MEASURING LEG ULCERS USING A LASER DISPLACEMENT SENSOR

A non-contact method for the measurement of a skin ulcer's area and vo lume has been developed. A commercially available laser displacement s ensor is scanned across the ulcer's surface to produce a displacement image. From this image the healthy normal skin's surface is reconstruc ted and the area and volume found. Results of measurements made with p hantom ulcers show that the method has a precision and accuracy +/-5% of the total size. This compares favourably with results from other no n-contact methods that have been published. The method of measurement is simple and reliable. At present, the time taken to produce a displa cement image is lengthy but this is due to a limitation in the instrum entation, rather that a failing of the technique. The result of a prel iminary measurement made on a patient's leg ulcer is presented.