Abstract:
In a wound scanning apparatus and method, a beam or sheet of light is scanned on a wound and reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light interacting with the wound at a plurality of points thereof is detected. The detected reflections are processed into data representative of the wound. The data or a representation thereof is reproduced in a human understandable form.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/809,897, filed on Jun. 1, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for measuring the dimensions of a wound in a human or other animal, and methods for their use, and more particularly relates to an optical scanning device and method to accurately and reproducibly evaluate the dimensions of wounds. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     When caring for patients afflicted with wounds to the flesh, such as cuts, burns, bruises, ulcerations, lacerations and the like, the extent of wound healing over time is monitored by measuring the surface area of the wound on a regular, periodic basis. 
     Wound monitoring for determining healing traditionally has involved recording the surface area of the untreated wound on a single transparent plastic sheet. Printed on one side of the sheet is wound sizing indicia, e.g., a grid or bulls-eye. The area of the wound typically is recorded by placing the printed sheet over the wound and tracing the outer boundary, or periphery, of the wound with a suitable marking device. It is important that the printed sheet, which is not sterile, not touch the area of the wound as this would introduce bacteria to the wound bed which could cause further damage to the wound. After marking, if any wound debris is on the sheet it is removed, e.g., by wiping with a suitable disinfecting or sterilizing cleanser. The size of the wound then is determined by comparing the marking with the sizing indicia. The marked sheet, which contains a sized, graphical representation of the wound, then is placed into the patient&#39;s file for future reference. This method of wound measurement has a significant degree of inaccuracy, based on the manual nature of the measurement as well as the fact that the printed sheet normally does not make direct contact with the wound. 
     The foregoing procedure, when repeated over a period of time, e.g., daily, thus creates a wound history for a patient. A number of these histories assembled from different patients can be used to compare the effectiveness of new wound management products and therapies with those currently available. 
     The use of presently available wound marking devices, however, creates potentially serious problems for the health care worker. As the device is placed over the wound, the side which faces the open wound often becomes contaminated with wound exudate, blood, necrotic tissue and the like. Contaminated devices must be cleaned and dried, and in most cases sterilized, before they can be safely handled without gloves, or stored, e.g., in a patient&#39;s file. Contaminated devices are especially dangerous when the device has been used on a patient who has a contagious disease, such as HIV, hepatitis, or on a patient whose body fluids harbor other types of infectious agents. 
     A number of other methods for diagnosing and treating wounds have evolved. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,168 (1993) to Grinnell measures proteases to diagnose non-healing ulcers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,757 (1992) to Eriksson describes a chamber and system for diagnosis and treatment of wounds; U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,842 (1998) to Cheong and Rigby discloses a packet containing a wound dressing and a method for measuring the area of a wound; U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,782 (1985) to Zoltan optically projects a visual matrix at known angles and distances into a wound allowing the volume of an ulcer to be determined; U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,605 (1993) to Afflerbach provides a wound assessment sheet and graph for tracing wound margins; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,356 (1997) to Hathman provides for a wound dressing that can be opened and resealed for the purpose of assessment and application of medication. 
     Various other methods for measuring ulcers have been employed. One such method is the utilization of a simple ruler that is placed over a wound in which its length and width are recorded. A second measurement includes the act of placing the same ruler in the vertical plane, which is inserted into a wound, resulting in a recorded depth measurement. Another method of wound assessment is to determine the volume of an ulcer by filling a tissue defect with various substances such as molding material. Once hardened, the molding material then is removed from the wound site and measured. The volume of the ulcer is equal to the volume of the hardened mold. The disadvantages of this molding method are that it is painful to a patient and disregards good sterile technique. A less painful and less accurate method to determine volume involves filling an ulcer with fluid, such as normal saline, and noting the volume of fluid used. 
     Still another less painful and less invasive method to measure ulcer volume utilizes stereophotogrammetic instrumentation. This method requires the exact angles of two cameras focused on a wound, followed by viewing and measuring the negatives to attain a particular ulcer volume. 
     Additionally, companies such as 3M and Smith &amp; Nephew have produced transparent dressings like Tegaderm™ and Opsite™, respectively, which provide as part of their packaging material a grid to be used to measure a wound during assessment. 
     A major drawback to all of the above-described methods is the failure of these methods to provide a health care practitioner with accurate and reproducible measurements of a wound site. 
     Thus, there exists a need to provide a device and method for wound monitoring which enables the surface area dimensions of a wound to be determined accurately and reproducibly without contaminating the wound site and to minimize a health care worker&#39;s risk of exposure to contagious or infectious agents present in the wound exudate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention fulfills this need by providing a hand held optical scanning device which accurately and reproducibly measures the surface area, i.e., length, width and depth, dimensions of different types of wounds, incisions, skin tears, holes or any other skin abnormality in a human or other animal by sensing breaks on the surface of the skin. 
     The hand held scanning device of the present invention preferably is light-weight, narrow-bodied, easy to manipulate, non-arm and wrist fatiguing, and is supportable entirely by a user during the measurement of a wound. 
     Furthermore, the scanning device of the present invention does not make physical contact with the surface of the skin, ensuring that the wound site is not contaminated during the measurement process and minimizing a health care worker&#39;s risk of exposure to contagious or infectious agents present in the wound exudate. 
     In particular, the scanning device of the present invention includes at least one trigger button that, when depressed, emits a light beam for measuring the dimensions of a wound. The scanning device further includes at least one memory button that can display previously generated data stored on a memory chip. Also included on the scanning device is a viewing window which can display the data. 
     The present invention also provides a method for measuring the surface area, i.e., length, width and depth, dimensions of different types of wounds, incisions, skin tears, holes or any other skin abnormality in a human or other animal comprised of generating a light beam from the scanning device, directing the light beam towards a wound, scanning the light beam over the area of the wound, receiving a reflected light beam from the wound back into the scanning device, detecting the light intensity in the reflected light beam by means of a sensor which generates an electrical signal indicative of the detected light intensity, and processing the electrical signal into a digitized signal to generate data descriptive of the wound&#39;s length, width and depth dimensions as well as surface area and volume of the wound cavity. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the source of light can be a laser diode. However, an alternative source of light can be used such as a high power LED or small halogen light bulb with proper optics and means of spatial filtering. 
     An embodiment of the invention includes a housing and a light source disposed in said housing and operative for outputting a beam or sheet of light. Means is disposed in said housing for scanning the beam or sheet of light from said housing on a wound and a reference surface adjacent said wound. A first light sensor is disposed in said housing for detecting reflection of the scanned light that occurs in response to interaction between the scanned light with at least one of the wound and the adjacent reference surface. The first light sensor can be either a one or two-dimensional light sensor. The housing houses a means in the path of the reflected light for focusing the reflected light on the first light sensor. A controller disposed in said housing is operative for processing signals output by the first light sensor into data representative of at least the wound. A display disposed in said housing and operating under the control of the controller is operative for displaying at least one of said data and a representation thereof. 
     The data can include a length, width, depth area and/or volume of the wound. The representation of said data can include an image of the wound. 
     A mirror can be disposed in said housing for reflecting at least a portion of the scanned beam or sheet of light to the first light sensor via the focusing means. The controller can be operative for at least one of the following: for determining a direction of the scanned beam or sheet of light based on where the mirror reflected light impinge(s) on the first light sensor; or for determining a distance between the first light sensor and a surface of the wound from where the mirror reflected light impinge(s). 
     A screen can be disposed in said housing for reflecting a portion of the light from the mirror back thereto. 
     A mirror can be disposed in said housing for reflecting at least a portion of the scanned beam or sheet of light. A second light sensor can be disposed in said housing for receiving the light reflected from the mirror. The controller can be operative for processing signals output by the second light sensor into data representative of a direction of the scanned beam or sheet of light. 
     The housing can house a means coupled to the controller for facilitating interaction between the controller and an operator. The means for facilitating interaction can include at least one of the following: a push button; a toggle button; and a touch sensitive screen. 
