Infrared thermal imaging in medicine
TL;DR: The features of modern infrared imaging technology and the standardization protocols for thermal imaging in medicine are described, and in certain applications thermal imaging is shown to provide objective measurement of temperature changes that are clinically significant.
Abstract: This review describes the features of modern infrared imaging technology and the standardization protocols for thermal imaging in medicine. The technique essentially uses naturally emitted infrared radiation from the skin surface. Recent studies have investigated the influence of equipment and the methods of image recording. The credibility and acceptance of thermal imaging in medicine is subject to critical use of the technology and proper understanding of thermal physiology. Finally, we review established and evolving medical applications for thermal imaging, including inflammatory diseases, complex regional pain syndrome and Raynaud's phenomenon. Recent interest in the potential applications for fever screening is described, and some other areas of medicine where some research papers have included thermal imaging as an assessment modality. In certain applications thermal imaging is shown to provide objective measurement of temperature changes that are clinically significant.
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01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: An overview of the current applications of thermal cameras is provided, and the nature of thermal radiation and the technology of thermal camera are described.
Abstract: Thermal cameras are passive sensors that capture the infrared radiation emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero. This type of camera was originally developed as a surveillance and night vision tool for the military, but recently the price has dropped, significantly opening up a broader field of applications. Deploying this type of sensor in vision systems eliminates the illumination problems of normal greyscale and RGB cameras. This survey provides an overview of the current applications of thermal cameras. Applications include animals, agriculture, buildings, gas detection, industrial, and military applications, as well as detection, tracking, and recognition of humans. Moreover, this survey describes the nature of thermal radiation and the technology of thermal cameras.
546 citations
Cites background from "Infrared thermal imaging in medicin..."
...[102] and Ring and Ammer [153] reviewed the medical applications of infrared thermography, including breast cancer detection, diabetes neuropathy, fever screening, dental diagnosis, brain imaging, etc....
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TL;DR: The molecular engineering and nanoformulation approaches to further improve the tissue penetration and detection sensitivity of these optical imaging modalities are highlighted and current challenges and potential opportunities in this emerging subfield of biomedical imaging are discussed.
Abstract: Optical imaging has played a pivotal role in biology and medicine, but it faces challenges of relatively low tissue penetration and poor signal-to-background ratio due to light scattering and tissue autofluorescence. To overcome these issues, second near-infrared fluorescence, self-luminescence, and photoacoustic imaging have recently emerged, which utilize an optical region with reduced light-tissue interactions, eliminate real-time light excitation, and detect acoustic signals with negligible attenuation, respectively. Because there are only a few endogenous molecules absorbing or emitting above the visible region, development of contrast agents is essential for those deep-tissue optical imaging modalities. Organic semiconducting agents with π-conjugated frameworks can be synthesized to meet different optical imaging requirements due to their easy chemical modification and legible structure-property relation. Herein, the deep-tissue optical imaging applications of organic semiconducting agents including small-molecule agents and nanoparticle derivatives are summarized. In particular, the molecular engineering and nanoformulation approaches to further improve the tissue penetration and detection sensitivity of these optical imaging modalities are highlighted. Finally, current challenges and potential opportunities in this emerging subfield of biomedical imaging are discussed.
380 citations
TL;DR: This review focuses on the lack of comprehensive information about the factors influencing the use of IRT in humans, and proposes a comprehensive classification in three primary groups: environmental, individual and technical factors.
366 citations
Cites background or methods from "Infrared thermal imaging in medicin..."
...Importantly, the EAT has contributed studies by the group from the University of Glamorgan, which has worked to better understand the technical factors that affect IRT measurements and to create a strict protocol for reducing errors and increasing the accuracy and the precision of temperature measurements [3,18,165,416,420–424]....
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...drugs, using temperature alterations in the affected joints as an objective marker [165]....
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...Vasoactive and anti-inflammatory treatments are frequently noted to influence Tsk [23,88,165]....
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...Scars are a good example of a type of skin heterogeneity that can influence Tsk, however they are not commonly described in the literature [119,162–165]....
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TL;DR: Current and potential applications of thermal RS in agriculture discussed here include irrigation scheduling, drought monitoring, crop disease detection, and mapping of soil properties, residues and tillage, field tiles, and crop maturity and yield.
357 citations
Cites background from "Infrared thermal imaging in medicin..."
...Use of thermal sensors in agriculture is somewhat limited despite its wide application in the areas of medicine (Ring and Ammer, 2012), intelligence/military (Hinz and Stilla, 2006), and food processing (Vadivambal and Jayas, 2011)....
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TL;DR: A review of 23 experimental procedures that employed fITI for investigations of affective nature is provided, along with the adopted experimental protocol and the thermal changes that took place on selected regions of interest in human and nonhuman subjects.
Abstract: Functional infrared thermal imaging (fITI) is considered an upcoming, promising methodology in the emotional arena. Driven by sympathetic nerves, observations of affective nature derive from muscular activity subcutaneous blood flow as well as perspiration patterns in specific body parts. A review of 23 experimental procedures that employed fITI for investigations of affective nature is provided, along with the adopted experimental protocol and the thermal changes that took place on selected regions of interest in human and nonhuman subjects. Discussion is provided regarding the selection of an appropriate baseline, the autonomic nature of the thermal print, the experimental setup, methodological issues, limitations, and considerations, as well as future directions.
