Thermography in Medicine
The application of thermal imaging for medical studies is versatile and efficient
Thermography as non-contact and non-invasive process is gentle on the person being examined
Infrared camera systems provide a detailed picture of the body temperature's distribution in an efficient way
Thermography is able to identify various patterns pointing to diseases
Imaging of smallest temperature differences in high resolution
Thermography for Human Medical Studies
Infrared camera systems enable the imaging of body temperature
The body temperature is an essential indicator for people’s health, and thus, much attention has been given to its determination. Measuring temperature with infrared camera systems comes with particular advantages. As a non-contact and non-invasive procedure, thermography is gentle on the person being examined. It does not only provide punctual temperature measurement but gives a detailed image of the full body temperature distribution.
Thermography has been used for a wide range of medical studies from monitoring of cardiorespiratory signals and observation of laser-based cornea operations in the eye to hygro-thermo-mechanical performance of wheelchair cushion technologies in the prevention of pressure ulcers and moisture-associated skin damages (see publications).
Thermography is a flexible and budget-friendly analysis method
Since a wide range of physical functions can be analyzed through information on the body’s temperature distribution, thermography represents a highly flexible method which is also budget-friendly compared to other types of analysis. Thermographic inspections often reveal disturbances in bodily functions. Thus, by applying regulation thermography, analyzed body parts are exposed to a cold stimulus. Healthy body regions and organs balance out this intervention on the body-heat in another way than unhealthy ones. This for instance can provide an early indication of breast cancer. However, also the correct positioning of an acupuncture needle can be controlled by an infrared camera since heat development might differentiate depending on whether the needle has been placed on the right spot or not.
Thermal Resolution of Infrared Camera Systems Determines a Successful Analysis
On applying thermography for medical analysis, a question arises in terms of thermal resolution, which is the infrared camera’s ability to detect smallest differences in temperature. Minimal differences in degrees Celsius (hundredth of a degree) can be a crucial factor for a successful analysis.
InfraTec provides with its VarioCAM® series highest thermal resolutions in the uncooled infrared camera segment. These infrared camera systems can be equipped with close-up lenses in order to analyze smallest body regions in detail. Thus, skin reactions like perspiration or temperature changes of the eyes are observable in an accurate way with the help of an infrared camera.
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Thermography in Veterinary Medicine
Various Disease Patterns are Detectable by Means of Thermography
Medical examinations of animals can be carried out in an efficient way by applying infrared camera systems. Their body temperature can indicate multiple health problems. These may affect the animal itself, as for instance diseases of the udder or hoof, or they result from animal husbandry, as it is in the case of an incorrect application of saddles causing pressure points and, following, local overheating on horses. Inflammation and lameness are further problems which can be detected with the help of thermography.
Infrared Camera’s Compactness and Small Size allows its Flexible Application
In particular, the application of infrared camera systems is of interest due to their high mobility and – in contrast to many other procedures of veterinary medical engineering – can, therefore, be taken into stables. InfraTec’s camera series VarioCAM® impresses especially with their small size and low weight. Moreover, thermography is a non-contact measurement process which ensures that animals are not unnecessarily provoked.
Reliable Diagnoses only with Excellent Thermal Resolutions of Infrared Camera Systems
Minimal differences of an animal’s body temperature can be an indicator for disease patterns. Thus, applied infrared camera systems must detect smallest temperature differences requiring excellent thermal resolutions. InfraTec provides with its VarioCAM® series highest thermal resolutions and minimal differences in degrees Celsius (hundredth of a degree) in the uncooled infrared camera segment.
