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Publication Number
US-9357963-B1
Publication Date
2016-06-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Through the measurement and interpretation of the pixels of grayscale digital thermographic images of abnormalities of the skin and its subcutaneous tissue, early intervention and treatment of abnormalities of the skin and its subcutaneous tissue are possible, thereby assisting clinicians in making significant impacts on prevention and treatment.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a combination thermal and visual image capturing device for capturing real time thermal and visual images of surface and subsurface biological tissue. The device includes a long wave infrared microbolometer and a digital camera disposed at a collinear position relatively distal from the microbolometer, such that thermal image information and visual image information are produced for the same biological tissue. The captured outputs are electronically provided to another electronic device or system.
The device further includes a first of LED laser and a second LED laser arranged opposite each other at predetermined distance and disposed to emit light at a predetermined angle relative to the image capturing device. Each laser is disposed along a line perpendicular to a line through the central axis of the microbolometer and the digital camera. The lasers are functionally connected to a power source of the imaging apparatus.
The document describes using unaffected skin as a patient-specific reference region and quantifying skin and subcutaneous tissue abnormalities such as deep tissue injury and wound progression by generating grayscale long-wave infrared thermographic image representations from microbolometer data. Grayscale pixel mapping with 8-bit unsigned grayscale pixel values is used, and positive or negative pixel offsets are used to enhance visualization by adjusting an effective thermal span and effective resolution without changing raw stored data.
The quantitative image analysis described includes determining wound length and width from pixel measurements, computing region area via highlighted pixel counts, generating histograms of pixel values, and producing profile lines across wounds compared to a reference normal profile line. The profile-based metrics include area above and below the reference line, maximum rise and drop metrics, and slopes for assessing changes relative to normal, with the overall goal of reproducible, non-contact bedside assessment that supports clinical monitoring and trending of wound progression.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. The inventive features correspond to four combined elements: a thermal and visual imaging apparatus for biological tissue, a collinear long wave infrared microbolometer and digital camera arrangement, opposed LED lasers at predetermined distance and predetermined emission angles, and electronic provision of thermal and visual image information to another electronic device or system.
Combined thermal and visual image capturing for surface and subsurface biological tissue
A combination thermal and visual image capturing device for capturing real time thermal and visual images of surface and subsurface biological tissue, with thermal image information and visual image information provided to another electronic device or system.
Collinear microbolometer and digital camera image capture arrangement
A long wave infrared microbolometer and a digital camera disposed at a collinear position relatively distal from the microbolometer.
Opposed LED lasers for predetermined distance and predetermined emission angle
A first LED laser and a second LED laser arranged opposite each other at predetermined distance, each disposed to emit light at a predetermined angle relative to the image capturing device and along a line perpendicular to a line through the central axis of the microbolometer and the digital camera.
Electronic communication of thermal and visual information to another electronic device or system
Means to electronically provide thermal image information from the microbolometer and visual image information from the digital camera to another electronic device or system.
The claim coverage emphasizes a real time combined thermal and visual imaging device for biological tissue, a collinear distal camera arrangement, two opposed LED lasers at predetermined distances and angles, and electronic provision of the thermal and visual information to another electronic device or system.
Stated Advantages
Reproducible, non-contact bedside assessment for monitoring skin and subcutaneous tissue abnormalities.
Documented Applications
Monitoring and trending wound progression and healing versus deterioration in skin and subcutaneous tissue abnormalities such as deep tissue injury.
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