Skip to main content
Log in

Noninvasive method for the assessment of subcutaneous oedema

  • Published:
Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A well defined step compression was applied over an area of the skin and maintained for a fixed time. The resistive force of the tissue, which was continuously recorded, decreased with time as a function of the translocation of fluid volume to the surrounding areas. The rate of decrease was proportional to the fluid mobility. Measurements on ten normal subjects and 14 oedematous patients showed marked differences in the pattern of fluid translocation. Flow rate and total volume flow under compression were calculated and found to vary with the degree of oedema. This noninvasive technique can measure the degree of oedema, which provides important information for diagnosis and treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

V(t) :

volume of translocated fluid in timet

F(t) :

tissue resistive force to deformation

h :

compression depth

A :

surface area

k :

spring constant

References

  • Aukland, K. (1973) Autoregulation of interstitial fluid volume: oedema preventing mechanisms.Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest.,31, 247–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brace, A. R. andGuyton, A. C. (1979) Interstitial fluid pressure: capsule, free fluid, gel fluid, and gel absorption pressure in subcutaneous tissue.Microvasc. Res.,18, 217–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brody, G. S., Peng, T. J. andLandel, R. F. (1981) The rheological properties of human skin and scar tissues. InBioengineering and the skin. (Marks, R. andPayne, P. A. (Eds.) Int. Med. Publ., Lancaster, UK, 147–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broman, S. andWigertz O. (1971) Transient dynamics of ventilation and heart rate with step changes in work load from different load levels.Acta Physiol. Scand.,81, 71–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick, J. C. (1951) The tension and resistance to stretching of human skin and other membranes, with results from a series of normal and oedematous cases.J. Physiol.,112, 102–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finly, J. B. (1978) Thixotropy in human skin.J. Biomech.,11, 333–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guyton, A. C. (1965) Interstitial fluid pressure II Pressurevolume curve of interstitial space.Circ. Res.,16, 452–460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guyton, A. C. (1971)Textbook of medical physiology. Saunders, Philadephia, USA, 241–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guyton, A. C., Granger, H. J. andTaylor, A. E. (1971) Interstitial fluid pressure.Physiol. Rev.,51, 527–563.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickman, E., Lindan, O., Reswick, J. B. andScanlan, R. H. (1966) Deformation and flow in compressed skin tissues. Biomed. Fluid Mech. Symp. Proc., ASME, Denver.

  • Mridha, M. andÖdman, S. (1984) Mechanical wave transmission in subscutaneous oedema. XLI Läkaresällskapets Riksstämma, Stockholm, MTF 5.

  • Mridha, M. andÖdman, S. (1985) Characterization of odedema by mechanical impedance measurement.J. Invest. Dermatol.,85, 576–578.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Potts, R. O., Buras, E. M. andChrisman, D. A. (1984) Changes with age in moisture content of human skin.,82, 97–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schade, H. (1926) Gewebselastometrie klinichem und allgemeinärztlichen XGebrauch.Munch. Med. Wschr.,153, 2241–2246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, A. B. (1916) The clinical study of oedema by means of elastometer.Arch. Internal Med.,17, 396–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sodeman, M. A. andBurch, G. E. (1938) A direct method for the estimation of skin distensibility with its application to the study of vascular states.J. Clin. Invest.,17, 785–793.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinmetz, M. A. andAdams, T. (1981) Epidermal water and electrolyte content and the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of skin. InBioengineering and the skin,Marks,R. andPayne,P. A. (Eds.) Int., Med. Publ., Lancaster, UK, 197–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stranden, E. andEnge, I. (1982) Computed tomography in the investigation of leg oedema following arterial reconstructions,Europ. J. Radiol.,2, 113–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tregear, R. T. (1966)Physical functions of skin. Academic Press, London, 72–95.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mridha, M., Ödman, S. Noninvasive method for the assessment of subcutaneous oedema. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 24, 393–398 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442694

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02442694

Keywords

Navigation