Detection of cutaneous oxygen saturation using a novel snapshot hyperspectral camera: a feasibility study

Tissue necrosis, a consequence of inadequate tissue oxygenation, is a common post-operative complication. As current surgical assessments are often limited to visual and tactile feedback, additional techniques that can aid in the interrogation of tissue viability are needed to improve patient outcomes. In this bi-institutional pilot study, the performance of a novel snapshot hyperspectral imaging camera to detect superficial cutaneous oxygen saturation (StO ) was evaluated. Healthy human volunteers were recruited at two participating centers. Cutaneous StO of the forearm was determined by a snapshot hyperspectral camera on two separate study days during occlusion-reperfusion of the brachial artery and after induction of local vasodilation. To calculate the blood StO at each pixel in the multispectral image, spectra were selected, and fitting was performed over wavelengths ranging from 470 to 950 nm. Quantitative detection of physiological changes in cutaneous StO levels was feasible in all sixteen volunteers. A significant (P