, features illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments, and features illustrated with respect to a particular embodiment may be deleted from that embodiment. Thus, the present disclosure may exclude or omit, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, any feature or combination of features described herein. Additionally, numerous modifications and additions to the various embodiments suggested herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure without departing from the present disclosure. In other instances, well-known structures, interfaces, and processes have not been shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. It is intended that no portion of this specification should be construed as resulting in a disregard of any portion of the full scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the following description is intended to illustrate some specific embodiments of the present disclosure, but is not intended to exhaustively specify all permutations, combinations, and variations thereof.

[0014] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments or aspects only and are not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

[0015] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for the teachings relevant to the sentence and / or paragraph in which the reference appears. References to techniques employed herein are intended to refer to techniques commonly understood in the art, including variations of those techniques, or equivalent technique alternatives, that would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0016] US Patent Application Nos. 14 / 827,375 and 15 / 134,110 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0017] Unless the context indicates otherwise, it is specifically contemplated that the various features of the present disclosure described herein can be used in any combination. Further, the present disclosure contemplates that in some embodiments of the present disclosure, any feature or combination of features described herein can be excluded or omitted.

[0018] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The steps and / or actions of the methods may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the invention. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of an embodiment, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] As used in the description of this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0020] As used herein, "and / or" refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative ("or").

[0021] The terms "about" and "approximately" when used herein when referring to a measurable value such as length, frequency, or SEM value are meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, ±0.5%, or even ±0.1% of the specified amount.

[0022] As used herein, phrases such as "X to Y" and "about X to Y" should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, a phrase such as "about X to Y" means "about X to about Y," and a phrase such as "from about X to Y" means "from about X to about Y."

[0023] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprises", and "including" specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0024] As used herein, the transitional phrase "consisting essentially of" means that the claims shall be construed to include the specified materials or steps recited in the claim, as well as those that do not materially affect the basic and novel feature(s) of the claimed disclosure. Thus, the term "consisting essentially of," when used in the claims of this disclosure, is not intended to be construed as the equivalent of "comprising."

[0025] As used herein, the term "subepidermal water content" or "SEM" refers to an increase in tissue fluid and local edema caused by vascular leakage and other changes that alter the basic structure of injured tissue in the presence of sustained pressure on the tissue, apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammatory processes.

[0026] As used herein, a "system" can be a collection of devices in wired or wireless communication with each other.

[0027] As used herein, "transmitting" refers to the use of radio frequency energy that penetrates the patient's skin.

[0028] As used herein, a "patient" can be a human or animal subject.

[0029] As used herein, "third degree burn" refers to a full-thickness burn that penetrates the dermis and affects deeper tissues.

[0030] FIG. 1A discloses a toroidal bioimpedance sensor 90. In this exemplary configuration, a center electrode 110 is surrounded by a ring electrode 120. Without being limited to a particular theory, the gap between the two electrodes of the sensor 90 can affect the depth of electric field penetration into the substrate underlying the sensor 90. In embodiments, a ground plane (not visible in FIG. 1A ) is parallel to and spaced from the plane of the electrodes. In one embodiment, the ground plane extends beyond the outer diameter of the ring electrode 120. Without being limited to a particular theory, the ground plane can confine the electric field between the electrodes 110, 120 to a single side of the plane of the electrodes 110, 120, opposite the plane of the electrodes 110, 120 from the ground plane.

[0031] 1B discloses an ideal electric field map produced by the toroidal sensor of FIG. 1A when activated by a drive circuit (not shown in FIG. 1B). In one embodiment, when a voltage is applied across the two electrodes 110, 120, an electric field 140 is generated between the electrodes 110, 120 extending outward from the plane of the electrodes 110, 120 to a field depth 150. In embodiments, the diameter of the center electrode 110, the inner and outer diameters of the ring electrode 120, and the gap between the two electrodes 110, 120 may be varied to change the characteristics of the electric field 140, e.g., the field depth 150.

[0032] In use, the driver circuitry can measure electrical properties or parameters including one or more of resistance, capacitance, inductance, impedance, reluctance, or other electrical properties sensed by the electric field 140. Depending on the type of driver circuitry employed in the device, the device's sensors can be bipolar radio frequency sensors, bioimpedance sensors, capacitance sensors, or SEM sensors. In embodiments, the measured electrical parameters are related to the water content of the patient's epidermis at a depth determined by the geometry of the electrodes 110 and 120, the frequency and strength of the electric field 140, and other operational characteristics of the device driver circuitry. In one embodiment, the measured water content is equivalent to SEM content, which has a value on a predetermined scale. In an embodiment, the predetermined scale can range from 0 to 20, such as 0 to 1, 0 to 2, 0 to 3, 0 to 4, 0 to 5, 0 to 6, 0 to 7, 0 to 8, 0 to 9, 0 to 10, 0 to 11, 0 to 12, 0 to 13, 0 to 14, 0 to 15, 0 to 16, 0 to 17, 0 to 18, 0 to 19. In an embodiment, the predetermined scale can be scaled by a factor or multiple based on the values ​​provided herein.

[0033] 1C provides top and bottom views of an SEM scanner 170 that includes electronics that drive a sensor 174, similar to sensor 90 of FIG. 1A, to measure the capacitance between electrodes 110, 120. This capacitance is converted to an SEM value that is displayed on a display 176.

[0034] These aspects of the sensor 90 and SEM scanner 170 are disclosed in WO2016 / 172263, a filed application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 134,110.

