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O 2 microsensors for minimally invasive tissue monitoring
Tissue oxygenation is a key factor ensuring normal tissue functions and viability. Continuous real-time monitoring of the partial pressure of oxygen, p O 2 , in tissues gives insight into the dynamic fluctuations of O 2 supplies to tissues by blood circulation. Small oxygen sensors enable investigat...
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| Published in: | Journal of the Royal Society interface 2004-11, Vol.1 (1), p.109-117 |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Tissue oxygenation is a key factor ensuring normal tissue functions and viability. Continuous real-time monitoring of the partial pressure of oxygen,
p
O
2
, in tissues gives insight into the dynamic fluctuations of O
2
supplies to tissues by blood circulation. Small oxygen sensors enable investigations of the spatial variation of
p
O
2
in tissues at different locations in relation to local microvessels. In this paper,
p
O
2
measurement using microelectrodes and biocompatible sensors is discussed and recent progress of their application in human skin is reviewed. Emphasis is given to working principles of a number of existing oxygen sensors and their potential application in vivo and in tissue engineering. Results on spatial and temporal variations of the
p
O
2
in human skin introduced by localized ischaemia-reperfusion are presented when the surface of the skin is covered by an oxygen-free paraffin oil layer and the range of the tissue
p
O
2
is deduced to be between 0 and 60 mmHg. In the study,
p
O
2
increases from 8.0±3.2 mmHg (
n
=6) at the surface of the skin to 35.2±8.0 mmHg (
n
=9) at a depth just above the subpapillary plexus. Temporal decay in
p
O
2
following tissue compression and rise in
p
O
2
following pressure release can be described using mono-exponential functions. The time constant for the exponential decay,
t
=8.44±1.53 s (
n
=7) is consistently greater than that for the exponential rises,
τ
′=4.75±0.82 s (
n
=6). The difference in
p
O
2
change with the time following tissue compression and pressure release reveals different dynamic mechanisms involved in the two transient phases. The elevated steady state
p
O
2
following reperfusion, which is approximately 20% higher than the pre-occlusion value, indicates localized reactive hyperaemia. Possible applications of O
2
microsensors in diseases, e.g. tumours, pressure ulcers, are also discussed. |
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| ISSN: | 1742-5689 1742-5662 |
| DOI: | 10.1098/rsif.2004.0013 |