Multispectral imaging of burn wounds: a new clinical instrument for evaluating burn depth

A real-time video imaging system called the imaging burn depth indicator (IBDI) is described; IBDI can discriminate areas of burn wounds expected to heal in three weeks or less from the day of injury from those areas not expected to heal in that time period. The analysis can be performed on or about the third day postburn on debrided burn wounds. The relative diffuse reflectivity of the burn-wound is measured in the red, green, and near-infrared wavelength bands and an algorithm established previously is used to translate this optical data into burn healing probabilities. Over 100 burn wound sites were studied. Burn sites were evaluated on day three postburn by the IBDI and by the attending physician. Overall, the IBDI was found to be more accurate in predicting burn healing than were the attending physicians.