Medical Applications of Thermal Imaging (7125-330)

Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a design for a second generation LWIR photovoltaic HgCdTe focal plane array thermal imaging system specifically configured for real-time medical diagnostic applications that will be fabricated and demonstrated in a Phase II effort. The proposed medical instrument will consist of three components designed for ease of use by medical personnel: 1) a self-calibrating LWIR camera utilizing focal plane array technology; 2) a video display/recording system with real-time image processing; and 3) an expert software system configured for specific medical diagnosis to analyze and convert the thermal image into a format that will be acceptable to clinicians. The proposed camera will use an available photovoltaic HgCdTe 240 x 4 Infrared Focal Plane Array manufactured by Texas Instrument, and employ two Peltier devices as internal temperature calibration standards. Use of a PC based video processing system will minimize development time and cost, and clinical physicians from the Lahey Clinic, will be consulted to assist in the development of medical diagnostic procedures. The first diagnostic procedures to be developed will involve tissue viability determination in reconstructive skin graft surgery, followed by emergency medical diagnosis for acute mesenteric ischemia, malignant hyperthermia due to drug overdoses, and multiple trauma injuries.