Infrared Thermography (IRT)

• Infrared Thermography (IRT) is a non-contact imaging technique that collects thermal information from the invisible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (infrared spectrum).

• It works on the principle that all objects, animal or inert, emit infrared radiation because of their temperature.

• Using IRT, we can visually represent temperature patterns, which is useful for identifying abnormal temperature distributions in the human body.

• It’s a non-invasive approach and does not use any radiation, which makes it safe for regular monitoring and screening.

• In the health sector, IRT is often used for early detection of diseases such as breast cancer or circulatory issues, as these conditions often display as temperature variations on the skin’s surface.

• It can detect inflammation, nerve damage, or metabolic disorders because these conditions also alter the normal thermal patterns of the body.

• IRT is instrumental in sports medicine for diagnosing injuries or inflammation in muscles, ligaments, and joints.

• Despite its advantages, IRT has some limitations. For instance, it cannot visually penetrate the surface, so it’s limited to subsurface imaging. It’s also sensitive to environmental changes like room temperature and air movement.

• In order to get accurate readings, the person under test may need to acclimate to the room temperature for about 15-20 minutes and remove any jewellery or glasses that may interfere with the results.

• Interpreting IRT results requires considerable expertise as the temperature variations can be caused by various factors, and misinterpretation could lead to false positives or missed diagnosis.

• With advances in technology, there is ongoing research to improve the accuracy and versatility of IRT in detecting and monitoring different health conditions.