[0035] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary electrode array 290 according to the present disclosure. In embodiments, array 290 is composed of individual electrodes 300 arranged in a regular pattern across substrate 292, in this example. In embodiments, each electrode 300 is individually coupled (through conductive elements not shown in FIGS. 2-4B) to a circuit such as that described with respect to FIG. 4A, configured to measure an electrical parameter. In one embodiment, a "virtual sensor" is created by selectively connecting a predetermined subset of electrodes 300 to a common element of the circuit. In one embodiment, a particular electrode 310 is connected as a center electrode, similar to electrode 110 in FIG. 1A, and six electrodes 320A-320F are connected collectively as a "virtual ring" electrode, similar to electrode 120 in FIG. 1A. In embodiments, two individual electrodes are individually connected to the circuit to form a virtual sensor. For example, electrodes 310 and 320A are each connected as two electrodes of a sensor. In one embodiment, one or more electrodes 300 are connected together to form one or the other electrode of a two-electrode sensor.

[0036] Any pair of electrodes, whether comprised of a single electrode or a set of electrodes linked together to form a virtual electrode, is coupled to electronics configured to measure electrical properties or parameters including one or more of resistance, capacitance, inductance, impedance, reluctance, or other electrical characteristics of one or more of sensors 90, 174, 290, 430, 440, or other two-electrode sensors.

[0037] 3 depicts another exemplary array 400 of electrodes 410 according to the present disclosure. In an embodiment, each of the electrodes 410 is approximately hexagonal, separated from each of the electrodes 410 by a gap 420. In one embodiment, the electrodes 410 are circular, square, pentagonal, or one of other regular or irregular shapes. In an embodiment, the gap 420 is uniform among all of the electrodes 410. In one embodiment, the gap 420 varies among various electrodes. In an embodiment, the electrodes 410 may be interconnected to form a virtual sensor as described below with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0038] 4A depicts an array 400 of electrodes 410 configured to form a sensor 430, e.g., connected to a measurement circuit, according to the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a single hexagonal electrode 410 labeled "1" forms a center electrode, and a ring of electrodes 410 marked "2" are interconnected to form a ring electrode. In an embodiment, the electrodes 410 between the center electrode and the ring electrode are electrically "floating." In one embodiment, the electrodes 410 between the center electrode and the ring electrode are grounded or connected to a floating ground. In one embodiment, the electrodes 410 outside the ring electrode are electrically "floating." In an embodiment, the electrodes 410 outside the virtual ring electrode are grounded or connected to a floating ground.

[0039] 4B depicts an alternative embodiment in which an array 400 of electrodes 410 is configured to form a virtual sensor 440, according to the present disclosure. In an embodiment, multiple electrodes 410, indicated by a "1," are interconnected to form a center electrode, while a double-wide ring of electrodes, indicated by a "2," are interconnected to form a ring electrode. In one embodiment, various numbers and positions of electrodes 410 are interconnected to form virtual electrodes of various sizes and shapes.

[0040] FIG. 5A depicts an example wound, in this case a third-degree burn 500 with an open wound 510. The tissue response around a third-degree burn can include three zones. In embodiments, the innermost zone 520 at the center of the wound will have necrosis with no oxygen perfusion and irreversible damage due to protein coagulation. In one embodiment, the second zone 530, also known as the "zone of stasis," is a ring around the first zone 520 where there is reduced perfusion and reduced SEM. Without being limited to a particular theory, capillaries may be non-functional in the second zone 530, leading to capillary and arteriolar permeability and subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury. If the cascade of free radical release and cell damage that leads to apoptosis can be prevented, there may be an opportunity for tissue recovery in the second zone 530. In embodiments, surrounding the second zone 530 is a zone of hyperemia 540 where tissue is damaged but maintains good perfusion and will generally heal. Without being limited to a particular theory, the size, shape, and depth of the wound 510, as well as the areas 520, 530, 540, depend on the specifics of the event that caused the injury. In accordance with the present disclosure, assessment of burn depth and extent is one component on which treatment decisions are based, as inaccuracies can lead to unnecessary surgery or a significant length of patient stay.

[0041] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of burn 500 shown in Figure 5A taken along line AA of Figure 5A. In an embodiment, first region 520 may extend to both sides under open wound 510. In one embodiment, region 530 may extend under one or both of open wound 510 and region 520. In an embodiment, at a distance from open wound 510 there will be undamaged or "normal" tissue 540.

[0042] According to the present disclosure, burns can be characterized as "partial-thickness" or "full-thickness" burns, depending on whether the damaged areas 530 and 540 extend through the skin into the subcutaneous tissue. Superficial partial-thickness injuries, such as second-degree burn blisters, are viable and will generally heal with antibacterial dressings. Deep partial-thickness wounds are closer to full-thickness burns and may require surgical excision and grafting for improved functional and cosmetic outcomes. Partial-thickness wounds are complex to treat because it is difficult to determine whether viable structures are present to allow the wound to heal. Because superficial burns may undergo surgery for healing wounds, any imprecision associated with the diagnosis may affect treatment.

[0043] Burn injuries are challenging because they are dynamic and have the ability to change and progress over time. Heating the tissue in area 520 resulted in complete necrosis of the dermis and entire dermal structures, along with fat necrosis. Without being limited to a particular theory, the water content of area 520 is lower than normal and remains low after injury due to local vascular collapse, which prevents return of blood to the necrotic area.

