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Perometers are designed to measure the volume of human extremities or, if desired, the whole trunk as well. Perometer measurements are characterized by very high precision of the measurement results as well as simple operability.
To get an impression of how easy it is to perform a Perometer measurement, you might wish to take a look at the following video example: It gives you a first idea of PeroScan volume versus time analysis, measurement precision and repeat accuracy. Basis is a simple measurement series of a leg that is held still during a first series of 80 leg scans. During the following 30 scans the leg performs toe-stands between each two measurements. A volume change of approx. 5%, based on the calf region, is observed. Since the entire limb is always recorded in this example, the data also demonstrate the detection of a volume change of less than 2%, based on the larger volume of the entire leg of 6000 ml.
In the following we describe two typical two typical areas, where you can work with perometers. The first relates to the fitting of compressions stockings, which in Germany is already carried out to a considerable extent using perometers.
In a first step a picture is taken from the patient’ s extremity. It needs only a few seconds to record about 170 diameter pairs of the object to be measured. A scan is composed out of these diameters and is displayed on the screen – either directly after measurement or at any later time (see Fig. 1).
The markings correspond to the standard measures defined in the compression therapy and can be moved as desired by the mouse. The circumference and the length are displayed interactively for each measure. Of course the measurement system determines the direction of the local axis of the leg in order to take the circumferences vertical to it. This is necessary for the fitting of a compression stocking. A comfortable software allows to find the optimal stocking for the patient and to directly order it from the manufacturer if a made-to-measure stocking is necessary.
With a second Perometer option it is possible to analyze an edema quantitatively e.g. regarding its position on the extremity or its chronological development
The extremity is thought to consist of a large number of thin vertical slices. In a chart the circumference versus distance from the foot sole of these slices is displayed. This chart is called the “circumference profile” of the extremity. Fig. 2 shows the circumference profiles for two measurements of a right leg. The first was taken one week after an operation caused by an injury of Achille’s tendon, the second another week later. Both outlines are nearly identical (top diagram). The thinnest part at the ankle joint is characterized by a very small circumference at a length of 17cm. Identify the calf by the local circumference maximum at a length of 40cm. The thigh causes the increase in circumference on the right of the diagram.
The lower half of figure 2 shows changes of the patient’ s leg between the two pictures. The leg has shrinked in the second week after the operation, especially the calf has lost up to 2cm of its circumference during this time while the thigh has remained nearly unchanged.
The effect of a manual lymphdrainage at a patient can also be regarded with the Perometer. In order to document the process, scans of both legs are taken before and after the treatment. In addition to the options discussed here a function to create volume versus time charts is avilable. With the help of its graphs it is possible to control the success of the therapy. Realize if the therapy is going well or if it stagnates.
*) For the applications described on this page the perometer is used as a medical device. Note that outside Europe in several countries, especially in America, the intended use of a Perometer and of all other products of Pero-System currently does not comprise medical applications. Mail to info{at}pero-system.de for more information.