Researchers at Aston University have unveiled a precise technique for identifying blood flow disorders in the feet of older adults and individuals with type 2 diabetes. The findings appear in the journal IEEE Transactions in Biomedical Engineering, underscoring a significant advance in noninvasive diagnostics for vascular health in high-risk populations.
Blood flow disruption in the limbs can have severe consequences, including tissue damage and the potential need for limb amputation. Foot complications are a common and serious problem for people living with type 2 diabetes and for the elderly, making reliable assessment tools essential for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
The new approach builds on the established laser Doppler flowmetry method, which has long been used to gauge microvascular blood flow beneath the skin. Originating in the late 1970s, traditional laser Doppler flowmeters provide an overall estimate of blood flow over a tissue area, rather than addressing flow in specific vessels. This can obscure critical variations in small veins and capillaries that are often the first to show signs of impairment. The Aston University team has refined this technology to allow clinicians to observe blood flow at the level of individual vessels, offering a more detailed picture of microcirculation.
In the study, researchers evaluated the enhanced method in two groups: healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes. The procedure is noninvasive and straightforward. A compact device is placed on the skin, enabling real-time measurements without any incisions or injections. The results demonstrated increased accuracy and sensitivity compared with conventional laser Doppler flowmetry, providing clinicians with clearer information about the distribution of blood flow in feet and potentially other tissues.
Beyond its immediate clinical value for foot health, the improved technique holds promise for broader applications. The team highlighted the potential to visualize cerebral blood flow and other tissues in the future, which could contribute to early detection and monitoring of vascular disorders across multiple organ systems. Such versatility would be especially valuable in aging populations and individuals managing chronic conditions that affect circulation.
The noninvasive nature of the method also supports repeated measurements with minimal discomfort, making it suitable for regular screening and ongoing monitoring. As diabetic foot care remains a key area of focus in preventive medicine, the ability to track microvascular changes over time could inform treatment plans, lifestyle interventions, and timely referrals to specialists.
In summary, Aston University’s refined laser-based approach represents a meaningful step forward in the noninvasive assessment of limb blood flow. By enabling precise evaluation at the level of individual capillaries and small veins, this method has the potential to improve early detection of circulation problems, guide therapeutic decisions, and reduce the risk of severe complications for at-risk patients. Researchers anticipate ongoing optimization and expansion of the technology to broaden its clinical scope and to support research into brain and tissue perfusion in the future. (Source: IEEE Transactions in Biomedical Engineering)