Ultrasonic technique for characterizing skin burns
US4080960A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1976 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4272
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention, a method for ultrasonically determining the depth of a skin burn, is based on the finding that the acoustical impedance of burned tissue differs sufficiently from that of live tissue to permit ultrasonic detection of the interface between the burn and the underlying unburned tissue. The method is simple, rapid, and accurate. As compared with conventional practice, it provides the important advantage of permitting much earlier determination of whether a burn is of the first, second, or third degree. In the case of severe burns, the usual two - to three-week delay before surgery may be reduced to about 3 days or less.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.