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Rapid tissue viability evaluation using methemoglobin as a biomarker in burns
General Leung1,2, Dragos Duta1, Julie Perry3
1Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital Toronto, ON, Canada.
International Journal of Burns and Trauma
|December 6, 2018
Summary
A new device uses near-infrared spectroscopy to detect methemoglobin, an indicator of burn tissue viability. This non-invasive tool aids surgeons in assessing burn severity and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Devices
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Burns are a common cause of traumatic injury, with severe cases requiring specialized care.
- Accurate early assessment of burn tissue viability is crucial for effective patient management.
- Current methods for determining tissue viability have limited accuracy, impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a non-invasive device for rapid bedside assessment of traumatic burn tissue viability.
- To investigate the utility of near-infrared spectroscopy in detecting methemoglobin as a biomarker for burn injury.
- To establish methemoglobin as an objective outcome measure for burn management.
Main Methods:
- Development of a non-invasive device utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy.
- Application of the device to assess burn injuries in a porcine model and in human patients.
- Quantification of methemoglobin levels in burned tissue and correlation with tissue viability.
Main Results:
- Near-infrared spectroscopy successfully detected methemoglobin non-invasively in burned tissue.
- Methemoglobin levels increased immediately post-injury in both porcine and human burn models.
- Elevated methemoglobin levels were associated with non-viable tissue and correlated with tissue viability as early as 24 hours post-burn.
Conclusions:
- Near-infrared spectroscopy offers a promising non-invasive method for assessing burn severity.
- Methemoglobin serves as a reliable early indicator of burn tissue viability.
- This technology has the potential to significantly improve the early surgical management of burn injuries.
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