Patent ID: 7485097
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
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 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; taking first and second radiance measurements at respective first and second bands of infrared wavelengths of known healthy tissue; correlating the first and second radiance measurements of known healthy tissue; correlating the first and second plurality of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas; and analyzing the correlated first and second plurality of average temperature values for each of the plurality of subareas, wherein when an intercept of the correlated first and second plurality of average temperature values corresponding to a cluster comprising at least six adjacent subareas is different from an intercept of the correlation of known healthy skin, tissue corresponding to the cluster is determined to be diseased.