Infrared Cameras: An Emerging Technology In Medicine

Who says all cancer patients have to die? Cancer isExperts also look into the possibility of using infrared
deadly, but it need not kill. Through timely detectiontechnology to map out the roots of skin cancer.
and proper treatment, it is possible to survive the BigInfrared cameras are made to distinguish between
C. Medical practitioners are now turning to technologycancerous and non-cancerous lesions. Should this
to detect the presence of cancer cells and keepprocedure be approved for widespread application, it
them from spreading; and what better way to spotwill eliminate the need for cost-intensive physical
the presence of cancer cells or ensure its completeexaminations and tissue biopsies.
removal than through infrared cameras?Finding Brain Tumors
An infrared camera, also known as thermographicBy far the hardest of all cancers to remove is brain
camera, is a device that uses infrared radiation tocancer. When surgeons operate on the brain, they
form an image. It was originally developed for militarytry to do two things: magnify the tumor as precisely
use. Over the years, however, the infrared cameraand clearly as they can, and remove as much of it as
has become the equipment of choice not only by lawpossible. The problem with this procedure, however,
enforcers and intelligence officers, but also byis that brain tumor tissues look very much similar to
doctors and archaeologists.healthy tissues. It is, thus, possible for doctors to
By far the most dramatic and useful application ofaccidentally take out healthy tissues along with the
the infrared camera is in the field of medicine.cancer cells, or leave behind cancer cells that would
Infrared cameras have been found to be veryeventually regrow into tumors.
effective in cancer screening.Doctors at the Keck School of Medicine of the
Detecting Breast CancerUniversity of Southern California are now studying
Infrared cameras are used to identify vascularthe possibility of sketching tumor margins through
thermal patterns in breasts. These patterns arerecognition of temperature changes during surgery.
usually signs of the early-stage development ofBecause tumor cells emit more heat compared to
breast cancer. In a process known as thermography,healthy ones, infrared cameras will show doctors the
vascular conditions called angiogenesis are easilyboundaries between tumor regions and the
detected. What makes the use of infrared camerassurrounding healthy tissues.
in breast cancer detection particularly dramatic is thatEmbracing Infrared Imaging
thermal imaging systems reveal angiogenesis yearsThe best thing about cancer screening through
before mammograms are able to detect them.infrared technology is that its non-invasive. Thermal
Understanding Infrared Thermographyimaging measures heat energy coming from patients.
In infrared thermography, an infrared cameraWith infrared cameras, there won't be any need to
measures temperature differences occurring inexpose patients to X-rays, intravenous solutions, or
different body parts. These cameras create picturesincisions.
pointing to areas of the body where abnormal cellInfrared technology is still in its beta phase, and has a
growth is suspected. Infrared cameras are able to dolong way to go before it gains general acceptance.
this because abnormal tissues give off more heatThis early, however, many are hopeful that infrared
than normal tissues. What this means is that under ancameras will revolutionize cancer detection and
infrared probe, body parts with unusual cell growthtreatment. With prudent and proper application of
show up quite clearly.technology, cancer patients need not die senselessly.
Pinpointing Skin Cancer Cells