     Means for stabilizing can be coupled to said housing for stabilizing the housing to the reference surface during scanning of the wound. 
     A mirror moveable under the control of a scanning motor can be provided. The beam or sheet of light output by the light source can impinge on the mirror operating under the control of the scanning motor for scanning the beam or sheet of light. When a beam of light is being scanned, the scanning means can raster scan the beam of light. When a sheet of light is being scanned, the scanning means can scan the sheet of light in one direction. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a method comprising: (a) scanning a beam or sheet of light on a wound; (b) detecting reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light interacting with the wound at a plurality of points thereof; (c) processing the detected reflections into data representative of the wound; and (d) displaying at least one of said data and a representation thereof. 
     The data can include a length, width, depth, area and/or volume of the wound. The representation of said data can include an image of at least part of the wound. 
     The method can further include reflecting at least a portion of the scanned beam or sheet of light prior to interacting with the wound, and processing the light reflected prior to interacting with the wound to determine at least one of the following: a direction of the scanned beam or sheet of light; and a distance between a surface of the wound and where the reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light are detected. 
     The method can further include focusing the reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light prior to step (b). 
     The wound can include an adjacent reference plane. 
     Lastly, an embodiment of the invention comprises: means for producing a beam or sheet of light; means for scanning the beam or sheet of light on a wound; means for detecting reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light interacting with the wound at a plurality of points thereof; means for processing the detected reflections into data representative of the wound; and means for displaying at least one of said data and a representation thereof. 
     The data can include a length, width, depth, area and/or volume of the wound. The representation of said data can include an image of at least part of the wound. 
     A means can be provided for reflecting at least a portion of the scanned beam or sheet of light prior to interacting with the wound. Means can be provided for processing the light reflected prior to interacting with the wound to determine at least one of the following: a direction of the scanned beam or sheet of light or a distance between a surface of the wound and where the reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light are detected. 
     Means can be provided for focusing the reflections of the scanned beam or sheet of light onto the means for detecting. 
     The wound can include an adjacent reference surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the scanning device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the scanning device of the present invention showing the emittance of light onto a wound and the reflectance of light from the wound; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the scanning device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4 . is a perspective view of a light source, an optical means, a sensor means, and an imaging means supported in operative relation by a frame, all of which are included inside of the scanning device shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic drawing showing various paths of light produced in use of the light source, optical means, sensor means and imaging means shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of the scanning of a wound and surrounding reference plane with a line of light produced by the light source and optical means shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a schematic view of a two-dimensional pixilated sensor array showing the reflection of the line of light in  FIG. 6   a  thereon, along with the reflection of a reference line of light in edge pixels of the array; and 
         FIG. 7  is another embodiment of the present invention that includes a one-dimensional sensor in combination with the imaging means and scanning mirror of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  arranged in a different manner to facilitate raster scanning of a surface being interrogated and the collection of data from the raster scanned surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures where like reference numbers correspond to like elements. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a scanning device  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing  12  having a head portion  14 , a rear portion  16 , a back region  18 , a front region  20  and an intermediate body region  22 , comprised of opposing sidewalls  23 , extending between front region  20  and back region  18 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4  and with continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , scanning device  10  includes a light source  50 , e.g., a miniature laser tube, a semiconductor laser diode or a high power LED, mounted within housing  12  for generating incident light  30 , either in the form of a narrow beam of light or in the form of a sheet of light. Scanning device  10  also includes an optical means  60 , e.g., an optical system including one or more lenses and at least one scanning mirror  68 , such as, without limitation, a polygon mirror, mounted within housing  12  and operative for causing light  30  to traverse an incident light path toward a reference plane  35  located exteriorly of housing  12  in front of head portion  14 , and, more specifically, toward a wound  40  located on or within reference plane  35 . Incident light  30  reflecting off of wound  40  and/or reference plane  35  traverses a return light path therefrom toward head portion  14  of housing  12  as reflected light  32 . 
