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Wound Medicine

With the TIVITA® 2.0 Wound Edition, diagnosticians and clinicians are able to qualitatively and quantitatively assess wounds of any origin non-invasively and within a few seconds and to document healing processes. In this way, (novel) therapies and therapeutic approaches can be objectively evaluated and adapted to patient-specific needs over time.

Currently, HSI technology is used in various clinics and wound centres mainly for the assessment of chronic wounds of the decubitus, venous leg ulcer/arteriosum/mixtum or diabetic foot ulcer type. These usually develop as a symptom or complication of an existing underlying disease, such as chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive disease or diabetes mellitus.

In wound care, tissue oxygenation plays a major role in the healing process. From a tissue oxygenation level of approx. 50 %, healing is very likely to proceed, whereas with permanent oxygenation levels below approx. 30 %, the tissue is likely to die due to undersupply. A determined tissue oxygen saturation of less than 10 % indicates necrotic tissue.

Especially wounds in the area of the legs and feet lead to severe pain for the patients. This in turn prevents the patient from moving, which is detrimental to the oxygen supply to the wound and the healing process. Thus, a controlled documentation of wound healing is an important support for the choice of therapy.

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Hyperspectral image of a decubital ulcer of the right heel. The heel is often exposed to permanent pressure in bedridden patients and is at high risk for decubital ulcers. ©Thomas Wild

With hyperspectral imaging, the water content of the tissue can be determined in parallel to the oxygen saturation. Therefore, edema can also be assessed well. Oedema can impair the functionality of other vessels by applying pressure, which can have a negative effect on the oxygen supply to the tissue. Another accumulation of fluid is represented by a hematoma. In this case, blood leaks from injured vessels and settles in the body tissue or a body cavity. Hematomas are usually located in the subcutaneous area, and the coloration is caused by the clotting of the blood or blood degradation products. Unlike edema, water is not deposited. In such areas, the hemoglobin value tends to be elevated and the oxygen saturation reduced.