Assessment of wound status and tissue viability via analysis of spatially resolved THz reflectometry maps

US11660012B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Bryan Nowroozi · Oakland, US
• Warren S. Grundfest · Los Angeles, US
• Zachary Taylor · Los Angeles, US
• James Garritano · Los Angeles, US
• Priyamvada Tewari · Los Angeles, US
• Shijun Sung · Elk Grove, US
• Neha Bajwa · Oakland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2017
• Grant date: May 30, 2023
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B11/24
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatuses for performing wound analysis using THz imaging are provided. Due to the large complex component of water's dielectric constant in the THz regime, and the relative frequency invariance of non-aqueous tissue constituents, this modality is highly sensitive to the water content of tissue. It has been found that using THz imaging turns the presence of edema into a contrast mechanism, and allows for the use of the spatial distributions of edema to assess wound status immediately. Apparatus and methods enable earlier diagnosis of wound status which could result in accelerated treatment and shorter overall hospital stays.