     Optical means  60  can include a scanning means  62 , such as, without limitation, a miniature high-speed scanning motor  64 , mounted within housing  12 , that can cause scanning mirror  68  to sweep or scan incident light  30  over a field of view  66  that includes wound  40  and/or reference plane  35 . Alternatively, optical means can comprise an electroholographic grating of the type available from SBG Labs, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. 
     Scanning device  10  includes a sensor means  70 , e.g., a one-dimensional light sensor, a two-dimensional light sensor, or the combination of a one-dimensional light sensor and a two-dimensional light sensor, mounted within housing  12  for detecting reflected light  32  and for generating electrical signal(s) indicative of the intensity of reflected light  32 . 
     Sensor means  70  in the form of a two-dimensional sensor can be of any suitable and/or desirable sensor technology that enables electronic signals corresponding to an optical image in the field of view of said sensor to be acquired. One non-limiting example of a sensor that can be utilized as a two-dimensional sensor in the present invention is a CCD array. Likewise, the one-dimensional sensor can be made from any suitable and/or desirable sensor technology that enables variations in light to be detected in a field of view of said sensor. One non-limiting example of such one-dimensional sensor is the “Duo-Lateral, Super Linear Position Sensing Detector” available from OSI Optoelectronics, Inc. of Hawthorne, Calif. 90250. 
     Scanning device  10  also includes an imaging means  80 , e.g., without limitation, an objective lens, disposed in housing  12  in the path of reflected light  32  for directing and focusing reflected light  32  onto sensor means  70 . The combination of sensor means  70  and lens means  80  enables bumps or breaks, e.g., wound  40 , on or in reference plane  35  to be detected in a manner described hereinafter. 
     Scanning device  10  also includes a controller  90  disposed in housing  12  and operative for coordinating the operation of light source  50 , optical means  60  and sensor means  70  to generate digital data indicative of the surface area of reference plane  35  and/or wound  40 , e.g., length, width, depth area and/or volume of wound  40 , and for storing or outputting said dimensions, in numerical or image form, e.g., a topographic image, on a visual display  24  housed within and viewable through housing  12 , or an external display (not shown) that controller  90  communicates with via a communication port of scanning device  10 , such as a USB port or an infrared port (not shown) in a manner known in the art. 
     Front region  20  of housing  12  can include at least one control button  15  that when activated causes the dimensions of wound  40  to be measured. In an embodiment of the present invention, one button  15  can be depressed to measure the length of wound  40 , a second button  15  can be depressed to measure the width of wound  40 , and a third button  15  can be depressed to measure the depth of wound  40 . Alternatively, a preprogrammed sequence of measurements, such as, without limitation, length, width, depth, volume and surface area, can be performed upon activating a single button  15 . 
     Front region  20  of housing  12  can further include one or more memory buttons  17  that can cause previously generated data stored within a memory of controller  90  to be displayed on display  24 . 
     Front region  20  of housing  12  can include a keypad  25  for entering patient data and/or other information into controller  90 . A toggle button  19 , which toggles in an up, down, left or right direction, can be provided in housing  12  and coupled to controller  90  for moving from one selected data/information/function state to another. 
     All or part of buttons  15  and  17 , toggle button  19 , and/or all or part of the buttons comprising keypad  25  can be omitted and replaced by a touch sensitive screen that displays a virtual keyboard. The virtual keyboard displayed on the touch sensitive screen can include virtual buttons needed for performing a particular function. Display  24  can comprise this touch sensitive screen. 
     Scanning device  10  can be programmed to allow for particularized scanning of different regions of the body. For example, the name of a specific part of the body, such as, without limitation, the abdomen, coccyx, lower extremities, and upper extremities, can be entered via keypad  25 , whereupon that part of the body can be scanned in which the particular contours of that body part is taken into account. 
     The combination of imaging means  80  and sensor means  70 , in the form of a two-dimensional light sensor, can be utilized to take picture images of wound  40 , which pictures can then be stored on a suitable and/or desirable memory storage device for later download into an external computer (not shown). It is contemplated that display  24  can display pictures in black and white, gray-scale, and/or in color, desirably in color. 
