THERMOGRAPHY
Thermography, also known as Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI), is a non-invasive adjunctive diagnostic imaging technique that provides clinically signficant information about the body's physiology (how it is functioning). It uses the FDA-registered Meditherm camera and sophisticated software to detect and record infrared radiation being emitted from the body surface and displays the thermal patterns in full spectrum color as a digitized image.
Why it is Valuable:
Medical Thermography's major clinical value is in its high sensitivity to detection of thermal changes in the vascular, muscular, neural and skeletal systems at a cellular level. DITI shows information relating to vascular activity, inflammation, lymphatic activity, hormonal dysfunction, vasomotive conditions and other 'functional' abnormalities. The major benefit is in detecting early changes in the body's physiology that precedes pathology that will become symptomatic and diagnosable at some stage. Early detection of abnormality is aimed at prevention - which provides the opportunity to intervene, choose additional diagnostic testing, have better treatment options, and ultimately change the outcome.
What the Color Represents:
DITI measures dermal infrared radiation (heat). Thermoregulation of the skin is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and a normal body is thermally symmetrical. Many pathophysiological states trigger thermal alterations in the outermost 5mm of skin dermis via circulatory beds. The visual range of colors show temperature variations - thermal asymmetry between one side of the body and the other, patterns, and localized hyper or hypothermia. Patterns indicate very different conditions. As a physiologic test, Thermography demonstrates heat patterns or subtle variations in temperature that may be indicative of abnormality. Each pixel in the Thermogram accurately displays a temperature sensitive to 0.01 degree Celsius.
Features of Thermography:
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No Pain
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No Radiation
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Non-Invasive
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No Compression
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Low Cost Basis
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FDA-Registered
Clinical Uses:
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Early detection of abnormal physiology (functioning) before symptoms are clinically evident.
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To localize an abnormal area not previously identified, so further diagnostic tests can be performed.
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To define the extent of an injury, condition, or lesion of which a diagnosis has previously been made.
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Objectively display changes in skin surface temperature produced by an individual's subjective feelings of pain.
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As a screening test in all age groups to establish a baseline (patient's normal thermal fingerprint) for ongoing comparative analysis.
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To monitor changes and healing process over time and resulting from treatment (therapy, medication, radiation, chemotheraphy, etc.)
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To monitor the healing process or complications resulting from surgery, fractures, sprains/strains, accidents, or sports injuries.
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To monitor the progression or recovery of a disease condition.