Three-dimensional laser imaging system for measuring wound geometry

Background and Objective: A low cost laser imager was designed and fabricated for measurement of wound geometry. Methods: The accuracy of the imager was validated using reference depressions of known dimensions. Perimeter, area, and volume were compared to planimetric and packing techniques on simulated wound models. Results: Wound tracing and alginate measurement methods required approximately 20 times longer for the reference standards, and 11 times longer for the simulated wounds than with the laser scanning method (LSM). LSM consistently overestimated the reference perimeter by 0.73 ± 0.20 cm and the area by 0.98 ± 0.62 cm². Volume estimates were not statistically different. The tracing method underestimated the perimeter by 0.34 ± 0.27 cm and the area by 1.07 ± 1.09 cm². Volume measurements by the alginate method were not statistically different. The perimeters of the simulated wounds averaged 1.29 ± 0.27 cm greater using the LSM than obtained by the tracing method, and areas greater by 2.02 ± 1.30 cm². Volume scans averaged 1.04 ± 0.61 cm³ greater than by the alginate method.