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Multispectral photographic analysis a new quantitative tool to assist in the early diagnosis of thermal burn depth

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Abstract

Intercomparisons are made between three spectrally filtered photographs of experimental burns on guinea pigs and accidental burns on humans. The original photographs are taken on Kodak 35 mm Plus X and High Speed Infrared films. The transparencies are digitized and processed by a computer to form three additional photographs, each of which has an optical density proportional to the ratio of the target spectral reflectances. These images are color processed to form a pseudo color photograph which indicates the relative magnitude of the spectral reflectance ratio of the injured tissue. It is shown that these ratios, displayed by color patterns, have potential diagnostic value for the determination of burn depth in man.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

    Victor J. Anselmo

  2. Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

    Bruce E. Zawacki

Authors
  1. Victor J. Anselmo
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  2. Bruce E. Zawacki
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Additional information

This paper presents one phase of research performed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, under Contract NAS 7-100, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Technology Utilization.

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Anselmo, V.J., Zawacki, B.E. Multispectral photographic analysis a new quantitative tool to assist in the early diagnosis of thermal burn depth. Ann Biomed Eng 5, 179–193 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364018

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364018

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