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Analysis of skin cooling for quantitative dynamic infrared imaging of near-surface lesions.

Author(s) : CHENG T. Y., HERMAN C.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Dynamic infrared (IR) imaging is a clinical diagnostic method that relies on external cooling to enhance the thermal contrasts between a lesion and healthy skin during the thermal recovery process after the removal of the cooling. The subject of this paper is the proper selection of the cooling method, cooling temperature, time and depth to maximize thermal contrasts while minimizing discomfort to the patient. The systematic computational analysis of the influence of these parameters on the measured signal is
reported. Three cooling methods are considered: constant temperature, water-soaked cotton, and convective cooling. The analysis suggests that 20°C is a suitable cooling temperature that allows the cooling effect to reach the lesion depth within 2 min. The induced thermal contrast is in the range of 0.1-0.3°C during the thermal recovery. The thermal contrasts enhanced by cooling can be accurately measured by a properly designed IR imaging system. Cooling durations from 5 to 120 s were considered. Two types of thermal responses were identified. Shorter cooling leads to a maximum of thermal contrast within the first few seconds of thermal recovery. Longer cooling durations result in a maximum that is lower, broader and it appears later in time (20-40 s after the removal of cooling). The computational model was validated using data from in vivo dynamic IR imaging measurements. The analysis in this study provides a quantitative basis for the selection and optimization of cooling conditions in clinical practice.

Details

  • Original title: Analysis of skin cooling for quantitative dynamic infrared imaging of near-surface lesions.
  • Record ID : 30012370
  • Languages: English
  • Source: International Journal of thermal Sciences - vol. 86
  • Publication date: 2014/12
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2014.06.033

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