Download PDF
J Reconstr Microsurg 2022; 38(02): 096-105
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1732426
Original Article

A Wireless Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Device for Flap Monitoring: Proof of Concept in a Porcine Musculocutaneous Flap Model

Changsheng Wu‡   *
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Alina Y. Rwei‡   *
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
2   Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
,
Jong Yoon Lee 
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
3   Sibel Inc., Evanston, Illinois
,
Wei Ouyang
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Lauren Jacobson
4   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
,
Haixu Shen
5   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
,
Haiwen Luan
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Yameng Xu
6   Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
,
Jun Bin Park
3   Sibel Inc., Evanston, Illinois
,
Sung Soo Kwak
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Xiaoyue Ni
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Wubin Bai
5   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
,
Daniel Franklin
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Shuo Li
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Yiming Liu
7   Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
,
Xinchen Ni
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Amanda M. Westman
4   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
,
Matthew R. MacEwan
6   Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
,
John A. Rogers
1   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
5   Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
7   Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
8   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
9   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
10   Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
11   Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
,
Mitchell A. Pet 
4   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
› Author Affiliations Funding Funding for this study was received from the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Neurosurgery at Washington University, and from the Querry Simpson Institute of Bioelectronics at Northwestern University.
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Background Current near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based systems for continuous flap monitoring are highly sensitive for detecting malperfusion. However, the clinical utility and user experience are limited by the wired connection between the sensor and bedside console. This wire leads to instability of the flap–sensor interface and may cause false alarms.

Methods We present a novel wearable wireless NIRS sensor for continuous fasciocutaneous free flap monitoring. This waterproof silicone-encapsulated Bluetooth-enabled device contains two light-emitting diodes and two photodetectors in addition to a battery sufficient for 5 days of uninterrupted function. This novel device was compared with a ViOptix T.Ox monitor in a porcine rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap model of arterial and venous occlusions.

Results Devices were tested in four flaps using three animals. Both devices produced very similar tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) tracings throughout the vascular clamping events, with obvious and parallel changes occurring on arterial clamping, arterial release, venous clamping, and venous release. Small interdevice variations in absolute StO2 value readings and magnitude of change were observed. The normalized cross-correlation at zero lag describing correspondence between the novel NIRS and T.Ox devices was >0.99 in each trial.

Conclusion The wireless NIRS flap monitor is capable of detecting StO2 changes resultant from arterial vascular occlusive events. In this porcine flap model, the functionality of this novel sensor closely mirrored that of the T.Ox wired platform. This device is waterproof, highly adhesive, skin conforming, and has sufficient battery life to function for 5 days. Clinical testing is necessary to determine if this wireless functionality translates into fewer false-positive alarms and a better user experience.

Keywords

tissue perfusion monitoring - near-infrared spectroscopy - flap monitoring

* These authors contributed equally to this study.




Publication History

Received: 29 March 2021

Accepted: 12 May 2021

Article published online:
17 August 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

