Patent ID: 8116838
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for diagnosing pressure ulcers in a measurement region of a subject, the device comprising: a tip for pressing against skin in the measurement region of the subject; two or more photodetectors; an emitter assembly, comprising two or more light sources, for emitting light energy from the tip toward the skin of the subject, wherein the two or more photodetectors sense reflected light energy that is reflected by the skin of the measurement region; at least one pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the skin of the subject; and a processor-based controller in communication with the two or more photodetectors and the at least one pressure sensor, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether a pressure ulcer is present in the measurement region and, when a pressure ulcer is detected, to determine a skin layer depth of the pressure ulcer, based on input from the two or more photodetectors and the at least one pressure sensor.