In the realm of biomedical research, the utilization of infrared thermography (IRT) has emerged as a valuable tool for non-invasive temperature measurement, offering insights into physiological processes, disease pathology, and treatment efficacy. This abstract provides an overview of various studies employing IRT across different biomedical applications at the Department of Biophysics, Medical Faculty of Masaryk university. Collaborative efforts with clinicians from Faculty Hospital have explored applications ranging from monitoring body temperature in patients or animal models, temperature studies of medical devices to assessing the temperature during surgical procedures. The department is equipped with a wide range of bolometric IRT instruments of various designs and parameters.
One such application involves the evaluation of tissue heating during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures, particularly in the context of metal stent recanalisation. Ex vivo experiments on porcine liver tissue demonstrated the potential of IRT in visualizing temperature changes around the stent and surrounding tissue, aiding in RFA procedure optimization. Similarly, acustom-built irreversible electroporation (IRE) equipment for malignancy treatment has been investigated. Pilot studies on porcine liver models examined the thermal effects of IRE, as an indicator to help to minimize tissue damage. Moreover, IRT has been used in assessing revascularization outcomes in patients with ischemic limb disease. There were evaluated post-surgical perfusion changes by correlating thermographic data with clinical parameters such as ankle-brachial index (ABI). The results highlight the potential of IRT as an adjuct diagnostic tool. Additionally, IRT has shown a promise in gastrointestinal surgery, facilitating the real-time assessment of tissue perfusion during anastomotic procedures. Comparative analyses with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging have underscored the efficacy of IRT in delineating tissue vascularisation. Furthermore, a study investigating surface temperature variations in different facial regions emphasized the importance of adhering to standard measurement protocols, as deviations can impact data consistency and their interpretation. The importance of IRT were demonstrated during COVID19 pandemic when, in particular, steps were taken to raise awareness of temperature measurements in the facial area. Recent research has also explored the determination of temperature changes in facial areas in response to various types of audio stimulation (positive, neutral, negative). This study utilized IRT to track temperature variations in different facial regions, providing insights into emotional responses and their physiological manifestations.
In conclusion, the multifaceted applications of IRT in biomedical research underscore its versatility and potential as a non-invasive imaging modality. Continued research efforts aimed at refining techniques and validating findings will further enhance its utility in clinical practice and scientific inquiry.