New Imaging Technology Captures Poorly Filled Injections

New imaging technology developed by engineers at the University of Washington could allow scientists to analyze what’s going on in the system microvascular during a “liquid lifting” and better treatment.Using optical microangiography, the researchers discovered that when the charge was inadvertently injected into the blood rather than into the soft tissue of the face. The gel collects in a vessel, blocking the movement of blood and the exchange of oxygen. The team tested this in the ears of mice to show that filling injections into the blood vessels are most likely the cause of tissue death and other causes associated with the charges (see image). Doctors may try to reverse the effect of vascular blockage with hyaluronidase.

Fine resolution imaging produces three-dimensional images of the body’s vascular network by projecting light onto tissue without touching it or by adding fluorescent dyes. He can visualize blood vessels as small as 5 microns in diameter.

The research team is now testing all types of cosmetic fillers available to see if their results are valid for each brand and to evaluate new treatments to reverse drugs.

Other potential applications of the technology include analyzing wound healing, monitoring strokes and trauma, and imaging the human eyes to study diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The researchers presented the results of the study at the annual meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.