Application of non contact flowmeter to allergic and irritant skin reactions

Abstract

We have developed a new laser flowmeter, which can measure and visualize blood flows of a skin in non contact. Present instrument comprises a laser diode, scanner mirrors and photo-diode. The output signal from the Photo-diode is analyzed by a personal computer and a map of blood flows is visualized in a display of the computer. The method of calculate blood flows in the instrument is similar in to the commercial laser flowmeter's. So the instrument can evaluate the blood flows quantitatively.
Skin blood flows in the test of allergic and irritant reaction were measured by present instrument. Change in blood flows after 24 hours from application correlated with visual scores, but erythema was different from the increased of blood flow itself.