Wound Thermal Imaging With Relative Temperature Differentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring wound healing and underlying tissue abnormalities lack accuracy and consistency due to reliance on clinical judgment and inadequate consideration of intrinsic and extrinsic variables affecting temperature measurements, leading to inconsistent and unreliable assessments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing long-wave infrared thermography to capture both visual and thermal images, allowing for the overlay of wound edges on thermal images, and using relative temperature differentials to minimize the impact of variables, providing clinicians with accurate and repeatable data for wound assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive temperature measurement methods are used, then temperature data can be obtained, but the measurements are unreliable and affected by various intrinsic and extrinsic variables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical temperature sensors with non-contact long-wave infrared thermography. This substitution eliminates the mechanical intrusion into the wound site while providing reliable temperature data through infrared radiation detection, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining temperature data and ensuring measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by measuring temperature differentials relative to a control area rather than using absolute temperature values. This intermediary method of comparison eliminates the influence of extrinsic variables like ambient temperature, providing reliable measurements that are independent of environmental conditions.
2Loss of information
If absolute temperature measurements are used, then temperature data is obtained, but the data is affected by ambient temperature and patient position variables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from absolute temperature to relative temperature differential. By calculating the difference between the wound area temperature and the control area temperature, the system eliminates the harmful influence of extrinsic variables such as ambient temperature and patient position, thereby reducing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a control area as a copy or replica of the wound area under normal conditions. By comparing the wound area to this control copy, the system isolates the temperature changes specific to the wound healing process, eliminating the impact of extrinsic variables that would otherwise affect absolute temperature measurements.
3Reliability
If non-contact thermal imaging is used, then measurement reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases with multiple cameras and image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by using a single long-wave infrared camera to perform multiple tasks: capturing thermal images, measuring temperature differentials, and providing data for wound healing assessment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining high measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control area measurement and wound area measurement into a single integrated imaging process. By capturing both areas with one camera and processing them together, the system reduces device complexity compared to using separate measurement systems, while still providing reliable relative temperature data.
4Reliability
If relative temperature differential measurement is used, then the impact of extrinsic variables is minimized, but the ability to detect absolute temperature changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality analysis by focusing on the specific temperature differential between the wound area and the control area. This localized comparison provides reliable measurements that are independent of extrinsic variables, while the system maintains the ability to detect absolute temperature changes through the differential calculation itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise monitoring of wound progression and regression by measuring relative thermal energy changes, reducing variability and enhancing clinical decision-making through consistent and reliable temperature comparisons.
Implementation Method 1
long-wave infrared thermography cameras to capture simultaneous visual and thermal images
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining a clinically relevant temperature differential between a predetermined area of clinical interest on the body surface of a mammal and a control area on the body surface of the mammal. The system includes an image capturing device that has a housing, visual and thermal image capturing devices therein, and a display apparatus on which a visual image including the area of clinical interest and a thermal image, each captured by the image capturing device, are displayed. A computing apparatus is operatively connected to the image capturing device and to the display apparatus, and includes means for determining a temperature differential between the area of clinical interest and a selected control area, and means for applying to the thermal image a unique pixel value to a specific predetermined range of temperature differentials between the area of clinical interest and the control area.