Ultrasonic technique for characterizing skin burns

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:863041

Goans, Ronald E ^[1]; Meyers, F Bradford ^[2]; Stambaugh, Harry D ^[3]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. East Alton, IL
3. Louisville, KY

This invention, a method for ultrasonically determining the depth of a skin burn, is based on the finding that the acoustical impedance of burned tissue differs sufficiently from that of live tissue to permit ultrasonic detection of the interface between the burn and the underlying unburned tissue. The method is simple, rapid, and accurate. As compared with conventional practice, it provides the important advantage of permitting much earlier determination of whether a burn is of the first, second, or third degree. In the case of severe burns, the usual two - to three-week delay before surgery may be reduced to about 3 days or less.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4080960
• OSTI ID: 863041
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ultrasonic
technique
characterizing
burns
method
ultrasonically
determining
depth
burn
based
finding
acoustical
impedance
burned
tissue
differs
sufficiently
live
permit
detection
interface
underlying
unburned
simple
rapid
accurate
compared
conventional
practice
provides
advantage
permitting
earlier
determination
third
degree
severe
three-week
delay
surgery
reduced
days
third degree
ultrasonic detection
ultrasonic technique
conventional practice
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