[0044] Without being limited to a particular theory, in zone 530, the return of blood flow after the initial heat exposure restores perfusion and oxygenation. Without being limited to theory, restoration of oxygenation may not only be important for cell survival, but also initiates a cascade of events that result in the production of free radicals, which leads to further tissue damage. Burn edema accumulation can occur in a two-phase pattern. In the first phase, there is a rapid increase in interstitial fluid within one hour after injury, with approximately 80% of the total edema present by four hours after injury. The second phase is characterized by a gradual increase in fluid accumulation over the following 12 to 24 hours. In non-burn injuries, fluid movement from capillaries to the interstitium may generally be balanced by lymphatic clearance to prevent excess fluid accumulation. However, in burn injuries, without being limited to theory, the movement of fluid and proteins into the extravascular space can occur very rapidly, and edema results as the lymphatics are unable to keep up with the clearance of fluid and proteins. Thus, again without being limited to a particular theory, in embodiments, the amount of edema in area 540 is less than in area 530, but the amount of SEM is still elevated above normal. Mapping the pattern of edema allows for an assessment of which tissues are at risk.

[0045] 6 depicts an example plot 600 of how SEM values ​​may vary across a burn 500, according to the present disclosure. SEM values ​​taken along cross section AA are plotted as curve 610, with the x-axis being position along cross section AA and the y-axis being SEM values. Reference line 612 indicates the normal tissue SEM value, which may be a standard reference value or a measurement of known undamaged tissue in a patient.

[0046] In an embodiment, curve 610 generally exhibits a region 620 where the SEM value is higher than baseline 612. In an embodiment, curve 610 in region 620 may be only slightly higher, as shown at the bottom of the shaded region, or may be significantly higher, as shown at the top of shaded region 620. In an embodiment, peak value 622 in region 620 is an indication of the extent or depth of damage in area 530.

[0047] In one embodiment, point 630 on curve 610 marks the transition from zone 530 to zone 540. In an embodiment, the SEM value is higher than baseline 612, but not elevated enough to indicate a risk that the tissue will not heal. In one embodiment, the location of the transition from zone 530 to zone 540 can be identified on curve 610 as the x-axis location of point 630 using a known degree of SEM value. In an embodiment, the degree of SEM value at point 630 can be a value selected from the group consisting of a predetermined value, a predetermined rise above a baseline SEM value, a percentage of the baseline SEM value, a percentage of peak value 622, and other values ​​determined from curve 610.

[0048] In embodiments, the predetermined SEM value can be in the range of 0.1 to 8.0, such as 0.1 to 1.0, 1.1 to 2.0, 2.1 to 3.0, 3.1 to 4.0, 4.1 to 5.0, 5.1 to 6.0, 6.1 to 7.0, 7.1 to 8.0, 0.1 to 7.5, 0.5 to 8.0, 1.0 to 7.0, 1.5 to 6.5, 2.0 to 6.0, 3.0 to 5.5, 3.5 to 5.0, or 4.0 to 4.5. In an embodiment, the predetermined SEM value can be in the range of 0.1 to 4.0, such as 0.5 to 4.0, 0.1 to 3.5, 1.0 to 3.5, 1.5 to 4.0, 1.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 4.0, 2.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 3.0, 2.0 to 2.5, or 2.5 to 3.0. In one embodiment, the predetermined SEM value can be in the range of 4.1 to 8.0, such as 4.5 to 8.0, 4.1 to 7.5, 5.0 to 7.5, 5.5 to 7.0, 5.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 8.0, 6.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 7.0, 6.0 to 6.5, or 6.5 to 7.0. In one embodiment, the predetermined SEM value is about 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 , 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5. In embodiments, a given SEM value can be scaled by a factor or multiple based on the values ​​provided herein.

[0049] In embodiments, the predetermined increase can be in the range of 0.1 to 8.0, such as 0.1 to 1.0, 1.1 to 2.0, 2.1 to 3.0, 3.1 to 4.0, 4.1 to 5.0, 5.1 to 6.0, 6.1 to 7.0, 7.1 to 8.0, 0.1 to 7.5, 0.5 to 8.0, 1.0 to 7.0, 1.5 to 6.5, 2.0 to 6.0, 3.0 to 5.5, 3.5 to 5.0, or 4.0 to 4.5. In embodiments, the predetermined increase can be in the range of 0.1 to 4.0, such as 0.5 to 4.0, 0.1 to 3.5, 1.0 to 3.5, 1.5 to 4.0, 1.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 4.0, 2.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 3.0, 2.0 to 2.5, or 2.5 to 3.0. In one embodiment, the predetermined increase can be in the range of 4.1 to 8.0, such as 4.5 to 8.0, 4.1 to 7.5, 5.0 to 7.5, 5.5 to 7.0, 5.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 8.0, 6.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 7.0, 6.0 to 6.5, or 6.5 to 7.0. In one embodiment, the predetermined increase is about 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, The increase can be 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5. In embodiments, the predetermined increase can be scaled by a factor or multiple based on the values ​​provided herein.

[0050] In one embodiment, the reference SEM value is represented by reference line 612. In embodiments, the reference SEM value can be in the range of 0.1 to 8.0, such as 0.1 to 1.0, 1.1 to 2.0, 2.1 to 3.0, 3.1 to 4.0, 4.1 to 5.0, 5.1 to 6.0, 6.1 to 7.0, 7.1 to 8.0, 0.1 to 7.5, 0.5 to 8.0, 1.0 to 7.0, 1.5 to 6.5, 2.0 to 6.0, 3.0 to 5.5, 3.5 to 5.0, or 4.0 to 4.5. In an embodiment, the reference SEM value can be in the range of 0.1 to 4.0, such as 0.5 to 4.0, 0.1 to 3.5, 1.0 to 3.5, 1.5 to 4.0, 1.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 4.0, 2.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 3.0, 2.0 to 2.5, or 2.5 to 3.0. In one embodiment, the reference SEM value can be in the range of 4.1 to 8.0, such as 4.5 to 8.0, 4.1 to 7.5, 5.0 to 7.5, 5.5 to 7.0, 5.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 8.0, 6.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 7.0, 6.0 to 6.5, or 6.5 to 7.0. In one embodiment, the reference SEM value is about 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, The standard SEM value may be 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5. In embodiments, the standard SEM value may be scaled by a factor or multiple based on the values ​​provided herein.

