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New 3D medical imaging camera can save millions of pounds

Developed at the University of Oxford, the camera allows for significantly improved care for diabetic wounds.

Scientists from the University of Oxford have invented and developed a 3D imaging camera that is set to save millions of pounds in the healthcare industry by measuring and characterising diabetic wounds. Using two individual cameras and four high powered flash units in a light, mobile and easy-to-use unit, the Eykona system builds a 3D image and utilises specially-designed software to measure size, depth and skin tone with precision accuracy and detail at the sub-millimetre level.

The system was conceived by Professor Ron Daniel and Dr James Paterson to replace antiquated methods currently relied on in wound care.

Eykona is said to make pivotal measurements with far more speed, consistency and accuracy than is currently possible in hospitals. It took eight years of research and development to perfect and creates a detailed 3D model of any wound or scar from which accurate measurements of distance, area, colour, width or volume can be made.

Using the Eykona rendering software, the 3D model can be assessed from all angles and even shared with other doctors and clinicians through server or cloud-based hosting. It uses small sterile ‘targets’ to set the focus and position of the camera, eliminating inconsistency between images and can be used by any health care professional without the need for extensive or costly training.

The Eykona unit replaces current wound analysis techniques including naked eye assessment, tracing paper and pencil, dipstick depth measurement and relatively invasive resin casts. Through 3D models, clinicians will now be able to use definitive evidence to understand if and how the wound is healing, allowing them to adjust the treatment plan efficiently.

Until now, the colour and texture of wounds has been measured with the naked eye and recorded with hand written notes. The Eykona system changes this by successfully reproducing colour accurately and consistently, then allowing colour change to be recorded over time giving valuable information on the status of the tissues in the wound bed.

The Eykona technology’s size and robust design has meant early adopters include the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, which is currently using the device in the field to help treat the wounds of soldiers in Afghanistan as well as mapping impacts on body armour to improve research and development.

“One of the risks of inaccurate measurement and treatment of diabetic wounds is amputation, with 50 per cent of people who have a major amputations dying within two years,” said Dr James Paterson, one of the inventors of the Eykona system. “Through the use of the Eykona system, many of these amputations could be avoided through more precise, efficient and effective care resulting from accurate 3D measurement.”

“By replacing archaic, basic and expensive processes, Eykona is not just saving time and money, but lives. It means more measurements can be taken, in less time, by any number of health care professionals. They can then be shared with clinicians and specialists anywhere in the world if needed, improving the standard of care and reducing travel costs.”

www.eykona.com