Table 1.

Wound imaging methods for tissue analysis and shape measurements

Wound imaging method	Features	Application in wound care	Advantages	Disadvantages
Color imaging	Three broad channel RGB sensor	Basic tissue classification Shape measurements	Available on all smartphones High spatial resolution	Limited 3D reconstruction precision on poor textured wounds
Multispectral/Hyperspectral imaging	Visible and/or near IR sensor Up to several hundreds of narrow bands.	Enhanced tissue classification Oxygen saturation Bacterial environment	High spectral resolution	No add-on sensor for smartphone. Powerful illumination required
Thermal imaging	Mid-infrared band sensor	Insights on tissue inflammation and healing effectiveness	Add-on sensor available	Low thermal precision and poor spatial resolution
Light pattern	Projection of laser lines or infrared speckle	Shape measurements	Available on some smartphones with infrared light pattern	Implies specific lighting system for pattern projection.
Time of flight	Time taken by light to reach a point and go back to the sensor.	Shape analysis and volume measurement	Add-on sensor available High robustness for shape measurements	Scanning required to create a 3D map. Device customization needed to comply with wound small size.

3D, three-dimensional.