Improving nursing methods by using thermal imaging: Observations by CAT S60 mobile phone

Kirjoittajat

• Jarmo Alametsä Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere
• Markku Oikarainen Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere
• Jari Viik BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere
• Jarmo Perttunen Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Tampere

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.60997

Avainsanat:

thermal imaging

Abstrakti

The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine, how thermal imaging could help in advancing nursing methods and offer some new usage targets of thermal imaging for the behoof of a patient. By using CAT S60 cellular phone with an inbuilt Flir thermal camera, thermal pictures were taken from voluntary subjects in order to find out if thermal imaging with CAT S60 phone could help in treatment of a patient. Thermal camera images were taken in order to find out temperature changes in whole body, limbs and extremities. By using thermal imaging in nursing the beginning of treatment could be hastened and the monitoring of the state of a patient would be more efficient thus improving the prognosis of a patient. The benefit of the method is, that it is non-invasive, cheap and easy to use (inside a cellular phone) thus being a clear advantage.

 The results of different usage methods seen in thermal images suggest that thermal imaging with CAT S60 phone could be used to improve nursing methods and may also for its part to help in diagnosis. The present preliminary observations via thermal images showed, that the resolution of CAT S60 phone was sufficient to detect changes in human body temperature in home life. This may suggest the usage of the CAT S60 phone in home care services.