Medical Imager for Sub-Surface Temperature Mapping
Our imager operates at millimetre wavelengths – these result in sub-surface temperature images/maps with high spatial and thermal resolution, recorded from useful depths below the skin surface. This technique simply records the natural thermal emission of the human body and there is no active illumination of the subject.
This new imaging modality uses a passive, non-contacting sensor and is inherently safe as it presents no “dose” to patient or operator, and facilitates repeated screening. The imager is operable by nursing staff and does not require a radiologist to use the imager. It can “see-through” dressings, which has the potential to reduce the chance of cross-contamination (e.g. MRSA) and hence accelerate wound healing and has the potential to be used in combination with infrared thermal imaging and laser Doppler imaging which are synergistic technologies. As the imager generates digital images, there are no consumables used when recording images making running costs negligible.
Key Benefits
- Measures body temperature below the skin surface
- Passive, non-contacting imager
- Inherently safe for patient/operator - no illumination
- Operable by non-specialists
- Produces digital images suitable for PACS/telemedicine.
- (Infrared thermal imaging yields images with high spatial/thermal resolution but only maps skin surface temperature. Microwave thermography measures at greater depths but is time consuming and does not form a true image. Laser doppler imaging can be used to map sub-surface blood flow velocity but lack of blood flow-skin temperature correlation means unreliability in temperature measurement).
Applications
- The medical conditions which we believe the imager will be relevant include:-arthritis/rheumatism, ulcers, burns, wound healing, Raynaud's disease, hand-arm vibration syndrome(HAVS), industrial white finger (IWF), amputation (skin flaps), cosmetic surgery (skin grafts), skin cancer, dermatology.
- The worldwide diagnostic medical imaging market in 2001 was $14.9bn (of this US 43%, EU 24%) with 7% per/annum growth predicted to 2007. This is a new imaging modality and would therefore create a new sector, comparable to ultrasound in size (22% of global imaging market).
IP Status
An advance prototype imager has been built and is being evaluated in a control-data trial at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. The University of St Andrews has applied for UK and PCT patent protection and the research group involved continues to perform R&D in mm-wave technology. There are no commercial parties involved in this research and the University would welcome enquiries from commercial parties interested in developing commercial applications of this imaging technology.
University of St Andrews, Knowledge Transfer Centre,
The Gateway, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife. KY16 9SS
Tel: +44 (0)1334 462163
Fax: +44 (0)1334 462386
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