Since the emergence of the H1N1 virus that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization recently there have been articles written and widely read about the Digital Thermal Imaging Camera technology. It’s practical and effective use as a tool in screening for people who may have the virus especially in high traffic and congested areas such as airports.

But we are know becoming more aware that this tool – Digital Thermal Imaging Camera can do so much more and is useful in almost every aspect of our daily lives. Specifically, we will talk about the applications of Digital Thermal Imaging Cameras in the medical field. The most common of these being the use of this tool in breast scans as an alternative to traditional mammographies but there are many other applications. Let us first start by defining what Digital Thermal Imaging Camera is in simple terms.

This is technology that can show us changes in the temperature of the skins’ surface in a non-invasive way. It takes images of the area and shows the difference in temperature from normal or baseline values, which in turn is a very effective way to diagnose anomalies occurring in our bodies. This ability of the tool then is a big help for the medical field in terms of diagnosing and monitoring conditions and injuries in the body. The logic behind this is that it can produce as images the autonomic nervous system and the vascular system and show the changes as a disturbance in the temperature surface of the body.

This ability of Digital Thermal Imaging Camera means it can work in the medical fields of oncology, vascular disorders, respiratory, skeletal and neuromuscular disorders and many many more. In short any diseases that produce localized temperature changes in the body. The most important benefits of this tool are that it is noninvasive, highly sensitive and a reliable way of displaying skin surface temperature and its changes. What has also helped this tool explode unto the public is the size of the Digital Thermal Imaging Camera and its costs. With advancing technology, it has made the camera more portable (the hand held devices used for screening temperature in airports or by firefighters in smoke filled rooms are examples) and more affordable. We are sure to see more applications of Digital Thermal Imaging Cameras in our world as more people learn of its capabilities. This is technology we should always be monitoring because it is sure to save our lives one day.

by  Maryanne Laygo

References:   

Derflinger, Tirza. “Thermal Imaging for Medical Applications.” Infrared Cameras Inc. http://www.infraredcamerasinc.com/medical-thermal-imaging.html (3 July 2009).

“What is Medical Thermal Imaging (a.k.a. Thermography)?” Medical Thermal Imaging, LLC. http://www.medicalti.com/4.html (3 July 2009).

“IRTIS 200 Thermal Camera Images of Medical Applications.” Laser Optronix The Laser and Opto Web Site. http://www.laseroptronix.se/thermcam/irtismed.html (3 July 2009).

“Welcome to Medical Infrared.” Medical Infrared Imaging.” http://medicalir.com/ (3 July 2009).