  • References

  • 1 Harashina T, Fujino T, Watanabe S. The intimal healing of microvascular anastomoses. Plast Reconstr Surg 1976; 58 (05) 608-613
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Chao AH, Meyerson J, Povoski SP, Kocak E. A review of devices used in the monitoring of microvascular free tissue transfers. Expert Rev Med Devices 2013; 10 (05) 649-660
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Rozen WM, Enajat M, Whitaker IS, Lindkvist U, Audolfsson T, Acosta R. Postoperative monitoring of lower limb free flaps with the Cook-Swartz implantable Doppler probe: a clinical trial. Microsurgery 2010; 30 (05) 354-360
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Guillemaud JP, Seikaly H, Cote D, Allen H, Harris JR. The implantable Cook-Swartz Doppler probe for postoperative monitoring in head and neck free flap reconstruction. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008; 134 (07) 729-734
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Zhang T, Dyalram-Silverberg D, Bui T, Caccamese Jr JF, Lubek JE. Analysis of an implantable venous anastomotic flow coupler: experience in head and neck free flap reconstruction. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2012; 41 (06) 751-755
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Rozen WM, Chubb D, Whitaker IS, Acosta R. The efficacy of postoperative monitoring: a single surgeon comparison of clinical monitoring and the implantable Doppler probe in 547 consecutive free flaps. Microsurgery 2010; 30 (02) 105-110
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Berthelot M, Ashcroft J, Boshier P. et al. Use of near-infrared spectroscopy and implantable Doppler for postoperative monitoring of free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2019; 7 (10) e2437-e2438
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Paydar KZ, Hansen SL, Chang DS, Hoffman WY, Leon P. Implantable venous Doppler monitoring in head and neck free flap reconstruction increases the salvage rate. Plast Reconstr Surg 2010; 125 (04) 1129-1134
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Kagaya Y, Miyamoto S. A systematic review of near-infrared spectroscopy in flap monitoring: current basic and clinical evidence and prospects. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2018; 71 (02) 246-257
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Inbal A, Song DH. Discussion: does increased experience with tissue oximetry monitoring in microsurgical breast reconstruction lead to decreased flap loss? The learning effect. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016; 137 (04) 1102-1103
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Koolen PGL, Vargas CR, Ho OA. et al. Does increased experience with tissue oximetry monitoring in microsurgical breast reconstruction lead to decreased flap loss? The learning effect. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016; 137 (04) 1093-1101
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Xu S, Zhang Y, Jia L. et al. Soft microfluidic assemblies of sensors, circuits, and radios for the skin. Science 2014; 344 (6179): 70-74
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Chung HU, Rwei AY, Hourlier-Fargette A. et al. Skin-interfaced biosensors for advanced wireless physiological monitoring in neonatal and pediatric intensive-care units. Nat Med 2020; 26 (03) 418-429
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Lee K, Ni X, Lee JY. et al. Mechano-acoustic sensing of physiological processes and body motions via a soft wireless device placed at the suprasternal notch. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 4 (02) 148-158
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Suzuki S, Takasaki S, Ozaki T, Kobayashi Y. Tissue oxygenation monitor using NIR spatially resolved spectroscopy. In: Chance B, Alfano RR, Tromberg BJ. eds. Optical Tomography and Spectroscopy of Tissue III. Vol. 3597. SPIE Proceedings. International Society for Optics and Photonics. 1999: 582-592
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 16 Matcher SJ, Kirkpatrick PJ, Nahid K, Cope M, Delpy DT. Absolute quantification methods in tissue near-infrared spectroscopy. In: Chance B, Alfano RR. eds. Optical Tomography, Photon Migration, and Spectroscopy of Tissue and Model Media: Theory, Human Studies, and Instrumentation. Vol. 2389. SPIE Proceedings. International Society for Optics and Photonics; 1995: 486-495
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 17 Lindkvist M, Granåsen G, Grönlund C. Coherent derivation of equations for differential spectroscopy and spatially resolved spectroscopy: an undergraduate tutorial. Spectrosc Lett 2013; 46 (04) 243-249
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Bodin F, Diana M, Koutsomanis A, Robert E, Marescaux J, Bruant-Rodier C. Porcine model for free-flap breast reconstruction training. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2015; 68 (10) 1402-1409
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Rothfuss MA, Franconi NG, Unadkat JV. et al. A system for simple real-time anastomotic failure detection and wireless blood flow monitoring in the lower limbs. IEEE J Transl Eng Health Med 2016; 4: 4100114
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Unadkat JV, Rothfuss M, Mickle MH, Sejdic E, Gimbel ML. The development of a wireless implantable blood flow monitor. Plast Reconstr Surg 2015; 136 (01) 199-203
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Rothfuss MA, Unadkat JV, Gimbel ML, Mickle MH, Sejdić E. Totally implantable wireless ultrasonic Doppler blood flowmeters: toward accurate miniaturized chronic monitors. Ultrasound Med Biol 2017; 43 (03) 561-578
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Oda H, Beker L, Kaizawa Y. et al. A novel technology for free flap monitoring: pilot study of a wireless, biodegradable sensor. J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36 (03) 182-190
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Boutry CM, Beker L, Kaizawa Y. et al. Biodegradable and flexible arterial-pulse sensor for the wireless monitoring of blood flow. Nat Biomed Eng 2019; 3 (01) 47-57
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Chang EI, Ibrahim A, Zhang H. et al. Deciphering the sensitivity and specificity of the implantable Doppler probe in free flap monitoring. Plast Reconstr Surg 2016; 137 (03) 971-976
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Anctil V, Brisebois S, Fortier P-H. Free flap anastomosis leak after implantable Doppler removal. OTO Open 2017; 1 (01) X17697057
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Berthelot M, Yang G-Z, Lo B. A self-calibrated tissue viability sensor for free flap monitoring. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2018; 22 (01) 5-14
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Berthelot M, Henry FP, Hunter J. et al. Pervasive wearable device for free tissue transfer monitoring based on advanced data analysis: clinical study report. J Biomed Opt 2019; 24 (06) 1-8
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Berthelot M, Chen C-M, Yang G-Z, Lo B. Wireless wearable self-calibrated sensor for perfusion assessment of myocutaneous tissue. In: IEEE; 2016: 171-176
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Chen CM, Kwasnicki R. Wearable tissue oxygenation monitoring sensor and a forearm vascular phantom design for data validation. In: 2014 11th International Conference on Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Networks. 2014
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Kozusko S, Gbulie U. Detecting microsurgical complications with ViOptix tissue oximetry in a pediatric myocutaneous free flap: case presentation and literature review. J Reconstr Microsurg Open 2018; 03 (01) e8-e12
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar