High-end versus Low-end Thermal Imaging for Detection of Arterial Perforators

Abstract

Background: Thermal imaging was first reported as a method for detection of arterial perforators in 1968 and has since been shown to be an extremely accurate way to assess perforators with an audible Doppler signal, using high-end professional thermal cameras. This technology has recently become easily accessible with the advent of smartphone-compatible, low-end thermal cameras. Several groups have reported on the use of these devices in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative phase, yet there have been few attempts to validate them against existing methods or compare them with high-end thermal cameras. Methods: The aim of this study was to compare a low-end smartphone-compatible thermal camera, the FLIR ONE Pro (ONEPro), priced US $400, with a high-end thermal camera the FLIR A35sc (A35sc), priced US $5000, for the detection of arterial perforators on the anterolateral thigh, using a handheld Doppler and Color Doppler Ultrasound to verify the results. Results: We examined 23 thighs in 13 healthy volunteers and identified a total of 779 hotspots using both cameras. The A35sc identified on average 33.5 hotspots per thigh. The ONEPro identified on average 31.5 hotspots per thigh. Using a handheld Doppler, we confirmed 95.9% of hotspots identified with the ONEPro and 95.8% of hotspots identified with the A35sc. Using Color Doppler Ultrasound, we confirmed 95% of hotspots identified using the ONEPro and 94.9% of hotspots identified with the A35sc. Conclusion: While the high-end camera identified slightly more hotspots, verification data were very similar for the 2 cameras, and for clinical purposes these differences are negligible.

Relative Stability of Regional Facial and Ocular Temperature Measurements in Healthy Individuals

“…Infrared images were obtained using the infrared camera of a small, portable FLIR ONE Pro device (Teledyne FLIR, Santa Barbara, CA) that captured naturally emitted radiation in the 8- to 14-µm thermo-imaging wavelength. 14 This infrared camera had a focal plane array size of 160 × 120. A temperature range of −20°C to 120°C was selected.…”

Smartphone-based imaging systems for medical applications: a critical review

“…This review includes applications using the FLIR One smartphone sensor in both diagnostic and treatment guidance applications. 22 , 37 – 41 …”

“…Treatment guidance imaging systems may have many overlapping requirements with diagnostic applications but primarily differ in that they have more stringent requirements for real-time visualization and analysis to provide active procedural guidance and support more rapid clinical decision making. Recent reports for SBI systems and applications that involve treatment guidance include image-guided surgery, 18 – 20 , 22 , 37 , 38 , 41 management of severe burn injuries, 40 , 95 PDT, 6 – 9 and venipuncture. 63 , 136 …”

Reply to Letter to the Editor regarding “Thermal imaging for microvascular free tissue transfer monitoring: A feasibility study using a low cost, commercially available mobile phone imaging system”

“…1 Its low cost and ease-of-use are certainly attractive and its reliability compared to standard scientific thermal camera has been demonstrated. 2 In conclusion, we believe that there are countless applications of direct-to-consumer technology such as the FLIR One thermal camera in the health care industry. In an effort to further push the envelope, we believe the next frontier is to identify a low-cost, non-invasive flap monitoring device for buried free flaps such as the gracilis for facial reanimation or the anterolateral thigh for total laryngectomy reconstruction.…”