     It is contemplated that scanning device  10  weighs between about 1N to 15N (where N=Newtons), preferably about 1N to 5N, and most preferably about 1N to 3N. The size of the laser scanning device  10  can be any appropriate size which fits comfortably in the hand of a user, such as about 25 mm wide×250 mm long×125 mm deep, preferably about 250 mm wide×200 mm long×100 mm deep, and most preferably about 75 mm wide×150 mm long×70 mm deep. 
     Desirably, scanning device  10  includes an internal power supply, such as one or more batteries, for supplying electrical power to the various means of scanning device  10  requiring electrical power. If desired, said one or more batteries can be rechargeable and housing  12  can include an appropriate connector for connecting said rechargeable batteries to an external source of charging electrical power. 
     With ongoing reference to  FIG. 4 , in an embodiment of the present invention, sensor means  70  is a two-dimensional light sensor and imaging means  80  includes any number or combination of lens and/or mirrors, e.g., an objective lens, to capture reflected light  32  scattered from reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  in field of view  66 . In this embodiment, light source  50  is a laser diode that outputs a line of light to scanning mirror  68  of optical means  60 . Scanning mirror  68  is coupled to a scanning motor  64  of optical means  60  which, under the control of controller  90 , causes the line of light  30  output by light source  50  to scan reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  in field of view  66  as a sheet of light  30 . 
     The x and y axes of the two-dimensional light sensor comprising sensor means  70  can be positioned parallel to the x and y axes, respectively, of field of view  66 . However, this is not to be construed as limiting the invention since it is envisioned that the axes of the two-dimensional light sensor comprising sensor means  70  can be positioned in any suitable and/or desirable alignment with respect to the axes of the field of view  66  to facilitate collecting reflected light  32  emanating from reference plane  35  and/or wound  40 . 
     At each point in the scan of the sheet of light  30 , said light  30  and reflected light  32  traveling toward imaging means  80 , i.e., the light reflected by reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  in field of view  66  in response to interaction with light  30 , intersect at an angle at said point on plane  35  and/or wound  40 . This angle, in combination with the direction of light  30  with respect to the orientation of a frame  28  that supports light source means  50 , optical means  60 , sensor means  70  and imaging means  80 , in operative relation enables calculation of the distance between sensor means  70  and said point using well-known triangulation methods. 
     The direction of light  30  with respect to frame  28  can be determined by way of a resolver and/or an encoder of scanning motor  64  which is utilized to scan sheet of light  30  by way of adjusting the position of scanning mirror  68  in a manner known in the art. Also or alternatively, a mirror  42  can be disposed between scanning mirror  68  and field of view  66  with its longitudinal axis positioned parallel to an axis, e.g., the x-axis, of field of view  66  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Where sensor means  70  is a two-dimensional light sensor, e.g., in the form of a two-dimensional pixilated array, a portion of light  30  in the form of a sheet of light, can be caused to strike mirror  42 , whereupon said light portion is reflected directly or indirectly to one or more pixels along the edge of sensor means  70 . The use of mirror  42  fixed to frame  28  in combination with light  30  and sensor means  70 , in the form of the two-dimensional pixilated array, also fixed to frame  28 , enables controller  90  to accurately determine the direction of light  30  and, hence, the current position of mirror  68 . Based upon the direction of light  30  as detected by way of mirror  42  and edge pixels of sensor means  70 , along with reflected light  32  detected by other pixels of sensor means  70 , the distance between sensor means  70  and reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  can be determined by controller  90 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the portion of light  30  in the form of a sheet of light striking mirror  42  is reflected thereby. This reflected light is shown in  FIG. 5  by reference numeral  46 . In response to interaction with a projection screen  56  disposed adjacent imaging means  80 , a portion of reflected light  46  is scattered back to mirror  42 . This portion of reflected light  46  is shown in  FIG. 5  by reference numeral  46 ′. In response to scattered light  46 ′ striking mirror  42 , scattered light  46 ′ is reflected back toward imaging means  80 . The portion of scattered light  46 ′ reflected toward imaging means  80  is shown in  FIG. 5  by reference numeral  46 ″. Light  46 ′ and  46 ″ are shown for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limiting the invention since it is envisioned that light can be reflected back and forth between projection screen  56  and mirror  42  any number of times as necessary in order to enter imaging means  80 . 