[0051] In embodiments, the peak value can be in the range of 0.1 to 8.0, such as 0.1 to 1.0, 1.1 to 2.0, 2.1 to 3.0, 3.1 to 4.0, 4.1 to 5.0, 5.1 to 6.0, 6.1 to 7.0, 7.1 to 8.0, 0.1 to 7.5, 0.5 to 8.0, 1.0 to 7.0, 1.5 to 6.5, 2.0 to 6.0, 3.0 to 5.5, 3.5 to 5.0, or 4.0 to 4.5. In embodiments, the peak value can be in the range of 0.1 to 4.0, such as 0.5 to 4.0, 0.1 to 3.5, 1.0 to 3.5, 1.5 to 4.0, 1.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 4.0, 2.5 to 3.5, 2.0 to 3.0, 2.0 to 2.5, or 2.5 to 3.0. In one embodiment, the peak value can be in the range of 4.1 to 8.0, such as 4.5 to 8.0, 4.1 to 7.5, 5.0 to 7.5, 5.5 to 7.0, 5.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 8.0, 6.5 to 7.5, 6.0 to 7.0, 6.0 to 6.5, or 6.5 to 7.0. In one embodiment, the peak value is about 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, 4.24, 4.25, 4.26, 4.27, 4.28, 4.29, 5.30, 5.31, 5.32, 5.33, 5.34, 5.35, 5.36, 5.37, 5.38, 5.39, 5.40, 5.41, 5.42, 5.43, 5.44, 5.45, 5.46, 5.47, 5.48, 5.49, 5.50, 5.51, 5.52, 5.53, 5.54, In some embodiments, the peak value may be 0.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5. In some embodiments, the peak value may be scaled by a factor or multiple based on the values ​​provided herein.

[0052] One or more regions may be defined on the body. In embodiments, measurements obtained within a region are considered equivalent to one another. A region may be defined as an area on the skin of the body where measurements can be taken at any point within the region. In embodiments, a region corresponds to an anatomical region (e.g., heel, ankle, hip). In embodiments, a region may be defined as a set of two or more specific points for an anatomical characteristic where measurements are taken only at the specific points. In embodiments, a region may include multiple non-contiguous regions on the body. In embodiments, a set of specific locations may include points in multiple non-contiguous regions.

[0053] In embodiments, the region is defined by a surface area. In embodiments, the region is, for example, between 5 and 200 cm. 2 , 5~100cm 2 , 5~50cm 2 , or 10 to 50 cm 2 , 10~25cm 2 , or 5 to 25 cm 2 It could be.

[0054] In some embodiments, measurements can be taken in a specific pattern or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the pattern of readings is taken in a pattern with a target area of ​​interest at the center. In some embodiments, measurements are taken in one or more circular patterns of increasing or decreasing size, a T-shaped pattern, a set of specific locations, or randomly across tissues or regions. In some embodiments, the pattern can be placed on the body by defining a first measurement location of the pattern relative to the anatomy, and the remaining measurement locations of the pattern can be defined as offsets from the first measurement location.

[0055] In embodiments, multiple measurements are taken across a tissue or region, and the difference between the lowest and highest measurement of the multiple measurements is recorded as the delta value of the multiple measurements. In embodiments, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 9 or more, or 10 or more measurements are taken across a tissue or region.

[0056] In embodiments, a threshold value may be established for at least one region. In embodiments, a threshold value of 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or other value may be established for at least one region. In embodiments, a delta value is identified as significant when the delta value of multiple measurements taken within a region is equal to or greater than the threshold value associated with that region. In embodiments, each of the multiple regions has a different threshold value. In embodiments, two or more regions may share a common threshold value.

[0057] In embodiments, the threshold has both a delta value component and a time-dependent component, where the delta value is identified as significant when it is higher than a predetermined value for a predetermined portion of the time interval. In embodiments, the predetermined portion of the time interval is defined as at least X days during which multiple measurements taken on that day result in a delta value higher than or equal to a predetermined value within a total of Y consecutive days of measurements. In embodiments, the predetermined portion of the time interval may be defined as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days during which multiple measurements taken on that day result in a delta value higher than or equal to a predetermined value. In embodiments, the predetermined portion of the time interval may be defined as any portion of a different specific period (such as a week, month, hour, etc.).

[0058] In aspects, the threshold has a trend aspect where changes in delta values ​​of consecutive measurements are compared to one another. In aspects, the trend threshold is defined as a predetermined change in delta value over a predetermined length of time, and a determination that the threshold has been met or exceeded is significant. In aspects, an alert is issued upon a significant determination. In aspects, a trend line can be calculated from a portion of the individual measurements of the consecutive measurements. In aspects, a trend line can be calculated from a portion of the delta values ​​of the consecutive measurements.

[0059] In an embodiment, the number of measurements taken in a single region may be less than the number of measurements defined in the pattern. In an embodiment, a delta value is calculated after a predetermined initial number of readings, less than the number of measurement locations defined in the pattern, are taken in a region and after each additional reading in the same region, where no additional readings are taken if the delta value meets or exceeds a threshold associated with that region.

[0060] In aspects, the number of measurements taken within a single region may exceed the number of measurement locations defined in the pattern, hi aspects, a delta value will be calculated after each additional reading.

