School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Fall 7-31-2026

Abstract

Introduction:  Diabetic foot ulceration and peripheral vascular disease remain major causes of morbidity and limb loss, yet early identification of tissue compromise can be challenging, particularly across diverse skin tones. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a non-invasive technology that quantifies tissue oxygenation by measuring the absorption and reflection of near-infrared light.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between oxygenation, skin tone, skin temperature, and ambient skin temperature in adults with and without risks of foot ulcers.

Method: This ongoing prospective observational study recruits English- and Spanish-speaking adults aged 18 and over from campus, clinics, and community outreach events in the Rio Grande Valley. Participants are stratified into normative or at-risk cohorts based on medial history.

Bilateral lower-extremity HIS images are acquired using MIMOSA Pro, a pocket-sized near-infrared (NIR) imaging device that absorbs light and reports tissue oxygenation and temperatures.  Demographics, medical history, Fitzpatrick skin type, skin and ambient temperatures are obtained.

Results:

Participant enrollment and image acquisition are ongoing. The study plans to enroll up to 500 adults across the at-risk and normative cohorts. Planned analyses will compare oxygenation patterns between groups and evaluate the relationships between tissue oxygenation, skin pigmentation, and clinical risk factors.

Conclusion and Plan: This study will establish normative and at-risk HIS profiles across diverse skin types and may support the development of reliable, noninvasive methods for identifying lower-extremity tissue compromise and ulceration risk earlier than existing.

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