| abstract |
A method for distinguishing between a full thickness and a partial thickness skin burn in a patient having a skin burn. The method includes administering a fluorescent compound, which is excited by infrared light, to the patient to cause the compound to enter one or more capillaries below and adjacent the skin burn. The compound is then excited with infrared light, and the amount of fluorescence of the compound caused by the infrared light detected at the skin burn and at unburned skin adjacent the skin burn. The ratio of fluorescence detected at the skin burn and at the unburned skin is an indication of the thickness of the skin burn, e.g., a ratio of less than 0.4 indicates a full thickness skin burn. |