G.J. Rockley asked: With the emphasis on organics within the food, aesthetics and health care industries, the use of green technology for diagnostic imaging evaluations is equally warranted. Therefore, infrared thermal imaging technology is an appropriate and fundamental clinical test and fits within this criteria. As a completely non-invasive heat picture can be taken of any area of the body with a specifically designed infrared camera, a unique and supportive view of many health conditions can be easily captured. We rely upon infrared cameras to tell us about the far reaches of the Universe. It’s reasonable to expect that we should gain valuable information on a human subject placed only four feet away.
The assessment of the human body through thermal techniques is not new. It dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who moved their hands across the body without touching, and were able to compute information signals through the brain, based on what they were receiving. Hippocrates immersed his patients in mud, and where the area dried first was an indicator of disease. In their understanding of health, a thermal perspective was subsequently obtained. The heat signals that were released provided important indicators and a direction for care.
The role of thermal imaging is essential for women to know about, especially in conjunction with breast examinations and mammography. Due to the highly sensitive nature of their breasts and other organs, the use of a truly non-invasive option for health evaluations should be given. This is relevant when the possible effects of repeated radiation and other invasive procedures are to be considered.
Recently published research in the American Journal of Surgery, October 2008, described the “Effectiveness of a noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer.” This work was conducted by the Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell, where they concluded that digital infrared thermal imaging “is a valuable adjunct to mammography and ultrasound, especially in women with dense breast parenchyma.” The Department of Ob-Gyn at Northwestern University Medical School published a paper in 2001 on circadian rhythm chaos and breast cancer, and stated that even in the absence of mammographic evidence of a neoplasm or a palpable tumor, studies suggested that an abnormal thermal sign, in the light of our present knowledge of breast cancer, is ten times as important an indication as is family history data.
Any health care facility that already observes the physiological condition, either through thermometers, environmental temperature markers, or existing infrared devices, understands the importance of thermoregulation, and being able to monitor it, effectively. Modern infrared thermal imaging cameras employ the advanced use of optics, integrated circuits, and infrared detector technology. With the assistance of image processing software, a visually unique and relevant perspective on the human subject’s condition is obtained.
There is no contact with the body, and nothing is sent into the body. Heat signals are picked up in a very dramatic way. The images show the relative thermal distribution of a human being or animal, and give a wealth of physical data, objectively.
There has been a great amount of thermological research conducted throughout the world, for decades, on this FDA cleared test. The results have contributed significantly to the understanding and application of this imaging method, helping in all areas of clinical health, from fetal evaluation to brain surgery. The biomedical use of infrared thermal imaging is well documented in the latest (3rd) edition of “The Biomedical Engineering Handbook; Medical Devices and Systems”; CRC, Taylor and Francis. This is considered the foremost text in biomedical engineering and provides twenty chapters on the subject.
The improvements with infrared detector technology and computerization have truly enabled this type of instrument to be placed in any facility. With the relatively low cost of equipment and efficiency of operation, digital infrared thermal imaging is a valuable tool in the diagnostic arsenal. It’s certainly worth significant consideration by all health professionals due to its absence of impact on the environment and the subject being observed.
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