[0061] In embodiments, a quality metric may be generated for each of the multiple measurements. In embodiments, the quality metric is selected to assess the repeatability of the measurements. In embodiments, the quality metric is selected to assess the skill of the clinician who took the measurements. In embodiments, the quality metric may include one or more statistical parameters, such as the mean, average, or standard deviation. In embodiments, the quality metric may include one or more comparisons of individual measurements to a predetermined range. In embodiments, the quality metric may include a comparison of individual measurements to a pattern of values, such as a comparison of measurements at predefined locations to a range associated with each defined location. In embodiments, the quality metric may include a determination that the measurements are made across healthy tissue and one or more assessments of agreement within this subset of "healthy" measurements, such as a range, standard deviation, or other parameter.

[0062] In one embodiment, the measurement, e.g., the threshold, is determined by an SEM Scanner Model 200 (Bruin Biometrics, LLC, Los Angeles, Calif.) In another embodiment, the measurement is determined by another SEM scanner.

[0063] In embodiments, measurements are based on capacitance measurements with reference to a reference device. In embodiments, capacitance measurements can be due to the position of any electrodes on the device and other aspects. Such variations can be compared to a reference SEM device, such as an SEM Scanner Model 200 (Bruin Biometrics, LLC, Los Angeles, California). Those skilled in the art will understand that measurements described herein can be adjusted to fall within a differential capacitance range by reference to a reference device.

[0064] In embodiments, percentages according to the present disclosure may range from 0 to 100%, such as 0 to 50%, 25 to 75%, 50 to 100%, 0 to 10%, 5 to 15%, 10 to 20%, 15 to 25%, 20 to 30%, 25 to 35%, 30 to 40%, 35 to 45%, 40 to 50%, 0 to 25%, 15 to 35%, 25 to 50%, 45 to 55%, 50 to 60%, 55 to 65%, 60 to 70%, 65 to 75%, 40 to 55%, 50 to 75%, 70 to 80%, 75% to 85%, 80 to 90%, 85 to 95%, 90 to 100%, 65 to 85%, or 75 to 100%. In one embodiment, a percentage according to the present disclosure can be about 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%.

[0065] In an embodiment, point 640 on curve 610 indicates the transition from area 530 where edema occurs to area 520 where tissue has below-normal water content. In one embodiment, a measured SEM value equal to the normal value of reference line 612 indicates that a portion of the sensor is over tissue with a higher-than-normal water content, while the remainder of the sensor is over tissue with a lower-than-normal water content. In an embodiment, point 640 on line AA is approximately the location of the edge of area 520. Marking the skin at this point provides a reference for the surgeon of the edge of the necrotic tissue when it is desired to remove necrotic tissue from the patient.

[0066] In one embodiment, serial measurements of SEM values ​​at one or more points proximate the open wound 510, for example, at 30-minute intervals for the first four hours, provide information regarding the extent of damage to the tissue. In an embodiment, serial measurements can be performed at approximately 5-minute, 10-minute, 15-minute, 20-minute, 25-minute, 35-minute, 40-minute, 45-minute, 50-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, or 120-minute intervals. In one embodiment, serial measurements can be performed at time intervals of 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, or 12 hours after injury. In an embodiment, the values ​​and locations of points 622 over the first four hours after injury can indicate burn depth and tissue depth risk in a particular region. The outward progression of peak SEM values ​​on the x-axis can indicate the severity of reperfusion injury.

[0067] In one embodiment, SEM value measurements can be taken, logged, plotted, and assessed using a single sensor device such as SEM scanner 170 of FIG. 1B.

[0068] Other types of wounds, such as incised wounds, may suffer from areas of tissue death adjacent to the open wound 510. Because the level of edema is still an indicator of tissue viability, the same detection and classification methods would provide valuable information to clinicians treating the injury. Thus, the methods and devices described for the exemplary burn injury may also be applicable to other types of injuries.

[0069] The methods and devices disclosed herein may also be used to track the healing process of wounds, such as burns, incisions, ulcers, and other types of tissue injury. Closure of the skin over a wound does not mark the end of the healing process; it can take up to a year after skin closure for the subepidermal tissue to return to its original state. Assessment of circulation at the site of the original wound will indicate whether healing continues to progress or has stalled or reversed. For example, pressure ulcers are known to suffer a high rate of recurrence in the same location as the primary ulcer. This is believed to be the result of sustained pressure at the site combined with weakened tissue structures resulting from incomplete healing. Without continuous measurements of tissue status, for example, using an SEM scanner, caregivers may consider a closed wound to be healed and not pursue therapy that would prevent recurrence. Measurements of surrounding tissue at sites distant from the original wound can serve as a benchmark for "normal" tissue measurements. The trend of change in measurements at the former wound site to this baseline, or lack thereof, provides continued assurance that the tissue is in transition toward a fully healed state.

[0070] Monitoring this tissue improvement after the wound has healed is also useful for monitoring the outcome and efficacy of wound healing therapies. By way of example, an electrical stimulation device may be used once the wound is closed to accelerate the healing process of the underlying tissue. Healing progress can be difficult, if not impossible, to assess manually or visually. An SEM scanning device may be used to establish one or more of the following: SEM measurements at the site of the closed wound, measurement and trend analysis of circulation to verify the effectiveness of the healing device, and measurements of adjacent tissue as a reference for fully healed tissue. In certain embodiments, adjustments may be made to the healing device, such as changes in the frequency or voltage of the electrical stimulation device, based on measurements or trending of measurements obtained by the SEM scanner. In certain embodiments, use of a healing device or therapy may be suspended or replaced with a different device or therapy based on SEM measurements or trends. In certain embodiments, a wound may be deemed "healed" based on SEM measurements, and healing therapy may be suspended, altered, or replaced with conservative therapy. In certain embodiments, the difference between the current SEM reading at the wound site and the reference value from near-healthy tissue is a measure of the degree of tissue healing at the wound site, where a difference of 0 is complete healing and restoration to its original state.

[0071] FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of an SEM detection apparatus 700 according to the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a flexible substrate 710 has multiple SEM sensors 720 disposed on a common surface of the substrate 710. In an embodiment, the sensors 720 comprise toroidal sensors 90 as shown in FIG. 1A. In one embodiment, the sensors 720 comprise electrode arrays 290 as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the sensors 720 comprise electrode arrays 400 as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the sensors 720 are coupled to electronics (not shown in FIG. 7) that provide excitation and measure SEM values ​​of tissue underlying each sensor 720.

[0072] In an embodiment, the SEM detection apparatus 700 includes a visual indicator 730 disposed on the substrate 710. In one embodiment, the visual indicator 730 is on a first surface of the substrate 710, while the sensors 720 are on a second surface of the substrate 710 opposite the first surface. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 730 is disposed between at least some pairs of the sensors 720. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 730 can be a light-emitting diode (LED). In an embodiment, the visual indicator 730 can emit light of one color. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 730 can selectably emit one of a plurality of colors of light. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 730 is selectable to be on or off. In an embodiment, the visual indicator 730 is coupled to electronics (not shown in FIG. 7 ) that provides excitation and selectable control of the visual indicator 730.

[0073] In embodiments, the electronics of the present disclosure activate each visual indicator 730 with a color of light selected based on the SEM value measured by sensors 90 located on each side of each visual indicator 730. This provides a color-coded map of the various zones 520, 530, and 540 for a given wound 500.

[0074] In one embodiment, visual indicator 730 can be disposed on the same surface of substrate 710 as sensor 720. In an embodiment, visual indicator 730 comprises a marking element (not shown in FIG. 7) that can selectively mark the patient's skin on which SEM detection device 700 is placed. In an embodiment, electronics of the present disclosure can activate a marking element of visual indicator 720 that is positioned along one or more of the boundaries between the zones of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In one embodiment, electronics of the present disclosure can activate a marking element to mark the boundary between zones 520 and 530 that indicates the outer edge of non-viable tissue.

[0075] 8A and 8B disclose an embodiment of an SEM sensing assembly 702 according to the present disclosure. In one embodiment, an array 740 of electrodes 742 is disposed on a substrate 712. In an embodiment, the electrodes 742 are similar to the electrodes 300 of FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the electrodes 742 are similar to the electrodes 410 of FIG. 3.

[0076] In an embodiment, the SEM sensing device 702 comprises a plurality of holes 750. In one embodiment, the holes 750 are positioned between pairs of electrodes 742, as shown in FIG. 8B. In use, the SEM sensing device 702 can be placed on a patient's skin overlying a wound, and a clinician makes marks on the patient's skin as guided by the SEM values ​​measured between the various pairs of electrodes 742.

[0077] In an embodiment, the SEM detection device 700 may include both visual indicators 730 and holes 750, allowing the clinician to mark the patient's skin as guided by the colors of the various visual indicators 730.

[0078] FIG. 9 discloses an embodiment of an apparatus 800 for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound according to the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a patient's arm 20 has a burn 501 with an open wound 511. In an embodiment, the apparatus 800 includes an instrument head 810 extending from the arm 20 having an optical system 815 including a camera (not visible in FIG. 9 ) that views an area 825 on the arm 20 and a projector (not visible in FIG. 9 ) that can project one or more images onto the area 825, encompassing the wound 511 as well as the tissue surrounding the wound 511. In one embodiment, an SEM detection device 840 is coupled to electronics (not shown in FIG. 9 ) that also controls the optical system 815. In an embodiment, the SEM detection device 840 is coupled to the electronics of the present disclosure via a cable 845. In an embodiment, the SEM detection device 840 includes a wireless connection instead of a cable 845. In one embodiment, SEM sensing device 840 includes a fiducial 850 that is visible to the camera when device 800 is in use. In an embodiment, SEM sensing device 840 includes a single bioimpedance sensor and therefore measures ECF at a single point at a time.

[0079] In use, a user can obtain multiple measurements using SEM sensing device 840 in region 825. During each measurement, a camera can observe and record the position of fiducial 850 in its field of view. In embodiments, a fiducial indicator (not shown in FIG. 9 ) can be obtained on arm 20 to record the position of arm 20 within the field of view and allow movement of arm 20 during assessment. As a set of measurements increases, the electronics of the present disclosure determine the location of boundaries between tissue types, for example, boundaries between viable and nonviable tissue, and cause the projector to project a display image along this boundary. In FIG. 9 , these images are shown as points 710. In embodiments, the projected image can include lines, colored regions, regions shaded from a first color to a second color, regions shaded from one color intensity to a different intensity of the same color, or other visual indications that provide guidance regarding the condition of the tissue in region 825.

[0080] In one embodiment, the electronics of the present disclosure can be coupled to a printer (not shown in FIG. 9 ) to cause a printer to produce a photograph of the arm 20 with the wound 511 taken by the camera and overlaid with indicators equivalent to those described as being provided by a projector. In an embodiment, the measurements can be repeated using the SEM detection device 840 and new photographs can be printed, thereby creating a photographic history of the progression of damage around the wound. In one embodiment, the electronics of the present disclosure can be coupled to a storage device, for example, a server, and configured to store information regarding the images of the arm 20 and the wound 511, as well as measurements and the locations of the measurements taken one or more times by the SEM detection device 840.

