Active IR-Thermal Imaging in Medicine

Abstract

In this paper we summarize results of several research projects devoted to development of new diagnostic methods and procedures based on quantitative infrared thermography in medical applications. First, basics of active dynamic thermography are presented. Described are both, instrumentation and software comprising measurement procedures including collection of series of IR-images after external excitation, data treatment with displacement corrections, reduction of noise and artifacts and finally presentation of parametric diagnostic images. The thermal tomography method is also shortly discussed. As the most important for medical diagnostics parametric images of thermal time constants are discussed. For illustration of the value of presented methods chosen research and clinical applications performed in several clinics of Gdansk Medical University are presented. In vivo experiments on animals, mainly domestic pig, as well as clinical diagnostic procedures are discussed in skin burn and cardiosurgery applications. Specific requirements of IR-thermal investigation in medical applications are discussed in comparison to IR-thermal imaging in technical non-destructive evaluation. It should be underlined that medical applications of IR-diagnostics seem to be the most difficult among other applications as heat transfers in living tissues are far more complicated comparing to technical

TSR method for burns investigation approach

“…The research teams at the Biomedical Engineering Department of Gdansk University of Technology and in the Plastic Surgery Department of Gdansk Medical University have been working together in the field of IR-thermal imaging for the evaluation of burn wound depths for many years [1] [2]. Previous publications by this group have evaluated the usefulness of static thermography (ST) and active dynamic thermography (ADT).…”

3D dynamic thermography system for biomedical applications

“…In addition to the usual passive method of thermography, dynamic thermography has been implemented as a valuable extension of the static thermography [15]. Dynamic thermography is based on the introduction of an external thermal stimulation and the subsequent observation of the thermal recovery process of the area of interest.…”

Design and analysis of computer experiments for efficient model-based active thermography in the agro-food sector

“…The two main types are pulsed thermography, in which a heat pulse is applied to the sample surface, and lock-in thermography, in which sinusoidal thermal waves are emitted by the excitation source [3]. AT is being studied intensively in several domains, such as building diagnostics [4], inspection of automotive and airplane parts [5], medical screening [6], inspection of artwork and historical monuments [7], etc. Several defect types can be detected, such as delaminations, cracks, voids and foreign material inclusions [3].…”