An application of pulsed infrared thermal imaging in the diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy

Diabetic microangiopathy is an important cause of morbidity and mortality of diabetes foot ulcers. Its early detection is very important for early intervention avoiding severe clinical symptoms. In this article, theoretical study on a pulsed infrared thermal imaging technology detecting early diabetic microangiopathy in lower extremity was carried out. The working principle of pulsed infrared thermal imaging technology was described and the 3-D thermal conduction model for atherosclerotic plaque in microvessel of distal lower extremity using pulsed infrared thermal imaging technology was established and calculated. The effect of atherosclerotic plaque geometry size including length and thickness to the measurement parameter was studied, and the influence law has been got, which can provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy using pulsed infrared thermal imaging technology.