Medical Device for Diagnosis Pressure Ulcers

Abstract

Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A monitoring device for use in conjunction with a subject, the monitoring device comprising:
 a tip for pressing against tissue in a measurement region of the subject;   at least one emitter to emit light energy from the tip toward the tissue of the subject;   at least one photodetector to sense reflected light energy that is reflected by the tissue in the measurement region;   at least one pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the monitoring device is applied to the tissue of the subject; and   a processor-based controller in communication with the at least one photodetector, wherein the controller is programmed to monitor a condition of the subject based on input from the at least one photodetector.   
     
     
         58 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , further comprising a display in communication with the controller to visually indicate a result of the monitoring of the condition. 
     
     
         59 . The monitoring device of  claim 57  further comprising an emitter assembly, the emitter assembly comprising a plurality of emitters wherein the plurality of emitters comprises the at least one emitter. 
     
     
         60 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , wherein the at least one emitter comprises a first emitter having a first center wavelength and a second emitter having a second center wavelength different than the first center wavelength. 
     
     
         61 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , wherein the at least one photodetector comprises a first photodetector positioned a first distance from said emitter and a second photodetector positioned a second distance from said emitter. 
     
     
         62 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , wherein the controller is further programmed to monitor a condition of the subject based on input from the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         63 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , wherein the controller is further programmed to monitor the pressure at which a user applies the monitoring device to the subject's tissue. 
     
     
         64 . The monitoring device of  claim 63 , further comprising at least one visual indicator in communication with the controller for providing feedback to the user regarding the pressure at which the user is applying the monitoring device to the subject's tissue. 
     
     
         65 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , wherein the controller is further programmed to monitor the condition of the subject, at least in part by calculating a rate of change of a blood property of the subject. 
     
     
         66 . The monitoring device of  claim 65 , wherein the rate of change of the blood property of the subject is calculated during a time period following application of said tip to the tissue of the subject in the measurement region. 
     
     
         67 . The monitoring device of  claim 57 , wherein the condition of the subject is the presence of a pressure ulcer at the measurement region of the tissue. 
     
     
         68 . A method of diagnosing a condition of a subject, the method comprising:
 applying a monitoring device against tissue of the subject at a first pressure level and maintaining the first pressure level within a first pressure range for a first period of time, wherein the monitoring device comprises:
 at least one photodetector; and 
 at least one emitter to emit light energy from the monitoring device toward the tissue of the subject, wherein the at least one photodetector senses reflected light energy that is reflected by the tissue of the measurement region; 
 at least one pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the monitoring device is applied to the tissue of the subject; and 
 a processor-based controller in communication with the at least one photodetector; and 
   receiving, via a user interface of the monitoring device, an indication of the condition of the subject.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising applying the monitoring device against the tissue of the patient at a second pressure level and maintaining the second pressure level within a second pressure range for a second period of time. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the first pressure range is less than the second pressure range. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising: applying the monitoring device against the tissue of the patient at a second site at said first pressure level and maintaining said first pressure level within a first pressure range for said first period of time. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising: applying the monitoring device against the tissue of the patient at said second site at said second pressure level and maintaining said second pressure level with said second pressure range for said second period of time. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein said first pressure range is less than said second pressure range. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising displaying on said user interface the pressure at which the monitoring device is being applied to the tissue of the subject. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising continuously monitoring the pressure at which the monitoring device is being applied to the tissue.