Automatic image analysis system to measure wound area in vitro

Abstract

In-vitro wound area measurement tracks the rate of wound healing. This project develops and validates an automatic image analysis system to calculate wound area from digital images of an in-vitro 3D tissue model wounded with a biopsy punch. The algorithms were evaluated for repeatability, reliability, and reproducibility, and validated against a known area. Repeatability was checked through repeated measurements under repeated conditions. Reproducibility was evaluated using a Bland Altman plot and paired t-test. Reliability was validated using an image of a known pixel area as a control. The validated image analysis system then calculated wound area from the digital camera and microscope images obtained from an in vitro photo biomodulation treatment experiment. A total of 48 wounded tissues were grouped into red and blue light treatment groups and untreated controls. All daily images were fed into the image analysis system to calculate wound area. The wound area (normalized by day 0) is plotted along the 2-week treatment experiment period to observe wound area in time. The normalised wound area plotted across treatment days show no change in wound area during the treatment period. Future work will adapt the imaging system for visualizing the reepithelialisation cell front marked by live dyes.

Keywords

• automation
• image analysis
• in vitro
• wound area
• wound healing
• image processing