Fluorescence Wound Imaging for Real-Time Infection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound care methods lack a non-invasive, real-time imaging technology to objectively assess biological and molecular changes in wounds, leading to delayed and inaccurate detection of bacterial infections and compromised healing processes.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence-based imaging device for wound assessment that provides high-resolution, real-time imaging of biochemical and organic substances, enabling early detection of bacterial contamination and infection, and guiding targeted swab/biopsy collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct visual inspection under white light is used for wound assessment, then the method is simple and non-invasive, but it only provides gross view and cannot detect underlying biological and molecular changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of white light visualization with a fluorescence-based detection system. The fluorescence microscope enables detection of biological and molecular changes through fluorescent labeling of specific tissues or molecules, providing detailed information about wound healing processes, bacterial presence, and molecular markers without requiring invasive biopsy procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluorescence color changes to detect different biological structures and processes. Different fluorescent dyes or fluorophores emit at different wavelengths, allowing simultaneous or sequential visualization of multiple targets such as collagen, bacteria, or molecular markers. This color-coded detection system transforms invisible molecular changes into visible signals for analysis.
2Measurement precision
If bacterial swabs and tissue biopsies are collected for bacteriological analysis, then bacterial identification can be achieved, but the process is delayed, costly, and often insensitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical swabbing and biopsy methods with fluorescence-based non-invasive imaging. Fluorescent dyes or fluorophores can be applied topically or systemically to highlight bacteria or molecular markers in real-time, eliminating the need for tissue removal and laboratory culture. This enables immediate visualization and identification of bacterial presence and distribution in the wound.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary fluorescent labeling of bacteria or molecular markers before wound assessment. By applying fluorescent dyes or fluorophores that specifically bind to bacterial cell walls or molecular targets, the system prepares the sample in advance for rapid detection. This preliminary action allows for immediate visualization without requiring subsequent laboratory processing, significantly reducing detection time.
3Productivity
If qualitative and subjective visual assessment is used, then the assessment is rapid, but it does not provide information about underlying biological and molecular changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual assessment with objective fluorescence imaging. The fluorescence microscope system provides quantitative, objective measurements of biological and molecular changes through fluorescent signal intensity and distribution. This enables rapid assessment while simultaneously capturing detailed information about tissue remodeling, bacterial load, and molecular markers, eliminating the trade-off between speed and information quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-functional fluorescence imaging system that can simultaneously detect multiple biological and molecular targets using different fluorescent dyes or fluorophores. This universal platform enables rapid assessment of wound healing parameters, bacterial presence, and molecular markers in a single examination, providing comprehensive information without increasing assessment time.
4Reliability
If conventional wound assessment methods are used, then the approach is cost-effective, but it results in delayed treatment and increased morbidity and mortality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional assessment methods with fluorescence-based real-time imaging that can detect occult bacterial presence and molecular changes before they become clinically apparent. This enables early identification of high-risk wounds and treatment needs, allowing for timely intervention to prevent progression to chronic wounds or sepsis, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous monitoring of wound healing processes and bacterial presence through repeated fluorescence imaging. This continuous action allows for real-time detection of changes in wound status, facilitating dynamic adjustment of treatment strategies. The ability to continuously track molecular and biological changes ensures that treatment interventions are timely and appropriately targeted, improving patient outcomes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates rapid, non-invasive wound assessment, allowing for precise identification of bacterial load and infection, and supports adaptive intervention strategies to enhance healing.
Implementation Method 1
a light source emitting light for illuminating the target, the emitted light including at least one wavelength or wavelength band causing at least one biomarker associated with the target to fluoresce
Implementation Method 2
each signal being indicative of at least one of endogenous fluorescence, exogenous fluorescence, absorbance, and reflectance
Implementation Method 3
each signal being indicative of at least one of endogenous fluorescence, exogenous fluorescence, absorbance, and reflectance
Implementation Method 4
a thermal sensor configured to detect thermal information regarding the illuminated portion of the wound and the area around the wound
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for wound image analysis are disclosed. The systems and methods include obtaining wound images from a patient. The wound images contain spectral data including fluorescence characteristics and/or reflectance characteristics. The systems and methods further include using a processor to analyze the wound images to determine wound component metrics, based on the spectral data. The wound component metrics include one or more of infection, inflammation, granulation, slough, necrotic tissue, hypergranulation, undermining, topology, epithelialization, and tissue margins. The processor is further used to generate an output indicative of wound status that is based at least in part on the wound components.