The goal of this study is to develop a hand-held device capable of detecting incipient skin breakdown regardless of skin pigmentation. Skin redness is one of the major warning signs used by clinicians and individuals at risk to detect pressure sores. This phenomenon is often not visible in people with deeply pigmented skin. We are developing methods to detect this early breakdown.
Early detection helps to prevent more serious skin breakdown.
This study is funded by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research. This study is designed to develop tissue tolerance guidelines for prosthetic users with diabetes. This study involves two steps. First, tissue reflectance spectroscopy is used to characterize skin response to mechanical loading in diabetic amputees and non-disabled controls. The second step is measuring the amount of walking activity and pressures within the prosthetic socket during normal activities.