     Screen  56  is made from material similar to that of screens utilized to project video images on, e.g., the screen of a projection system. Because screen  56  is not a perfect reflector, light scattered thereby does not travel in a particular path. For purpose of describing the present invention, however, each path of light  46 ,  46 ′ and  46 ″ represents one ray (e.g., the central ray) of light being reflected by the respective surface. 
     In response to interaction with imaging means  80 , reflected light  46 ″ is directed to one or more pixels of sensor means  70  in the form of the two-dimensional pixilated array, desirably along an edge thereof. In contrast, the portion of light  30  striking reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  is reflected thereby as reflected light  32  toward imaging means  80  which focuses reflected light  30  on other pixels of sensor means  70  in the form of the two-dimensional pixilated array. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , and with continuing reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when light  30  in the form of a sheet of light impinges on reference plane  35  and/or wound  40 , a line  54  is defined thereon as shown in  FIG. 6   a . Because light  30  impinges on wound  40  and the adjacent reference plane  35  at an angle, line  54  will have a cup-like shape when viewed normal to reference plane  35 . This is because the portion of line  54  impinging on the surface of wound  40  travels a greater distance than the portion of light  30  of line  54  impinging on reference plane  35 . As shown in  FIG. 6   b , a portion of the light of line  54  reflected by reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  is reproduced as a line  54 ′ on the two-dimensional pixilated array forming sensor means  70 . 
     The depth and width of the portion of wound  40  impinged by line  54  in  FIG. 6   a  can be determined from the corresponding depth d and width w of the corresponding line  54 ′ striking pixels of the two-dimensional pixilated array forming sensor means  70 . In order to accurately determine the depth and width of the portion of wound  40  touched by line  54 , it is also necessary to know the distance D between each point of line  54  and the pixel(s) of sensor means  70  detecting said point. This distance D can be determined as a function of the distance D′ ( FIG. 6   b ) along the x-axis of sensor means  70  between where reflected light  46 ″ strikes edge pixels of sensor means  70  and each point of line  54 ′ strikes other pixel(s) of sensor means  70  utilizing empirical or theoretical (mathematical) techniques. 
     Regarding determining distance D theoretically, this distance D can be determined based upon the geometric and trigonometric relationships between the angle of light  30 , and reflected light  46 , the angle between light  30  and reflected light  32 , along with the point on mirror  68  where light  30  originates, the point where light  30  strikes reference surface  35  and/or wound  40 , the center of imaging means  80  and distance D′ ( FIG. 6   b ). It is envisioned that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily determine distance D theoretically. Accordingly, details regarding how distance D is determined from the various geometric and trigonometric relationships of light rays shown in  FIG. 5  and distance D′ shown in  FIG. 6   b  will not be described herein in detail for simplicity of description. 
     Alternatively to having mirror  42  project reflected light  46 ″ onto pixels adjacent the periphery of sensor means  70  in the form of a two-dimensional pixilated array, a second light sensor  57 , e.g., a one-dimensional light sensor can be positioned adjacent sensor means  70  in replacement of screen  56  and can be coupled to controller  90 . In an embodiment including light sensor  57 , sensor means  70  in the form of a two-dimensional pixilated array can be utilized to detect only reflected light  32 , while light sensor  57  can be utilized to detect reflected light  46 ″ from mirror  42 . 
     Where light  30  is a narrow beam of light, scanning mirror  68  can be controlled to scan light  30  in both the x and y axes of field of view  66  in what is known as a raster scan. Where it is desired that light  30  be a sheet of light, light source means  50  can be equipped with a so-called line generator (not specifically shown) which causes the light output by light source means to be in the form of a line impinging on scanning mirror  68 . Hence, by simply rotating mirror  68  in the directions shown by two-headed arrow  48  in  FIG. 4 , line  54  of light  30  can be made to traverse field of view  66  in the x-direction as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Where sensor means  70  is a two-dimensional pixilated array, sensor means  70  can be operative for capturing a complete image of wound  40 , and, if desired, at least a portion of the surrounding reference plane  35  in field of view  66  in response to being exposed to polychromatic light from a suitable source thereof. Thus, it is envisioned that a polychromatic image of wound  40  and at least a portion of the surrounding reference plane  35 , along with data regarding the depth of wound  40  at multiple points thereof relative to reference plane  35  can be acquired in any desired order. 
