Handheld Scanner Accurately Diagnoses Pressure Ulcers

A novel scanner detects localized tissue edema and pressure induced tissue damage that may lead to the formation of decubitus ulcers, before the damage becomes visible.

The subepidermal moisture (SEM) scanner is a point of care diagnostic tool that uses electrical surface capacitance to assess increased fluid content in skin and underlying tissue, a biophysical marker of inflammation that indicates impending skin damage and pressure ulcer formation. The early detection capability can lead to targeted interventions, reduced ulceration severity, and early recovery, as well as decreased hospital days. Additional advantages of the device include objective, evidence-based measurements; noninvasive, rapid results; clear risk assessment documentation; and standardized patient assessment.


An enterprise version of the device will also include wireless syncing to a databank for rapid analytics and reporting to healthcare providers. In clinical studies, the SEM scanner has been shown to identify pressure-induced tissue damage up to 10 days before it becomes visible skin surface, and can help with the more difficult diagnosis of pressure ulcers in patients with a darker skin tone. The SEM scanner, which was developed by Bruin Biometrics (BBI; Los Angeles, CA, USA) in conjunction research colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA; USA), has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

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Bruin Biometrics
University of California, Los Angeles