Measurement Device: Cutometer© MPA 580

The Cutometer^© MPA 580 (Courage & Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany) is a non-invasive suction device developed for the objective and quantitative assessment of mechanical skin properties (Figure 1). It is used for measuring pliability of the affected tissue.¹⁹ Cutometer^© measurements are provided in the form of a curve representing the skin’s response to the applied suction (Figure 2). After application of negative pressure, in the offset period following suction, the deformation of the scar initially does not return to baseline. Therefore, a rest of at least ten minutes between examiners was observed to allow for skin recovery to the original status.

A Cutometer^© MPA580 (Courage & Khazaka, Cologne/Germany) including a 6mm probe and customary powerbank for wireless power supply.

Cutometer output parameter R0 representing the maximum skin deformation in mm as result of the applied suction.

By application of a controlled vacuum for a defined period of time (On-time) using a probe with circular opening of varying diameter (2, 4, 6, 8 mm), the patients skin experiences a vertical deformation, followed by a relaxation period after the negative pressure has been released (Off-time). This process leads to the skin being drawn into the probe aperture during On-time where an infra-red light and corresponding sensor measure the distance to which the skin extends during the suction period and retracts after its release during Off-time. The skin’s response to negative pressure and following release is displayed as elevation-time curves (extension in mm/time) during the measurement by the software Cutometer^© Q in real-time. From these curves a number of parameters are calculated representing different quantitative measures of mechanical skin properties as firmness, pliability, and elasticity (Table 1).²⁰ Results can be exported to an excel sheet and saved yielding an objective assessment independent of the observer.

Definition of Cutometer output-parameters