title: Tissue viability (TiVi) imaging: temporal effects of local occlusion studies in the volar forearm.
abstract: Tissue Viability (TiVi) imaging is a promising new technology for the assessment of microcirculation in the upper human dermis. Although the technique is easily implemented and develops large amounts of observational data, its role in the clinical workplace awaits the development of standardised protocols required for routine clinical practice. The present study investigates the use of TiVi technology in a human, in vivo, localized, skin blood flow occlusion protocol. In this feasibility study, the response of the cutaneous microcirculation after provocation on the volar surface of the forearm was evaluated using a high temporal-low spatial resolution TiVi camera. 19 healthy subjects - 10 female and 9 male - were studied after a localized pressure was applied for 5 different time periods ranging from 5 to 25 seconds. Areas corresponding to 100 x 100 pixels (2.89 cm(2)) were monitored for 60 seconds prior to, during and after each occlusion period. Our results demonstrated the removal of blood from the local area and a hyperaemic response supporting the suitability of TiVi imaging for the generation of detailed provocation response data of relevance for the physiological function of the skin microcirculation in health and disease.
authors.affiliation: NBIPI, Department of Physics, University of Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Doherty
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Barry W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Gert E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Rani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toll
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Leahy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020405:Dermis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000379:methods*; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult