Redefining Wound Healing Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.
Charles Andersen1, Homer-Christian J Reiter, Valerie L Marmolejo
1Charles Andersen, MD, FACS, MAPWCA, is Chief of Wound Care Service, Wound Care Clinic, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base LewisMcChord, Tacoma, Washington, United States. Homer-Christian J. Reiter, BSc, is Study Coordinator and Research Assistant, The Geneva Foundation, Tacoma, Washington. Valerie L. Marmolejo, DPM, MS, is Medical Writer, OPEN Health, Parsippany, New Jersey. Acknowledgments: Kent Imaging provided financial support to Valerie L. Marmolejo, DPM, MS, for the written preparation of this manuscript. Charles Andersen, MD, FACS, MAPWCA, is a key opinion leader for Kent Imaging Inc. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results. The authors have disclosed no other financial relationships related to this article. Submitted June 9, 2023; accepted in revised form August 28, 2023; published ahead of print March 12, 2024.
Near-infrared (NIR) imaging offers an objective measure for wound healing, potentially reducing healing time by 12 days and preventing recurrence. This technology can guide clinicians in determining optimal wound care transitions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Wound Care Technology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Lack of a standardized definition for complete wound healing necessitates reliable assessment tools.
- Clinical decisions regarding wound dressing transitions and activity resumption are often subjective.
- Objective measures are needed to guide wound management and minimize recurrence risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of using a noncontact, near-infrared (NIR) imaging device for objective wound resolution measurement.
- To determine if NIR imaging can guide clinical decisions for transitioning wound dressings and activity levels.
- To evaluate NIR imaging's potential in predicting wound recurrence risk.
Main Methods:
- A single-center feasibility study involving adult patients with lower extremity wounds.
- Weekly wound assessments and standard-of-care treatments were administered.
- Serial imaging using a point-of-care, noncontact, NIR device (Snapshot NIR) was performed to evaluate wound and skin status.
Main Results:
- A significant average time difference of 13.5 days (median 12 days) was observed between visual reepithelialization and NIR imaging assessment.
- NIR imaging demonstrated the ability to identify patients at risk for recurrent wound breakdown.
- Homogeneous tissue oxygen saturation levels at the wound site and surrounding skin were evaluated.
Conclusions:
- Point-of-care, noncontact NIR imaging may provide objective data to guide clinical decision-making in wound management.
- This technology could optimize the timing for transitioning from protective dressings and gradual return to activity.
- Utilizing NIR imaging may help minimize the incidence of wound recurrence.
