The hand-held, portable SEM Scanner is a point-of-care diagnostic tool that measures increased fluid content within the skin and underlying tissue known as subepidermal moisture (SEM). SEM can serve as a biophysical marker of inflammation indicative of impending skin damage and pressure ulcer formation. In clinical studies, SEM has been shown to identify pressure-induced tissue damage—including pressure ulcers—up to 10 days before damage becomes visible on the skin's surface.
Early detection of pressure ulcers can lead to targeted interventions, reduced ulceration severity, and early recovery as well as shorter hospitalization. Additional advantages of the SEM Scanner over other diagnostic modalities include objective, evidence-based measurements; non-invasive, rapid results; clear risk assessment documentation; standardized patient assessment; and minimal technical skills for operation, according to the company.
BBI currently is working to improve the product to include wireless syncing to the BBI Databank for rapid analytics and reporting to healthcare providers. BBI developed the SEM Scanner (a Class IIA device) in conjunction with researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).