ROBERT E HANNEMANN, MD
Medical Practice at Greenbush St, Lafayette, IN

4423736, Jan 3, 1984

Oct 13, 1981

6/310474

David P. DeWitt - West Lafayette IN
Robert E. Hannemann - West Lafayette IN
Barrett F. Robinson - West Lafayette IN
Edward J. Hanley - Broken Arrow OK

Purdue Research Foundation - West Lafayette IN

A61B 600

128633

A method is disclosed for evaluating erythema utilizing skin reflection measurements. By collecting and analyzing data representative of both normal and erythematous skin utilizing reflectance spectra within a range of 400 to 700 nm, distinctive spectral features of erythema have been identified. A relationship representing a function of normal and erythematous skin reflectance at three specific wavelengths (500 nm, 550 nm, and 595 nm) was developed to provide an absolute measure of the vascular response of the skin, which measure is independent of pigmentation characteristics of the skin and takes into consideration normal fluctuations in skin color. By varying the exposure of the skin to radiation from a predetermined source and then measuring the reflectance of the skin at particular time periods and at a plurality (preferably three) of different wavelengths, the relative changes in superficial blood volume due to erythema are isolated. The method is thus useful for monitoring dosage dependence and time response of erythema, and is particularly well suited, for example, for determining sensitivity of skin to ultraviolet radiation, evaluation of sun screening agents and/or screening of individuals for susceptibility to irritation and/or irritants.

4029085, Jun 14, 1977

Mar 26, 1976

5/670838

David P. DeWitt - West Lafayette IN
Robert E. Hannemann - West Lafayette IN
John F. Wiechel - Houston TX

Purdue Research Foundation - West Lafayette IN

A61B 500

128 2R

A method is disclosed for determining the bilirubin concentration in the blood serum of a person from measurement of the spectral reflectance of the skin. The disclosed method detects the severity of jaundice, a common neonatal condition, and enables determination of the type of treatment regimen needed to prevent the bilirubin level from becoming sufficiently high to cause kernicterus which can result in brain damage. The method includes measuring the reflectance of the skin within a predetermined frequency spectrum, and more particularly at a number of specific wavelengths in the visible portion of the spectrum.