FLIM of luminescent oxygen sensors: clinical applications and results

Oxygen supply is a critical parameter for the vitality of human skin. With the development of fluorescent lifetime imaging (FLIM) of oxygen optodes it became possible to measure the distribution of transcutaneous oxygen parti al pressure of, or the oxygen flux into the skin, which is related to the c utaneous microcirculation. Aims of this study were: testing the sensor unde r clinical conditions, standardisation of handling of sensor membranes, the ir application to the skin, the documentation and visualisation of pO(2) ch anges after provocation tests (intracutaneous application of histamine and recall antigens). Clinical measurements are performed easily and within a s hort time. The sensors do not irritate the skin of the patients. The patien ts can move around between the measurements. For the first time, localized changes of pO(2) were quantified and visualised two-dimensionally for examp le in histamine-induced hyperaemic areas as well as in recall-antigen-induc ed inflammatory reactions. This new technique enables us to obtain clinical ly relevant data about the oxygen supply of the skin quickly. This is of si gnificant clinical relevance in determining the level of amputation in pati ents with peripheral arterial occlusion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.