Assessment of skin wound healing with a multi-aperture camera

A clinical trial was conducted at the National Rehabilitation Hospital on 15 individuals to assess whether Rheparan Skin, a bio-engineered component of the extracellular matrix of the skin, is effective at promoting healing of a variety of wounds. Along with standard clinical outcome measures, a spectroscopic camera was used to assess the efficacy of Rheparan skin. Gauzes soaked with Rheparan skin were placed on volunteers wounds for 5 minutes twice weekly for four weeks. Images of the wounds were taken using a multi spectral camera and a digital camera at baseline and weekly thereafter. Spectral images collected at different wavelengths were used combined with optical skin models to quantify parameters of interest such as oxygen saturation (SO2), water content, and melanin concentration. A digital wound measurement system (VERG) was also used to measure the size of the wound. 9 of the 15 measured subjects showed a definitive improvement post treatment in the form of a decrease in wound area. 7 of these 9 individuals also showed an increase in oxygen saturation in the ulcerated area during the trial. A similar trend was seen in other metrics. Spectral imaging of skin wound can be a valuable tool to establish wound-healing trends and to clarify healing mechanisms.