Associate professor at Florida International University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anuradha Godavarty, PhD., and colleagues have developed a novel, ultra- portable optical scanner (NIROS) to perform non-contact 2D imaging of wounds. Her current research and clinical studies of the device primarily focuses on diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers, where the latter accounts for 80 percent of all leg ulcers.

About 25 percent of diabetic patients develop foot ulcers, and foot ulceration leads to 85 percent of diabetes-related amputations. NIROS uses hemodynamic imaging to monitor healing of said wounds. It includes a measurable method to differentiate healing from non-healing wounds, where at present, it has 91 percent precision in detecting the condition of the wound without needing tissue contact or any harmful radiation.

Presently, in extensive clinical studies, this portable, handheld device can possibly impact early intervention in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers.

Anuradha Godavarty’s, PhD., device development led her to meet Dr. Ernesto A. Pretto, JR., M.D., M.P.H., professor of clinical anesthesiology at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, through whom she was introduced to two private clinicians, Dr. Stephen Wigley, Podiatric Surgeon at Wigley Foot & Ankle Inc. and Dr. Francisco Perez-Clavijo, Podiatrist at Podiatry Care Partners. This led to the commencement of her clinical trials at multiple sites in Miami.

The second round of research was tailed by Dr.Pretto in acquiring Univ of Miami’s IRB approval for her studies with Dr. Robert S. Krisner, M.D., Ph.D., the Harvey Blank Professor and chairman of the Miller School’s Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, UM.

Anuradha Godavarty is currently continuing her diabetes foot ulcer related clinical research in India with Dr. V. Mohan and his colleagues at his private practice, Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Center.