This paper investigates the appropriate range of values for the transcutaneous blood oxygen saturation (StO2) of granulating tissues and the surrounding tissue that can ensure timely wound recovery. This work has used a multispectral imaging system to collect wound images at wavelengths ranging between 520 nm and 600 nm with a resolution of 10 nm. As part of this research, a pilot study was conducted on three injured individuals with superficial wounds of different woundages at different skin locations. The StO2 value predicted for the examined wounds using the Extended Modified Lambert–Beer model revealed a mean StO2 of 61 ± 10.3% compared to 41.6 ± 6.2% at the surrounding tissues, and 50,1 ± 1,53% for control sites. These preliminary results contribute to the existing knowledge on the possible range and variation of wound bed StO2 that are to be used as indicators of the functioning of the vasomotion system and wound health. This study has concluded that a high StO2 of approximately 60% and a large fluctuation in this value should precede a good progression in wound healing.

Accepted 6 December 2013 Published 5 February 2014 This work presents the use of extended Modified Lambert Beer (MLB) model for accurate and continuous monitoring of percent blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) (SCO) and oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) saturation (SO₂) via a fitting procedure. This quantification technique is based on the absorption characteristics of hemoglobin derivatives in the wavelength range of 520–600 nm to give the best estimates of the required parameters. A comparison of the performance of the developed model and MLB law is made using attenuation data from Monte Carlo simulations for a two-layered skin model. The results revealed a lower mean absolute error of 0:4% in the values estimated by the developed model as compared to 10% that is given by the MLB law. This study showed that the discussed approach is able to provide consistent and accurate measurement of blood SO₂ and SCO across different skin pigmentations suggesting that it may potentially be used as an alternative means for clinical diagnosis of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.