Seeing is Believing

Focus on lasers and imaging

This paper is intended to provide studies performed on usefulness of thermal imaging for the insufficiency of superficial veins in the lower limbs. The results are a continuation of the previous research and show a new way of analysis and better correlation between standard methods of parameters like duplex ultrasonography and parameters derived from thermal imaging. In particular promised seems to be using the mean whole limb temperature of healthy volunteers at a proper age as a threshold to count the isotherm area, and in isotherm analysis should be taken for the whole lower limb—the sum of thermal images from anterior and posterior views (Method II). The study was performed by the use of a Thermovision E60 camera by Flir Systems. All studies (duplex ultrasonography as well as thermal imaging) were performed in a research room with a stabilized temperature on two groups of patients, a group of healthy people and patients suffering from chronic venous disease. During the study, the correlation parameters were obtained with ultrasound and thermal parameters. The results showed that temperature changes observed in the lower extremities of the thermal skin map are associated with a healthy state of blood supply which might be connected with blood stasis, inflammatory states and swelling that occurs in the soft tissues. We found the mean and higher correlations between thermal and ultrasound parameters, for example, a good positive correlation (r = 0.63) between the thermal range to the total limb length radio and the range of reflux was obtained. The correlation between thermal imaging parameters and duplex ultrasound parameters may show that thermovision is an extremely promising method, and it can be useful in the screening of diagnosis of superficial vein insufficiency.

Female upper body and breast skin temperature and thermal comfort following exercise

This experiment was conducted to improve estrus detection using a thermal sensor based on multiple object tracking system. A total of six Hanwoo (Korean native beef cattle, BW= 404 ± 58 kg) were used in this study. They were housed in a 5 × 10 m pen by three animals per replication. The total amount of moving distance and feed intake were measured before and after estrus period. The infrared thermography camera (FLIR A615, FLIR SYSTEMS, USA) was placed approximately 9 m above ground to take thermal images. The video files were analyzed to calculate moving distance of experimental animals by the tracking system which was developed by our previous research. Each animal in a pen was tracked on thermal video files, and then moving distances were calculated by topographic surface-based object segmentation, velocity weight, and the river-bed refinement. Feed intake was calculated every day at 0900 by weighing residual feed. On the day before estrus, the total moving distance of experimental animals was 6,434 m (Pen 1= 6,873 m, Pen 2= 5,995m), whereas it was 15,121 m (Pen 1= 17,434 m and Pen 2= 12,808 m) on the estrus day, showing 2.35 times increase (P < 0.05) in moving activity. Feed intake was decreased (P < 0.05) by 11% on estrus day (29.4 vs. 26.1 kg). A decrease in feed intake and an increase in movement of beef cattle on the estrus day, were obvious signs that have been well documented not only in previous researches and but empirical knowledge. In this study, however, the exact moving distance of Korean native beef cattle was calculated by the thermal imaging video tracking system. Therefore, this multiple object tracking system could be applied in practice to detect estrus of beef cattle.

BackgroundThermal imaging has been used as a clinical follow-up technique in several medical specialties.PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using medical thermography in the diagnosis and follow-up assessment of a severe orthopedic trauma that requires the use of an external circular fixator.Patients and MethodsTwenty clinical follow-ups of thermal imaging correlated with X-ray images were performed in a male volunteer, diagnosed with bone nonunion, during 11 months of treatment, in the hospital trauma and reconstruction department. Data were acquired in the regions of interest of the proximal tibia, diaphysis and distal, with a Flir T530 medical grade infrared camera from Flir Systems®, and the data processed by the Matlab® 2019 custom made software.ResultsStatistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results showed a median temperature of 22.2°C, and thus some periods of interruption in the healing process between the third and twentieth clinical follow-up, and a significant increase of the temperature to 34.6°C synchronous with a diagnosis of bone infection by the eleventh clinical follow-up. The thermal images acquired during the 20 clinical follow-ups allow a correlation with the data from the X-ray exams and also with the contralateral limb of the evaluated patient, showing thermal alterations greater than 0.3°C, which are significant of physiological abnormality.ConclusionThe thermography exam can be a useful tool for applying on the follow-up of patients after trauma or bone fracture. The results showed important physiological data related to the vascularization necessary for bone repairing, being therefore a good indicator of the healing process. In addition, as infrared thermography does not use ionizing radiation, it can be used countlessly, in complement to the traditional X-ray exams that focus on anatomical data analysis.

