MolecuLight i:X Wound Imaging in St. Louis

MolecuLight i:X is a portable imaging device that detects fluorescence in bacteria in wounds. It contains a rechargeable battery and a touch-sensitive color LCD screen. In both normal imaging and fluorescent imaging modes, it can capture real-time snapshots and videos.

The technician can switch between modes by pressing a button on the gadget. Imaging is conducted at a distance of about four to five inches from the wound.

How MolecuLight i:X Works

The images are used to detect fluorescent bacteria and are shown at the point of care. When treated, this aids wound closure. The procedure also determines the length, breadth, and area of a wound. To identify the wound boundary, WoundStickers are inserted on opposing sides of the wound.

The MolecuLight i:X process involves emitting a violet light at a specific wavelength. This interacts with the bacteria and injured tissue. It produces a green glow in the wound and surrounding skin (due to collagen), as well as a red or cyan fluorescence in potentially hazardous bacteria (because of the production of porphyrins or pyoverdine by bacteria).

MolecuLight i:X captures these fluorescence signals and displays them on a screen for a medical specialist to assess.

The MolecuLight is a wound care image diagnostics device. It is a real-time detection device that looks similar to a heavy or large smartphone but can be operated seamlessly. It helps doctors get a visual of the bacteria infecting the wound while aiding in clinical assessment.

The MolecuLight procedure works by first taking a picture of the wound to document it, and it also provides real-time fluorescence wound imaging. When this is illuminated on the wound, it makes the bacteria give off a different color to the flesh. This illumination helps doctors distinguish between the issues affecting the wound.

Using this imaging device method to treat wounds means doctors have a reliable and cutting-edge tool that helps doctors with the following

  • Document the wound
  • Locate the bacteria
  • Identify the bacteria
  • Provide continued care

Imaging in wound care is a medical necessity. Not only does it document the current status of the wound, but it also sheds light on the wound's healing progress through images.

Used in Conjunction with MolecuLight i:X

MolecuLight i:X is designed to work with a number of accessories, including:

  • WoundStickers, which are positioned close to the wound to measure the surface area. These stickers can be used in the conventional imaging mode.
  • DarkDrape, a built-in adaptor designed for obtaining the best possible image for when the lights in the room can't be switched off. DarkDrape is connected to MolecuLight i:X through an adapter device.
  • Optical lens wipes for cleaning the display screen and visible components in between uses.

Overall, the purpose of MolecuLight i:X is to aid wound evaluation by concentrating cleansing, debriding, and swabbing of the area where bacteria are present. It also aims to enhance antibiotic stewardship and optimize the timing of infected wound therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions we most often receive in regard to MolecuLight i:X. To learn more, please contact our medical staff directly.

Why is wound imaging for bacteria important?

Bacteria are found just about everywhere, even on our skin. Bacteria that dwell on our bodies are mostly harmless and may actually help us live healthy lives.

Bacteria that have grown to a large level in a wound, on the other hand, might hinder it from healing and can often lead to complications, such as infection.

The MolecuLight i:X is used by a wound care expert to determine where and how germs are present in the wound. This aids medical professionals in determining the best treatment moving forward.

What does the MolecuLightprocedure entail?

By using Moleculite to treat chronic wounds in a patient, the physicians can rely on eight steps. These stages help with patient care from beginning to end when the wound heals completely. The steps are:

  • Wound Assessment: This first step in the MolecuLight procedure begins when you, the patient, walk into the physician's office for wound assessment. The process involves measuring the wound size and using fluorescent light to help determine the presence of bacteria in that wound.
  • Cleaning: Once the clinician has an idea of where they should be working, they clean the area with the bacteria and prepare the wound bed for the next step.
  • Debridement: Debriding is the process of removing infected, damaged, or dead tissue from the wound. It helps the wound to heal quickly while preventing further damage to the healthy tissue underneath.
  • Sampling: After removing unhealthy tissue, samples are taken for a clinical study to detect bacteria and the bacterial load.
  • Documentation: The wound is documented to provide a reference point during subsequent appointments when the clinician assesses the healing progress. This process includes wound area measurement.
  • Treatment selection: Using the information gathered during the sampling and documentation steps, the medication you receive may need adjusting to enhance treatment. The surface area of the wound and the progress of wound treatment are taken into account at this point.
  • Antibiotic stewardship: It refers to finding the right medication and using it responsibly as you undergo treatment. There is a potential for abuse of medication, which can impact wound healing.
  • Patient Engagement: Lastly, you, the patient, get to understand the various steps your physician will be taking as they treat your wound. They will inform you why there's a need for all the stages, for instance, debridement. It's also a chance for you to ask any questions you have.

