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Biomedical subjects

K R Vowden

Publications and source records attributed to K R Vowden.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Leg ulcer management in a nurse-led, hospital-based clinic.

This paper describes the clinical outcomes from a nurse-led leg ulcer clinic over a period of three and a half years. Leg ulcers were assessed in a structured way and venous ulcers were treated with four-layer compression bandaging. The study involved retrospective analysis of 159 patients with 180 venous leg ulcers. Overall healing rates were 64.5% at 12 weeks, 84.1% at 24 weeks and 91.4% at 36 weeks. Healing rates were not affected by a history of previous ulceration or by bilateral limb ulceration. However, healing rates varied with previous ulcer duration, ulcer size and patient mobility.

Activities of Daily Living

Measuring leg ulcers using a laser displacement sensor.

A non-contact method for the measurement of a skin ulcer's area and volume has been developed. A commercially available laser displacement sensor is scanned across the ulcer's surface to produce a displacement image. From this image the healthy normal skin's surface is reconstructed and the area and volume found. Results of measurements made with phantom ulcers show that the method has a precision and accuracy +/- 5% of the total size. This compares favourably with results from other non-contact methods that have been published. The method of measurement is simple and reliable. At present, the time taken to produce a displacement image is lengthy but this is due to a limitation in the instrumentation, rather that a failing of the technique. The result of a preliminary measurement made on a patient's leg ulcer is presented.

Humans