[0081] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention can be embodied in a variety of ways, including but not limited to the following.

[0082] Embodiment 1. An apparatus for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be positioned across an area of ​​tissue including the wound, the combination of the electrodes being capable of forming a plurality of virtual capacitance sensors, each of the virtual capacitance sensors configured to measure the capacitance of an area of ​​tissue proximate to a respective virtual capacitance sensor; a plurality of visual indicators embedded on the substrate; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the electrodes and the visual indicators; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium electronically coupled to the processor and containing stored instructions that, when executed on the processor, perform the steps of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance from a subset of the plurality of virtual capacitance sensors via the drive circuit; determining a boundary between viable tissue and non-viable tissue; and activating a portion of the plurality of visual indicators via the drive circuit to indicate the boundary.

[0083] Embodiment 2. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of holes that allow for marking of the tissue along the border.

[0084] Embodiment 3. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to selectively activate the pair of electrodes and measure the capacitance between each of the pair of electrodes.

[0085] Embodiment 4. The apparatus of embodiment 3, wherein each of the selectively driven pairs of electrodes forms one of a plurality of virtual capacitance sensors.

[0086] Embodiment 5. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to selectively drive a subset of the plurality of electrodes to form a virtual center electrode and a virtual ring electrode, and measure the capacitance between the virtual center electrode and the virtual ring electrode.

[0087] Embodiment 6. An apparatus as described in embodiment 5, wherein each of the plurality of virtual capacitance sensors comprises a virtual center electrode and a virtual ring electrode.

[0088] Embodiment 7. The device of embodiment 1, wherein the instructions further include converting each measured capacitance to an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value associated with the virtual capacitance sensor used to measure the capacitance; comparing a first portion of the SEM value to a first threshold; and identifying as viable regions of tissue corresponding to virtual capacitance sensors associated with SEM values ​​higher than the first threshold.

[0089] Embodiment 8. The device of embodiment 7, wherein the instructions further include comparing a second portion of the SEM value to a second threshold, and identifying regions of tissue corresponding to virtual capacitance sensors associated with SEM values ​​lower than the second threshold as non-viable.

[0090] Embodiment 9. The device of embodiment 7, wherein each of the plurality of visual indicators independently has a first display mode and a second display mode.

[0091] Embodiment 10. The device of embodiment 9, wherein the instructions further include activating a third portion of the plurality of visual indicators in the first display mode to indicate areas of viable tissue, and activating a fourth portion of the plurality of visual indicators in the second display mode to indicate areas of non-viable tissue.

[0092] Embodiment 11. The device of embodiment 9, wherein the visual indicator is a light-emitting element (LED), the first display mode comprises an emission having a first characteristic, and the second display mode comprises an emission having a second characteristic.

[0093] Embodiment 12. The apparatus of embodiment 11, wherein the first characteristic includes a first spectral component and the second characteristic includes a second spectral component different from the first spectral component.

[0094] Embodiment 13. An apparatus for determining burn depth, comprising: a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes being capable of forming a capacitance sensor configured to measure the capacitance of a region of tissue proximate the pair of electrodes; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the capacitance sensor; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including stored instructions, when executed on the processor, that perform the steps of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance from the capacitance sensor via the drive circuit, comparing the information to a data array including a plurality of pairs of capacitance and burn depth, and determining a burn depth associated with the measured capacitance.

[0095] Embodiment 14. The device of embodiment 13, wherein the step of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance includes receiving a first capacitance measured at a first location in known unaffected tissue, receiving a second capacitance measured at a second location within the burn, and determining a capacitance difference between the first capacitance and the second capacitance, wherein the data array includes pairwise capacitance differences and burn depths, wherein the step of comparing the information with the data array includes comparing the capacitance difference with the data array, and wherein the step of determining burn depths includes identifying a burn depth associated with the capacitance difference.

[0096] Embodiment 15. The device of embodiment 13, wherein the instructions further include converting each measured capacitance into an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value, the data array including pairs of SEM values ​​and burn depths, the comparing the information to the data array including comparing the SEM values ​​to the data array, and the determining the burn depth including identifying the burn depth associated with the SEM value.

[0097] Embodiment 16. An apparatus for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be positioned over a portion of an area of ​​tissue including the wound, wherein a pair of electrodes can form a capacitance sensor, the pair of electrodes being a capacitance sensor configured to measure the capacitance of an area of ​​tissue proximate to the capacitance sensor; a projector capable of projecting a visual indicator onto the area of ​​tissue including the wound; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the projector; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium electronically coupled to the processor and including stored instructions that, when executed on the processor, perform the steps of receiving information regarding the measured capacitance from one or more of the formed capacitance sensors, determining a first boundary between a first type of tissue and a second type of tissue, and causing the projector to project a visual indicator to indicate the boundary.

[0098] Embodiment 17. The device of embodiment 16, wherein the first type of tissue is viable tissue and the second type of tissue is non-viable tissue.

[0099] Embodiment 18. The device described in embodiment 17, wherein the first boundary is identified by converting each measured capacitance into an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value associated with the capacitance sensor used to measure the capacitance, identifying regions of tissue corresponding to capacitance sensors associated with SEM values ​​higher than a threshold as viable, identifying regions of tissue corresponding to capacitance sensors associated with SEM values ​​lower than the threshold as non-viable, and marking a first boundary between the viable and non-viable regions.

[0100] Embodiment 19. The apparatus of embodiment 16, wherein the instructions further comprise determining a second boundary between the second type of tissue and the third type of tissue.

