Laser reflectance oximetry and Doppler flowmetry in assessment of complex physiological parameters of cutaneous blood microcirculation

The integration of multiple optical techniques within a single diagnostic device is used to address the difficulties in standardising measurement of cutaneous blood micro-dynamics caused by high variability. We demonstrate the benefits of simultaneous assessment of blood relative volume (V-b), microcirculation index (I-m) and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), during long-term examination of healthy volunteers. Consequently, five rhythmic components: endothelial, neurogenic, myogenic, breath and heart pulses were established showing high variability up to 30 - 50% as well as in initial parameters around 16%. All rhythmic components were synchronous with some latency between I-m and StO2 in the myogenic component supports the hypothesis of strong correlation between peripheral hemodynamics and oxygen utilisation in tissues.