Thermovision is a completely non-invasive and easy-to-perform method of imaging, and it is becoming useful not only in different modalities of clinical medicine, but also in sports medicine. However, it seems that thermal imaging may also find some use in training. That is why the aim of these studies is to compare temperature parameters with data obtained from specialist equipment, which uses monitoring to choose organism parameters during the endurance test and also to determine the efficiency level. In this study, we also try to estimate body metabolism, using a modified formula of Kleiber’s law. We describe how metabolism changes during efficiency tests and compare these changes with parameters checked by an ergospirometer. All studies were performed by thermovision camera (Flir Systems E60). Results of the study showed that thermal imaging may be useful in sports medicine as a helpful method in efficiency evaluation. We obtained a high correlation between the standard parameters used in efficiency tests and the parameters derived from thermal imaging, which may suggest the possibility of using thermovision as an additional method in the planning of training cycles, and its effects.

ABSTRACTThe present article reports the heat transfer characteristics of a vertical stainless steel foil of 0.15 mm thickness (SS304) by circular impinging jets of various fluids such as pure water, nano-fluids (Al2O3-water, ф = 0.15%, 0.6%), and aqueous high-alcohol surfactant (HAS, i.e., 2-ethyl-hexanol, 100–400 ppm) studied using an infrared thermal imaging camera (A655sc, FLIR System). The enhancement in the heat transfer rates for Al2O3-water nano-fluids with ф = 0.15%, ф = 0.60%, and aqueous surfactant solution (150ppm) is found to be 140%, 207%, and 117% higher compared to pure water results, respectively. The surface characteristics of the foil after jet impingement by various fluids are also studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and surface wettability.

Scrotal skin temperature (SST) reflects intratesticular temperature, the elevation of which has adverse effects on bilateral spermatogenesis. The present study evaluated the effects of bilateral heat stress on the semen quality of two patients with a left-sided varicocele using chronological SST measurements. Scrotal skin temperature in two patients with a left-sided varicocele was determined using a thermal imaging camera (FLIR C2, FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, OR, USA). Case 1 was a single man seeking preconception care and diagnosed with a painful Grade 2 varicocele. The value for left side SST-right side SST (ΔSST) decreased from 3.2°C to -1.2°C along with the exacerbation of the varicocele from Grade 2 to 3. A varicocelectomy was performed because of the worsening of semen quality. Case 2 was an infertile man with a painful Grade 1 varicocele. The initial ΔSST of 2.4°C was temporarily reduced to 0.6°C, followed by recovery to 2.6°C along with a clear improvement in spermatogram results. To the best of our knowledge, the present chronological findings are the first to show that bilateral elevation of intratesticular temperature in a patient with a left-sided varicocele is substantially related to the deterioration of spermatogenesis.

A thermal imaging technique to assess spatial and temporal stomatal conductance was studied in a field trial in Australia during the 2003-04 growing season. Images on the shaded side of the canopy were obtained using an infrared portable camera (Therma CAM PM575, FLIR Systems). Dry and wet leaves were used as reference surfaces to obtain temperature thresholds to eliminate non-leaf material temperatures in the analysis. An index (Ig) proportional to leaf conductance was obtained and compared with average stomatal conductance measured by gas exchange (Li-Cor 6400). Midday stem water potential, sap now and wetting patterns were also analysed to determine the effect of plant water status on reference temperatures. This technique could give a more accurate estimation of actual stomatal conductance of the whole canopy and canopy resistance of non-stressed grapevines, which could then be incorporated in the Penman-Monteith model to estimate evapotranspiration of deficit irrigated grapevines with variable canopy resistances.

The Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), in conjunction with the project manager for FLIR systems, has committed to the insertion of automatic target recognition algorithms into second generation forward looking infrared (2/sup nd/ Gen FLIR) systems. 2/sup nd/ Gen FLIRs are designed, among other things, to be used by scouts in both offensive and defensive scenarios. Evaluation of the ATR algorithms to be included in 2/sup nd/ Gen FLIR systems has produced a number of significant challenges. Among these are the development of a digital image capture system, development of effective image truth methods, development of scoring concepts for an engineering-level evaluation, and development of scoring concepts appropriate for a user-level evaluation. Both the challenges and the NVESD solutions to these problems are described in detail. Finally, the scout mission is demonstrated and examples of imagery appropriate for the scout problem are reviewed and aspects of human assisted performance results reported.

IntroductionFoot blisters are a common injury, which can impact on activity and lead to infection. Increased skin surface hydration has been identified as a risk factor for blister formation, indicating that a reduction in hydration could reduce the risk of blister. MethodThirty healthy adults were randomised into 3 groups, each receiving a preventative foot blister treatment (2Toms® Blister Shield®; Flexitol® Blistop and Boots Anti–Perspirant Foot Spray). Cycles of compression and shear loads where applied to heel skin using a mechanism driven by compressed air. Temperature changes were measured during load application using a thermal imaging camera (FLIR Systems Inc. and Therm CAM™ Quick Report). Near surface hydration of the skin was measured using a Corneometer® (C & K, Germany). ResultsThere was no significant difference in the rate of temperature change of the skin between the three groups compared to not using products (p = 0.767, p = 0.767, p = 0.515) or when comparing each product (p = 0.551). There was a significant decrease in near surface skin hydration, compared to baseline, after the application of powder (−8.53 AU, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in hydration after the application of film former and antiperspirant (−1.47 AU, p = 0.26; −1.00 AU, p = 0.80, respectively). ConclusionWith the application of external load we found no significant difference in the effect of the three products on temperature change. The powder product demonstrated an effect on reducing the risk of blister. It is postulated that powder may have a barrier effect.

Ultrasonic devices disperse less energy in the tissues. The new Harmonic Focus+ (HF+) seems to be more efficient but thermal damages have been reported. This study examined the temperature and the emissivity profile of the active and passive blades of the HF+, on a pig tissue model at different power settings. The FLIR System B series thermal imaging camera has been used on various biological pig tissues to evaluate the emissivity of the ultrasonic device. The active blade heats up faster than the passive one and the increase in power increases the speed of the temperature raising only on the active blade. Increasing the power setting reduces the dissection time and the temperature of both blades. Active blade temperatures of <60°C are obtained with cutting times close to 5 seconds; with these cutting times, the inactive blade does not exceed 30°C. The HF+ emissivity profiles demonstrate that the behavior of the inactive blade is significantly different from the active one. To prevent thermal damages, keep the active blade toward the operator, do not exceed 5 seconds of activation, use the maximum power, and avoid the use of the instrument as a dissector immediately after its activation.

Infrared thermography, or thermal imaging, has been used as a remote sensing technique to determine whether subsurface features such as walls or pits generate a heat differentiation from the surrounding earth. To date, this form of remote sensing has been notoriously difficult to perform due to cost, low‐resolution thermal cameras and an inability to provide a stable aerial photographic platform. Furthermore, thermal fluctuations produced by archaeological remains are highly volatile, and are dependent on a multitude of variables such as soil moisture, particle size, and the construction materials of features. These issues have restricted the use of infrared thermography within archaeology. Yet, with the rapid development and adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the last decade as well as developments in thermographic technology, thermal imaging is now affordable and can be attached with relative ease to a multitude of UAVs. This paper reviews a new, low‐cost, FLIR Systems thermal camera made specifically for UAVs, which were successfully employed at the Ancient Methone Archaeological Project, Pieria, Greece. By utilizing the FLIR Vue Pro, along with a DJI Phantom 2, aerial thermography was performed at the site at a cost far below that proposed by previous studies, with results also equalling or exceeding those methodologies. In combination with high resolution aerial photogrammetry, this methodology has helped to clarify previous archaeological investigations at the site, as well as revealing significant rectilinear subsurface remains.