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New developments in breast thermography. High spatial resolution
Author(s) -
Dodd Gerald D.,
Zermeno Alfonso,
Marsh Lee,
Boyd David,
Wallace John D.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196912)24:6<1212::aid-cncr2820240625>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - thermography , optical transfer function , image resolution , scanner , resolution (logic) , detector , frame (networking) , medicine , medical physics , image quality , artificial intelligence , computer science , computer vision , optics , image (mathematics) , telecommunications , infrared , physics
Two design trends have become evident in the development of clinical thermo‐graphic equipment—higher frame rates which meet the requirements for real‐time presentation and novel color and isotherm techniques designed to increase the differential temperature capabilities of display systems. These developments, for the most part, have been accomplished at the expense of spatial resolution. Little has been reported on the characteristics of high spatial resolution thermography. With the rapid developments in detector technology, it has now become possible to retain the desired degree of temperature resolution at clinically acceptable frame rates while increasing spatial resolution. Such a system is presently being tested at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute and its performance compared with commercially developed thermographic units. The criteria for comparison are the diagnostic value of the thermograms and image quality as determined by the modulation transfer function. At the present time, the experimental thermograms indicate that high spatial resolution simplifies the recognition and classification of thermal patterns while decreasing the number of false‐positive examinations. Information may also be derived concerning the heat transfer processes involved. The experimental scanner is not suited for routine clinical use and theoretical calculations concerning the development of an optimal clinical scanning device are presented.