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Welcome the FAQ at Thermography Sales . Com
Here you will find the answers to most of the questions new thermograph and those looking to enter the medical thermography field might have.
This section is based on the 30 year practice of our president, a licensed physician, Fellow Thermographer and Fellow in Forensics with a vast experience in health care, law and of course Medical Infrared Imaging.
We hope these pages are valuable to you in your search for knowledge. If you have a specific question send us an email and we will do our very best to get you a prompt and accurate reply.
The following questions are randomized and based on the most frequently asked questions concerning Medical IR.
Q Has any government agency approved thermography for medical use in the United States?
A Yes. There are two significant approvals of Medical Infrared Imaging. The first is the US Food and Drug Administration Bureau of Medical Devices (now under the authority of the Department of Radiologic Health). The second is a strong position from the Council on Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association (AMA)
Q Are there any recent and relevant articles discussing the accuracy of medical thermography that are not from the 1980's
A Yes and thank you for asking this question. The most recent double blinded study took place here in the United States and was published in 2003 in the January issue of the American Journal of Radiology. The study performed over 4 years at 5 medical schools and spear headed by Dr Yuri Parisky at USC Norris Cancer center compared thermography to mammography. While having similar outcomes for finding breast cancer, thermography was far better at determining whether a lesion seen on mammography was malignant or benign with a 97% negative predictive value (true negative).
Q I have been told by [company name removed] that they build the only camera specifically designed for human use. Is this true?
A No. Unfortunately some manufacturers use "spin tactics" to make their product seem better than the competition. I investigated one such company and found that they had one of the poorest detectors on the market with absolutely abysmal software (freeware by the way) with a sales price in excess of $40,000. This company tells potential buyers (or victims as I like to call them) that they have the only camera that is not a military or non destructive testing, or predictive maintenance camera that has been sold for human use, and is specifically built for the human "range". This is quite a reckless and dangerous statement.
You must understand, that the measurement of the infra red spectrum emitted from human skin is a function of physics. ANY Infra red camera that is properly calibrated and can be set to measure within the ranges of human temperature. The US FDA has issued 510K certifications for many Infrared Cameras from many companies, including Agema, Inframetrics, FLIR, Fujitsu, Hughes, Mikron, NEC and any more.
Here is where this particular SPIN comes in. The human temperature emission range is very limited, under 50C. Some more advanced cameras can measure in the thousands of degrees. However, most cameras are not dedicated to just one temperature or one temperature range. They are adjustable. In fact, being limited to the human range often means a detector which is low in cost to manufacturer.
Think about this logically for a moment. Would the FDA add credibility to a camera for medical use if it were not demonstrated and validated to be accurate for human screening?
I would be very aware of any manufacturer or sales representative who tries to snow you with this misinformation. This does not mean however that there are not cameras out there that are not suitable for human use because there are. You must check with the FDA to verify the 510K of any camera model you elect to purchase. Simple as that.
Q How much room do I need to perform thermal imaging in my clinic.
A This depends on several factors, including patient flow, availability of acclimation rooms (feeder rooms) and if any other equipment is in the room. We recommend a minimum room size 0f 10' x 12' for a one camera, one technician protocol. There should be no other electronic or heat producing or heat reflecting objects in that room.
Q I was told that it can cost upwards of $100,000 to prepare my office for thermographic imaging. Is this an average cost? Could it be even higher?
A I don't know who told you that, but they must have a contractor in the family they drum up business for! The reality is, that there are certain protocol necessary to insure a thermally "quiet room". This includes carpeted flooring, no windows (cover well if present) and air diffusers on the AC unit, preferably in the ceiling. Most modern offices today already have these air diffusers. A thermostat for that room would be helpful as well, but not required as long as the room is consistent in temperature between 18-23C.
Q I see that there are lots of different types of Infra Red cameras on the market that are cooled differently. What are the main differences in the accuracy of these cameras?
A Excellent question. Infrared cameras typically require internal cooling so that the heat coming from the source, in this case the patient can be measured accurately. A black body reference is most often employed within the camera to maintain equilibrium.
The cooling phase has more to do with cost of maintenance these days than it does with accuracy, Some manufacturers will disagree with me, but the relevance of the type of cooling has to do with other factors dependant on the camera design. Most cameras today are quite accurate and well within spec.
Here are some of the primary ways cameras are cooled:
1) Argon Gas Cylinders: Attached to the camera these look like small flasks filled with Argon Gas which is very cold. The gas infuses the inside of the camera, cooling it. A transfer system is required to transfer the gas on refill, from a large tank, much like the one used for helium baloons, to the small tank which is then attached to the camera. Tanks are x-rayed and certified to insure welds will hold as there is some concern of explosion. I have personally never heard of this happening, but it does take place. Most cameras that are cooled with Argon have to be serviced to replace gaskets in the camera which degrade over time, much like the gaskets used on automobile engine cylinder heads. (old technology)
2) Liquid Nitrogen: Cameras are equipped with a DEWAR which is similar to a small thermos bottle. This DEWAR is a receptacle for Liquid Nitrogen which must be poured into the camera and allowed to stabilize prior to use. Typically a large 25 liter DEWAR is filled by a local vendor for you and then you simply transfer to the Camera. Liquid Nitrogen can cause harm due to skin and eye burns as it is very cold. It is an inert gas however and relatedly safe. (old technology, but accurate and still used today)
3) Thermo-Electrically Cooled Cameras: These cameras have special materials inside the camera much like other electronic equipment but much more expensive. These cameras do not require external cooling substances like Liquid Nitrogen or Argon Gas so there are no "supplies" required. (Relatively Current Technology)
4) Uncooled Cameras: These are the new generation of medical thermal imaging cameras which use special detector arrays which do not require cooling to function. While expensive, they give the best results and there is virtually no maintenance. (State of the Art Technology)
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