Quantitative image analysis of the shape and size of circular wound sites generated by vertically stamped scratches

A protocol for quantitative image analysis of wound generation is important to better understand the integrative process of wound healing and the closure mechanism. Here, we present a method for quantitative analysis of microscopic images of circular wound sites generated by vertically stamped scratches. To demonstrate proof-of-concept validation, we used two types of mechanical stamping tools, a mechanical pencil lead (type 1; brittle) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pillars (type 2; ductile), to create circular wound sites. We also present a method for analysis of microscopic images of the generated wound sites by suggesting new parameters, such as controlled area transfer ratio, modified shape factor, and roundness index, specifically to investigate the shape and size of wounds via house-coded image processing. We believe that this approach can be potentially useful by providing a better way of studying vertical wound generation for future skin wound generation and care applications compared with its counterpart, conventional horizontal wound generation.