     Imaging means  80  can be an objective lens. However, this is not to be construed as limiting the invention since imaging means  80  can include any suitable and/or desirable number or arrangement of lenses and/or mirrors deemed suitable and/or desirable by one of ordinary skill in the art to accomplish the focusing of reflected light  32  (reflected light  46 ″) onto pixels of sensor means  70 . 
     An obvious advantage of utilizing light  30  in the form of a sheet light that projects a line  54  versus light  30  in the form of a narrow beam of light that is raster scanned is that all of the points forming line  54  can be analyzed simultaneously by the pixels of sensor means  70  in the form of a two-dimensional pixilated array and light  30  needs to move in only one direction rather than in a raster. This not only simplifies the scanning system complexity but also increases the measurement speed. 
     It is envisioned that scanning device  10  can be utilized as a handheld instrument or it can be supported by any suitable and/or desirable external structure. Scanning device  10  can include one or more prongs  58  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 1 ), that extend outward from head portion  14 , that when pressed against the healthy tissue (skin) comprising reference plane  35  would help stabilize scanning device  10  during measurement. To prevent cross-contamination between patients, the tip of each prong  58  can be covered with disposable sleeves (not shown), therefore eliminating direct contact between the instrument and a patient. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , in an embodiment of the invention, sensor means  70  can be a one-dimensional sensor that is utilized in combination with incident light  30  in the form of a narrow beam of light. In this embodiment, light source  50  outputs a narrow beam of light which is reflected by mirror  68  toward reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  in the manner described above. In the manner described above, scanning motor  64  is controlled to cause scanning mirror  68  to raster scan incident light  30  across reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  in field of view  66 . At each point in the raster scan of incident light  30 , an instance of reflected light  32  is generated in response to interaction between incident light  30  and the surface of reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  where incident light  30  impinges. 
     Each such instance of reflected light  32  is reflected by mirror  68  imaging lens means  80  which focuses said instance of reflected light  32  onto sensor means  70  in the form of a one-dimensional light sensor. The output of sensor means  70  at each point in the raster scan of incident light  30  can be processed by controller  90  to produce data and/or images regarding reference plane  35  and/or wound  40  in field of view  66 . The location and arrangement of imaging means  80  and sensor means  70  in the form of a one-dimensional light sensor in  FIG. 7  can be utilized in replacement of the imaging means  80  and sensor means  70 , in the form of a two-dimensional light sensor, in  FIG. 4  by providing additional mounting hardware on frame  28  to support the arrangement of imaging means  80  and sensor means  70  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In connection with the location and arrangement of imaging means  80 , and sensor means  70  and scanning mirror  68  shown in  FIG. 7 , it is envisioned that the combination of mirror  42  and screen  56 , or the combination of mirror  42  and linear sensor  57  discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 4 and 5  can be utilized therewith to enable the angle of incident light  30  to be accurately determined and, hence, the distance D to be determined between sensor means  70  in the form of a one-dimensional light sensor at each point in the raster scan of incident light  30  on reference surface  35  and/or wound  40  in field of view  66 . 
     As can be seen, the present invention is a scanning device  10  that can comprise the combination of a sensor means  70  in the form of a two-dimensional light sensor for directly detecting reflections of incident light  30  in the form of a scanned sheet of light or a raster scanned narrow beam of light. Alternatively, scanning device  10  can include sensor means  70  in the form of a one-dimensional light sensor that receives the reflection of incident light  30  in the form of a narrow beam of light after said reflected narrow beam of light passes through imaging means  80  after being reflected by scanning mirror  68  which is also utilized to raster scan incident light  30  across the surface being interrogated. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.