What bacteria can be detected by MolecuLight i:X?

Preclinical research has shown that the following species may emit noticeable red fluorescence:

Gram negative aerobic species

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Escherichia coli
  • Proteus mirabilis
  • Proteus vulgaris
  • Enterobacter cloacae
  • Serratia marcescens
  • Acinetobacter baumannii
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Klebsiella oxytoca
  • Morganella morganii
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
  • Citrobacter koseri
  • Citrobacter freundii
  • Aeromonas hydrophilia
  • Alcaligenes faecalis
  • Pseudomonas putida

Gram positive aerobic species

  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Staphylococcus epidermis
  • Staphlyoccus lugdunensis
  • Staphylococcus capitis
  • Corynebacterium striatum
  • Bacillus cereus
  • Listeria monocytogenes

Anaerobic species

  • Bacteroides fragilis
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Peptostreptococcus anaerobius
  • Propionibacterium acnes
  • Veillonella parvula

What are the clinical benefits of undergoing MolecuLight i:X?

The procedure is performed at the point of treatment to assist wound care practitioners in optimizing all wound procedures, including increased sample accuracy, more effective wound cleansing and debridement, plus dressing and antimicrobial selection.

The i:X can not only help improve these processes, but it can also help monitor the efficacy of treatment plans in reducing bacterial load and wound size. If the patient is not responding to the existing treatment strategy, your physician can adjust the treatment plan.

Why is fluorescence imaging performed in the dark?

Fluorescence imaging with the MolecuLight i:X needs a dark environment in order to properly identify germs. The apparatus requires darkness to observe fluorescence signals released by bacteria and other biological components in a wound.

Is the violet light emitted by the MolecuLight i:X safe?

Absolutely. The i:X uses violet light, which is safe to be around, rather than ultraviolet (UV) light to illuminate bacteria. The i:X device is a Risk Group 1 device, and the laser is a Class 1 laser. This signifies that the gadget does not generate enough energy to harm skin or eyes in typical usage.

It is not necessary to use safety glasses. However, it is not recommended that the gadget be pointed directly into the eyes.

Schedule Your Assessment & Treatment Today

At Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute, we're thrilled to be providing MolecuLight i:X imaging technology for our patients. This new technology allows access to what is quickly becoming a crucial tool for supporting clinician decision-making on the assessment and management of wounds, as part of our joint effort to raise the quality of care at our facility.

How Can Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute Help?

It's not uncommon to come across patients around St. Louis, MO, who have wounds that take a very long time to heal or those that keep recurring. This is especially true with the common diabetic foot ulcer, a recurring staph infection despite improved wound care standards.

It is estimated that one to two percent of people in the developed world suffer from chronic wounds, an issue also known as the silent wound epidemic. The great thing is there is a solution available for such wounds. The MolecuLight procedure is at the center of this new diagnosis and treatment method that holds a lot of promise for the people of St. Louis, MO.

At Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute, we're thrilled to be providing MolecuLight i:X imaging technology for our patients. This new technology allows access to what is quickly becoming a crucial tool for supporting clinician decision-making on the assessment and management of wounds, as part of our joint effort to raise the quality of care at our facility.

The Horizon Foot & Ankle Institute team is dedicated to helping patients reclaim their lives from pain and limited mobility. If you suspect you have an infection that needs to be treated, contact our team today. You can schedule an appointment by dialing (314) 381-1800 or contacting us online.

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Image Credit: MolecuLight i:X