Near-Infrared Diffuse Photon Density Wave Wound Healing Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing wound healing are limited by their inability to provide accurate, non-invasive evaluation of the healing process beneath the surface of chronic wounds, leading to inadequate information and potential misdiagnosis, as they primarily focus on surface characteristics and have limited depth penetration.
Innovation Solution
The use of near-infrared diffuse photon density wave (DPDW) methodology and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to measure changes in optical properties, such as absorption and scattering coefficients, and correlate them with collagen concentration and blood vessel growth, allowing for the assessment of wound healing depth and oxygenation over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional wound evaluation methods (surface imaging, photography) are used, then the evaluation process is simple and non-invasive, but the measurement precision is insufficient because they only provide surface information and cannot assess deep tissue healing status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical imaging methods (ultrasound, OCT) with optical measurement methods (NIR spectroscopy, diffuse photon density waves) to assess wound healing. Optical methods provide deeper tissue penetration and biochemical information about collagen, blood vessels, and oxygenation without requiring complex mechanical scanning systems, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining relative simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures changes in optical parameters (absorption coefficients, scattering coefficients, oxygenation levels) over time to assess wound healing progression. By monitoring dynamic parameter changes rather than static structural images, the system achieves higher measurement precision for healing status while using relatively simple optical sensors
2Volume of moving object
If optical methods (DRS, OCT) are used to penetrate deeper into tissue, then the depth of measurement is improved, but the measurement precision is still insufficient because they can only measure to approximately 1 millimeter depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic modulation of light sources (frequency-domain spectroscopy, diffuse photon density waves) to enhance depth penetration and improve measurement precision. The periodic action allows separation of signals from different tissue depths through frequency filtering, enabling accurate measurement of healing parameters at greater depths than static optical methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies vibration principles through frequency-modulated light sources and time-resolved measurements to penetrate deeper into tissue. By using oscillating light at specific frequencies and analyzing the modulated response, the system achieves both increased measurement depth and improved precision for detecting collagen concentration, blood vessel density, and oxygenation
3Volume of moving object
If high frequency ultrasound is used to image deep tissue structures, then the depth penetration is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to the complexity of translating the method to chronic wounds with ambiguous boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical ultrasound imaging with simpler optical measurement systems that are more easily adapted to chronic wounds. Optical methods can be applied to wounds of any shape, size, or depth without requiring the complex translation and adaptation that ultrasound methods require, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving sufficient depth penetration for wound assessment
4Reliability
If multiple treatment modalities are applied to chronic wounds, then the healing effectiveness is improved, but the loss of time increases because it takes longer to evaluate which treatments are working
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous optical monitoring that provides real-time feedback on wound healing status, including collagen concentration, blood vessel density, and oxygenation levels. This feedback allows clinicians to quickly assess whether a treatment is working and adjust the treatment plan accordingly, reducing the time needed to evaluate treatment effectiveness compared to traditional periodic visual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous or frequent monitoring of wound healing parameters through optical measurements. By performing measurements repeatedly over time without disrupting the wound treatment, the system provides continuous feedback on healing progression, allowing rapid evaluation of multiple treatment modalities and accelerating the decision-making process for treatment adjustment
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
This approach enables the differentiation between normal and impaired wound healing, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of wound healing progress and enabling early identification of treatment effectiveness, reducing treatment duration and cost.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating wound tissue with light from a light source, measuring the amplitude and/or phase shift of the light as it propagates through the wound tissue, calculating an optical absorption coefficient
Implementation Method 2
measuring changes in optical properties, such as absorption and scattering coefficients
Implementation Method 3
use of diffuse photon density wave (DPDW) methodology at near infrared frequencies to calculate the absorption and scattering coefficients
Data Source
AI summary
Optical changes of tissue during wound healing measured by Near Infrared and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy are shown to correlate with histologic changes. Near Infrared absorption coefficient correlated with blood vessel in-growth over time, while Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) data correlated with collagen concentration. Changes of optical properties of wound tissue at greater depths are also quantified by Diffuse Photon Density Wave (DPDW) methodology at near infrared wavelengths. The diffusion equation for semi-infinite media is used to calculate the absorption and scattering coefficients based on measurements of phase and amplitude with a frequency domain or time domain device. An increase in the absorption and scattering coefficients and a decrease in blood saturation of the wounds compared to the non wounded sites was observed. The changes correlated with the healing stage of the wound. The methodologies used to collect information regarding the healing state of a wound may be used to clinically assess the efficacy of wound healing agents in a patient (e.g., a diabetic) and as a non-invasive method to detect the progress of wound healing, particularly chronic wounds due to diabetes. The methodology applies to ischemic environments, impaired healing states, and emerging subsurface tissue deterioration, such as in pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, and ubiquitous ulcers.