[0101] Embodiment 20. The device of embodiment 19, wherein the first type of tissue is necrotic tissue, the second type of tissue is tissue in a zone of stasis, and the third type of tissue is tissue in a zone of hyperemia.

[0102] Embodiment 21. The first and second boundaries convert each measured capacitance into an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value associated with the capacitance sensor used to measure the capacitance; identifying as necrotic tissue the region of tissue corresponding to the capacitance sensor associated with an SEM value lower than a first threshold; marking a first boundary on the outer edge of the necrotic tissue region; and immediately surrounding the necrotic tissue region, the first boundary corresponding to the capacitance sensor associated with an SEM value higher than the first threshold up to a peak SEM value. and tissue immediately surrounding the location associated with the peak SEM value and corresponding to a capacitance sensor associated with an SEM value higher than a second threshold; marking a second boundary on an outer edge of the stasis zone; and identifying a region of tissue in the hyperemic zone including tissue immediately surrounding the stasis zone and corresponding to a capacitance sensor associated with an SEM value lower than the second threshold but higher than the first threshold.

[0103] Embodiment 22. A method for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, comprising: obtaining capacitance measurements using a plurality of electrodes across an area of ​​tissue including the wound; converting each measured capacitance to an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value; and marking a first boundary encompassing an area of ​​tissue associated with an SEM value below a first threshold.

[0104] Embodiment 23. The method of embodiment 22, further comprising marking a second boundary encompassing a region of tissue surrounding the first boundary and associated with SEM values ​​up to and including the location associated with the peak SEM value that are higher than a first threshold, and a region of tissue immediately surrounding the location associated with the peak SEM value and associated with SEM values ​​higher than a second threshold.

[0105] While the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but rather that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A device for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, comprising: a plurality of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be positioned across a portion of a region of tissue including the wound, the plurality of electrodes being capable of combining to form a plurality of virtual capacitance sensors, each of the virtual capacitance sensors including two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and configured to measure the capacitance of a region of tissue proximate each of the virtual capacitance sensors; a projector capable of projecting a visual indicator onto the area of ​​the tissue containing the wound; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the projector; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuitry; electronically coupled to the processor and, when executed on the processor, receiving information regarding one or more of the measured capacitances from a subset of the plurality of virtual capacitive sensors via the drive circuitry; determining a first boundary between a first type of tissue and a second type of tissue, the first boundary being determined by: (i) converting each of the one or more measured capacitances to an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value associated with each of the virtual capacitance sensors used to measure the capacitance; (ii) determining an area of ​​the first type of tissue corresponding to each of the virtual capacitance sensors associated with an SEM value higher than a threshold; and (iii) determining an area of ​​the second type of tissue corresponding to each of the virtual capacitance sensors associated with an SEM value lower than the threshold; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including stored instructions for performing the step of: causing the projector to project the visual indicator to indicate the first boundary.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first type of tissue is viable tissue and the second type of tissue is non-viable tissue.

3. 1. A device for mapping an area of ​​damage around a wound, comprising: a plurality of electrodes embedded on a substrate configured to be positioned across a portion of a region of tissue including the wound, the plurality of electrodes being capable of combining to form a plurality of virtual capacitance sensors, each of the virtual capacitance sensors including two or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes and configured to measure the capacitance of a region of tissue proximate each of the virtual capacitance sensors; a projector capable of projecting a visual indicator onto the area of ​​the tissue containing the wound; a drive circuit electronically coupled to the plurality of electrodes and the projector; a processor electronically coupled to the drive circuitry; electronically coupled to the processor and, when executed on the processor, receiving information regarding one or more of the measured capacitances from a subset of the plurality of virtual capacitive sensors via the drive circuit; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising stored instructions for performing the steps of: determining a first boundary between a first type of tissue and a second type of tissue; and determining a second boundary between the second type of tissue and a third type of tissue, wherein the first type of tissue is necrotic tissue, the second type of tissue is tissue in a zone of stasis, and the third type of tissue is tissue in a zone of hyperemia; The first and second boundaries are: converting each of the one or more measured capacitances into an associated subepidermal water content (SEM) value associated with each of the virtual capacitance sensors used to measure the capacitance; determining an area of ​​necrotic tissue corresponding to each of the virtual capacitive sensors associated with an SEM value below a first threshold; causing the projector to project the visual indicator to indicate the first boundary on an outer edge of the necrotic tissue; determining the stasis zone including tissue immediately surrounding the necrotic tissue, a region of tissue corresponding to each of the virtual capacitance sensors associated with SEM values ​​up to a peak SEM value higher than the first threshold and including a location associated with the peak SEM value, the region associated with the peak SEM value, and a region corresponding to each of the virtual capacitance sensors associated with SEM values ​​higher than a second threshold; causing the projector to project the visual indicator to indicate the second boundary on an outer edge of the stasis zone; determining the hyperemia zone to include tissue immediately surrounding the stasis zone and an area of ​​tissue corresponding to each of the virtual capacitance sensors associated with an SEM value lower than the second threshold but higher than the first threshold.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of virtual capacitance sensors includes a virtual center electrode and a virtual ring electrode.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the substrate has a plurality of holes that allow the area of ​​tissue to be marked along the boundary.

6. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator of the boundary is selected from the group consisting of a dot, a line, a colored area, a shaded area from a first color to a second color, and a shaded area from a color intensity to a different intensity of the same color.

7. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises stored instructions that, when executed on the processor, perform the step of transmitting the information to a remote device selected from the group consisting of a computer, a tablet, a mobile device, and a wearable device.

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