Variations in blood circulation immediately visible with fast camera

The ability to detect, diagnosis, and quantify minuscule to severe variations in blood circulation in real time has been impossible in previous imaging devices. Researchers in the Netherlands have overcome this lack in efficiency. TOPCam is a new optical perfusion camera that prides itself with the speed at which it displays its image. The device gives an immediate impression of the condition of the vascular bed to which it is focused. This is very beneficial when assessing tissues that have been burned, subject to occlusion after a transplant, or belong to diabetics. A broad laser beam is used to simultaneously illuminate the entire skin area under investigation. The laser is synced with a high speed camera which collects the laser light scattered by moving red blood cells. This allows for variation in resolution of the pixels as a result of the Doppler Effect. The scientists have figured out how to make more efficient use of CPU memory which has allowed them to transfer all of the gathered data to the computer in real time. The device can also continuously record blood circulation in any part of the body, show average blood circulation at any point, and give precise measurements of blood circulation in the various parts of the heart.

http://www.utwente.nl/nieuws/pers/en/cont_09-027_en.doc/