Évaluation du flux sanguin cutané.
Designation:
Laser Doppler Flowmetry unit for the comprehensive evaluation of blood microcirculation.
Manufacturer: Perimed AB (Sweden).
Main Function:
- Continuous, non-invasive measurement of microvascular tissue blood perfusion.
- Evaluation of skin and superficial muscle blood flow.
- Extensively used in clinical research, human physiology, vascular medicine, and advanced sports science.
Technical Characteristics:
Principle: Measurement based on the Doppler shift of laser light scattered by moving red blood cells within the tissue capillary bed.
Laser Source: Low-intensity solid-state laser diode (typically operating at 780–820 nm).
Measurement Depth: Focuses on superficial microcirculation (approx. 1–1.5 mm beneath the skin surface).
Sampling Frequency: Up to 40 Hz (depending on the specific model and configuration).
Output Unit: Arbitrary Perfusion Units (PU).
Options and Expansions:
- Available in both portable modules and advanced stationary multi-channel desktop systems.
- Multipoint measurement capabilities (using multiple probes simultaneously).
- Seamless integration with provocation systems (e.g., local heating units, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia tests, iontophoresis).
- PC connectivity equipped with PeriSoft for Windows software for real-time monitoring and advanced data analysis.
Usage:
- Medical and scientific research investigating cutaneous, muscular, and cerebral microcirculation.
- Clinical diagnosis and monitoring of peripheral vascular pathologies (e.g., diabetic foot, critical limb ischemia).
- Sports science studies focusing on thermoregulation, endothelial function, and muscle recovery mechanisms.
- Monitoring wound healing progress and skin graft vascularization.
Advantages:
- Completely non-invasive and painless assessment method.
- Exceptional sensitivity to rapid and minute microcirculatory variations.
- Real-time physiological analysis empowered by dedicated, advanced software.
- Highly versatile, catering to a wide array of clinical and sports-related applications.
Limitations:
- Results are inherently expressed in arbitrary Perfusion Units (PU), which cannot be directly converted into absolute physiological blood flow values (e.g., ml/min/100g).
- High sensitivity to motion artifacts (even slight patient movements can distort the signal).
- Represents a significant financial investment (relatively high cost).