Diagnostic Imaging of Skin

This research will develop an optical instrument to aid in the noninvasive evaluation of skinaffected by injury, surgical procedures and/or disease. The instrument will use characteristics of lightabsorption by hemoglobin species to delineate skin regions compromised by ischemia, hypoxia ornecrosis. This research is based on the working hypothesis that reflectance spectra of pigments in skinprovide information that can be used to locate and evaluate compromised regions of skin. During PhaseI a skin imaging system will be constructed to obtain reflectance images at visible and near-infraredwavelengths from skin. Wavelengths will be chosen to monitor changes in hemoglobin absorption andtissue light scatter. Phase l studies will demonstrate feasibility of the working hypothesis using the ratpedicle skin flap as a model and provide design parameters for instruments to be constructed duringPhase ll for clinical trials. During Phase lithe imaging system will undergo clinical testing to determinethe system's ability to assist in the evaluation of vascular disorders, burns, wound healing andreconstructive surgery. The instrument will provide clinicians with a noncontact diagnostic method thatis truly noninvasive and requires no injections or skin contact. It will provide rapid, easily interpretedimage displays and be technically easy to use.