In Dutch VieCuri hospital a wound is monitored with a Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) camera. Employees of the Wound Expertise Center (WEC) can see with one shot of the camera whether the wound will heal normally.
Hyperspectral Imaging technology
HSI cameras detect reflected light. Using AI software, the images from the camera can then be analyzed. The system accurately determines material properties.
The American space agency NASA used the HSI camera for the first time about fifty years ago. She used this technology for remote sensing, satellite and space applications. Researchers are now experimenting with the use of the camera in many sectors. Outside the medical sector, applications for the camera are also being examined in agriculture and food production.
HSI in wound examination
Yvonne Siebers, wound consultant at VieCuri: “In less than thirty seconds, this camera can look up to 6 millimeters deep into the wound without skin contact. In this way we can quickly and accurately see whether a complex wound can heal normally or whether more research is needed. ”
According to Siebers, a wound that has not healed for three weeks should be checked for the WEC. “Certainly because it is not painful, is not burdensome for the patient and an early diagnosis significantly increases the chance of a cure.”
Benefits
When a wound does not heal, it regularly points to other health problems. The VieCuri states that different treatments are often tried while no diagnosis has yet been made.
According to Siebers, the camera offers a solution in such cases: “The camera visualizes the wound and the wound environment. This gives us the opportunity to quickly present a treatment plan to the patient. ” With the camera, employees of the WEC can see whether the blood flow is good, the oxygen supply is up and if there is too much fluid in the wound.
There are even more advantages to the HSI camera. For example, the patient also has more insight into the results of the treatment. Patients have a better understanding of what care is needed. “By explaining images, the patient understands why a stocking is needed or why the wound needs to be cleaned. This insight gives the patient confidence in the healing process and thus peace of mind. ”
The VieCuri hospital hopes to improve the quality of wound care with the HSI camera.
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