284 citations
Additional excerpts
...Current technological advancements allowed measurement of emitted infrared heat by electronic thermal imaging (Ring, 2004; Ring & Ammer, 2012)....
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References
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TL;DR: In early CRPS (type 1), visual input from a moving, unaffected limb re-establishes the pain-free relationship between sensory feedback and motor execution, andTrophic changes and a less plastic neural pathway preclude this in chronic disease.
Abstract: Background. We assessed mirror visual feedback (MVF) to test the hypothesis that incongruence between motor output and sensory input produces complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) (type 1) pain. Methods. Eight subjects (disease duration 03 weeks to (3 yr) were studied over 6 weeks with assessments including two controls (no device and viewing a nonreflective surface) and the intervention (MVF). Pain severity and vasomotor changes were recorded. Results. The control stages had no analgesic effect. MVF in early CRPS ((8 weeks) had an immediate analgesic effect and in intermediate disease ((1 yr) led to a reduction in stiffness. At 6 weeks, normalization of function and thermal differences had occurred (early and intermediate disease). No change was found in chronic CRPS. Conclusions. In early CRPS (type 1), visual input from a moving, unaffected limb re-establishes the pain-free relationship between sensory feedback and motor execution. Trophic changes and a less plastic neural pathway preclude this in chronic disease.
473 citations
TL;DR: In this article, fundamental and technological issues associated with the development and exploitation of the most advanced infrared detector technologies are discussed, and a special attention is directed to HgCdTe ternary alloys on silicon, type-II superlattices, uncooled thermal bolometers, and novel uncooling micromechanical cantilever detectors.
436 citations
TL;DR: High-resolution thermal imaging is used to visualize the human whole body anterior cutaneous temperature (Tc) variations in well-trained runners during graded exercise to indicate that thermal infrared imaging permits the quantitative evaluation of specific cutaneous whole body thermal adaptations which occur during and after graded physical activity.
Abstract: In this paper we used high-resolution thermal imaging to visualize the human whole body anterior cutaneous temperature (T c) variations in well-trained runners during graded exercise. Fifteen male volunteers underwent a graded treadmill test until reaching their individual maximal heart rate. Total body T c decreased as the subjects started the exercise. Thighs and forearms exhibited the earliest response. A further T c diminution occurred with the progress of the exercise. At the exercise interruption, T c values were in average 3–5 °C lower than at baseline. T c increased during recovery from exercise. Forearms and thighs exhibited the earliest increase, followed by total body T c increase. Thermal imaging documented the presence of hyperthermal spots (occasionally tree-shaped) due to the presence of muscle perforator vessels during baseline and recovery, but not during exercise. The results we report indicate that thermal infrared imaging permits the quantitative evaluation of specific cutaneous whole body thermal adaptations which occur during and after graded physical activity. Thus providing the basis for evaluating local and systemic cutaneous blood flow adaptation as a function of specific type, intensity and duration of exercise, and helping to determine the ideal conditions (in terms of environment and apparel) in which physical activities should be conducted in order to favor thermal regulatory processes.
200 citations
"Infrared thermal imaging in medicin..." refers background in this paper
...Temperature distribution of the skin during and after physical exercise has been reported (Zontak et al 1998, Ferreira et al 2008, Merla et al 2010)....
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TL;DR: It is shown that high-resolution IR imaging provides additional safe, practical, and objective information when produced and interpreted by sufficiently trained breast physicians.
Abstract: In order to re-assess the potential contribution of infrared (IR) imaging as a first-line component of a multi-imaging strategy using currently available technology, we first review the history of its introduction and clinical application, including the results of the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Projects (BCDDP). We then discuss experiments with a new high-resolution, computerized IR station and software program acquired by the Ville Marie Breast Center to assess IR imaging's ability to complement clinical examination and mammography in the early detection of breast cancer. Our goal is to show that high-resolution IR imaging provides additional safe, practical, and objective information when produced and interpreted by sufficiently trained breast physicians.
170 citations
TL;DR: The efficacy of low level laser therapy in myofascial pain syndrome is clarified by using algometry and thermography to clarify the effect of LLLT in MPS.
Abstract: Background and objectives: The efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) seems controversial. Our aim was to clarify the effect of LLLT in MPS by using algometry and thermography. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients with MPS having an active trigger point in the neck or upper back region were randomly divided into two equal groups according to therapy applied (group 1: LLLT þ stretching exercises, group 2: stretching exercises alone). The outcome measures were pain measured with visual analogue scale (VAS), algometry on the trigger point, algometric difference, thermographic difference, and thermal asymmetry. Comparison was made within and between the groups pre- and post-therapeutically and 3 weeks after therapy. Results: Mean pain values decreased more significantly in group 1 from baseline to 3 weeks follow up (7.54–3.06) while these values were 7.03–5.19 in group 2 (P < 0.05). Group comparisons revealed significant favorable differences in group 1 patients in terms of all other parameters at the first and the second evaluation post therapeutically (P < 0.05). Conclusions: LLLT seemed to be beneficial for pain in MPS by using algometry and thermography. Lasers Surg. Med. 33:339–343, 2003. 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
161 citations
Additional excerpts
...Recent studies have also used thermography as an outcome measure in trials investigating low level laser treatment for myofascial pain (Hakgüder et al 2003) or knee osteoarthritis (Puzder et al 2010)....
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