Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring tissue edema. By a method in accordance with the invention an electromagnetic probe (24) is placed on the skin, and the capacitance of the probe is proportional to the dielectric constant of the skin and subcutaneous fat, which is proportional to the water content of the skin. The edema is scored by measuring the capacitance of the electromagnetic probe, so called open-ended coaxial cable, at a high frequency, approximately 20-500 MHz.

Abstract: A method for measuring the degree of evaporation of water through the skin includes placing a measurement chamber on the surface of the skin. The measurement chamber is a chamber which is open only at one side, and when placed on the skin it will become a totally closed chamber. During the measurement the vapor pressure is determined only in one point of the chamber. The degree of evaporation is determined by vapor pressure gradient in relation to time. An apparatus includes the measurement chamber open only at one side, and when placed on the skin it will become a totally closed chamber. Furthermore, there is a humidity sensor in the measurement chamber for measuring the vapor pressure in one point of the measurement chamber.

Abstract: A method for measuring the moisture content of skin, includes placing a probe on the skin for measuring the capacitance of the skin. An apparatus for applying the method, includes a probe and devices connected to the probe for transmitting, transferring and analyzing a signal. A wave signal is transmitted into the probe, the capacitance of the probe is measured by comparing the wave phases of the transmitted and reflected waves, and the applied radio frequency is low, approximately 0.2 to 5 MHz. The apparatus also includes a device into which a wave formed by the signal reflected from the probe is arranged to be led into a first input; and into which a wave forming the signal and transmitted to the probe is arranged to be led into a second input, whereat the capacitance can be measured by comparing the wave phases.