Dual-Modal Optical Imaging of Tissue Perfusion in Response to Cooling Stimulation Facilitates Early Detection of Pressure Ulcer

Abstract

Pressure ulcers present a significant human and economic challenge, lacking a reliable method for early detection. To address this, we developed a system capable of early detection by using cooling stimulation and dynamic data acquisition techniques to monitor blood perfusion and skin temperature. The system consists of laser speckle perfusion imaging and thermal imaging. And we performed simulations to demonstrate that the system is capable of detect tissue damage across multiple layers, from superficial to deep. Testing on a rabbit ear model demonstrated that this approach, which combines dynamic perfusion and temperature parameters, effectively distinguishes early pressure ulcer areas from normal skin with a significant p value of 0.0015. This distinction was more precise compared to methods relying solely on static parameters or one parameter. Our study thereby offers a promising advancement in the proactive management and prevention of pressure ulcers.