Using Spectrophotometers for Colour Matching Prosthetics: The Future of Limb Replacement Technology

Technology in prosthetics has come a long way, and if you were lucky enough to catch the inspirational commercial on Super Bowl Sunday, you could really see how innovation in this area is changing lives. Five-year-old Braylon stole the hearts of millions when he strut his stuff on state-of-the-art prosthetic legs. Today’s technology in prosthetics not only allows for patients to lead a normal and active lifestyle, but through the use of colour technology, realistic looking replacement limbs are also a reality.

Gone are the days of artificial limbs standing out because of significant difference in colour. New technology in prosthetics now utilizes spectrophotometric technology to create realistic looking cosmetic covers that match the patient’s skin tone and colour. And for some patient’s, this can make a huge difference in their confidence levels.

Utilizing colour technology in numerous ways

Spectrophotometric technology has been used in cosmetic restorations for many years. The dental field relies on this technology for orthodontic tooth restorations, in order to provide perfect colour matches for quality and aesthetic purposes. This same colour-matching technology is used for a variety of cosmetic prosthetic covers as well as skin colour analysis in silicon maxillofacial restorations. Precise colour matching is extremely important for patients with facial reconstruction needs, when visual appearance is most apparent. Using spectrophotometers to quantify the patient’s exact skin colour ensures reproducibility of the silicon replacement materials which will blend in perfectly with the original skin tone. This technology is becoming increasingly popular as the need for restorative skin prosthetics grows with early cancer detection and other various skin conditions which require restoration.

Silicon skin restoration relies on colour matching in order to provide congruency with natural skin tones. Spectrophotometers allow for precise colour analysis and quantification, which makes this exact colour matches attainable. Image Source: Flickr user Leah Tautkute

Spectrophotometers have also gained popularity in pre-assessment of the amputated limb. Biomedical optics utilize this technology to monitor oxygenation throughout the healing process and to ensure that skin conditions will remain the same once new prosthetics are applied. These various uses of spectrophotometry for medical technology and applications make this tool a necessity in today’s healthcare industry and provide quality results for numerous patients.

Prosthetic technology has become an advanced science and art, allowing patients to return to an active lifestyle and improved quality of life. Image Source: Flickr user Department of Foreign Affairs

Spectrophotometers offer true colour analysis

Relying on human colour perception and analysis for cosmetic coverings on prosthetics leaves a wide margin for error. The human eye struggles to differentiate colours accurately and results are often varied depending on individual perception. Spectrophotometers offer objective analysis of colour in the same way that is done by the human eye. This technology accounts for the effects of metamerism, where colours appear differently based on specified light sources and angles. Advanced spectrophotometers isolate these variables and offer quantifiable data that can be repeated to ensure exact colour matches.

This technology also accounts for differences in surface textures and appearances. When creating silicon colour matches for prosthetics, colour changes can occur based on production stages and product development. Wet silicon materials will appear glossy and brighter in colour, whereas cured materials exhibit a matte finish and lighter colour. Advanced spectrophotometers are designed to account for these variations, provide the most accurate results in colour matching.

The best choice in colour technology

There are many various spectrophotometers available on the market today and instrumentation is typically designed with a specific purpose in mind. At HunterLab we offer cutting-edge technology that is tailored to meet the various needs and challenges of colour measurement. Our instrumentation is uniquely adaptable to provide a variety of uses and our friendly staff is here to ensure that your instrumentation can be utilized fully for whatever application need you may have. Contact HunterLab today to learn more about our commitment to true colour measurement.