Three-dimensional Thermal Imaging in Medicine

Abstract

The digital medical thermal imaging is valuable qualitative tool for detection of inflamed or necrotic areas, but it lacks the ability of quantification. The new 3D scanning system RoScan composed from robotic manipulator, laser scanner, color camera and thermal imager is presented, extending medical thermal imaging with possibility of quantification, allowing specific ROI selection and bringing higher thermal resolution in resulting outputs. It helps to solve the current problem of medical quantification, which permeates through the many medical sectors. The advantages of RoScan are demonstrated on sample experiment, which shows the benefits of proposed device.

The RoScan Thermal 3D Body Scanning System: Medical Applicability and Benefits for Unobtrusive Sensing and Objective Diagnosis

“…Importantly, the subject’s feelings of pain subsided already 74 h after the injury ( Figure 11 b); however, compared to the healthy toe, there was a still visible and measurable temperature difference (0.8 °C). Additional details on the experiment are outlined in source [ 35 ].…”

“…The records also enable us to reliably assess the severity of the disease because the method is not as subjective as the others. Second, the thermal quantification (if possible) leads towards an assessment of the treatment suitability or medication effectiveness [ 35 ].…”

“… The injured toe captured 2 h ( a ) and 74 h ( b ) after the accident. The volume and the average temperature of the thumb appear to be reduced [ 35 ]. …”

“… The progress curve relating to the average temperature in the region of the bruised toe, completed with an indication of the volume [ 35 ]. …”