Patent ID: 7214195
Filing Date: 2007-05-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting diseased tissue comprising: recording first and second series of infrared images of a predetermined area of tissue, the first and second series of infrared images recorded in respective first and second bands of infrared wavelengths, the second band of infrared wavelengths different from the first band of infrared wavelengths; converting the first and second series of infrared images into corresponding first and second series of thermal images having a plurality of subareas; determining a first plurality of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas, each of the first plurality of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas determined from a corresponding one of the first series of thermal images; determining a first average temperature using the first plurality of average temperature values; determining a second plurality of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas, each of the second plurality of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas determined from a corresponding one of the second series of thermal images; determining a second average temperature using the second plurality of average temperature values; and analyzing the first and second pluralities of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas, wherein when a spatial distribution of the first plurality of average temperature values corresponding to a cluster comprising at least six adjacent subareas is less than about 20% or more than about 100% of the first average temperature, tissue corresponding to the cluster is preliminarily determined to be diseased, and wherein when the tissue corresponding to the cluster is preliminarily determined to be diseased and when a spatial distribution of the second plurality of average temperature values corresponding to the cluster is less than about 20% or more than about 100% of the second average temperature, tissue corresponding to the cluster is confirmed to be diseased.