Thermal infrared imaging is the process of mapping the subtle changes in the surface temperature of any object. This is possible through the absorption of the radiant energy that is characteristic of that particular object. According to the principles of radiation any object emits radiant energy at all temperatures. This emitted energy is same for those particular conditions. This is the same with the human body too and this is used in medical diagnostics to detect any variations.
The process of thermal infrared imaging is a safe diagnostic procedure. In this, the person being tested in not subjected to any harmful rays rather the radiations from the body are observed and are represented on a screen in the form of a thermogram. As the radiant energy need to be constant at all areas, any peaks will indicate an abnormal behavior at that particular area.
This method of thermal infrared imaging is useful for diagnosis as well as observation. This is especially useful to detect breast cancer in the early stages before actual manifestation. This is also useful in observation of the circulation system especially after a surgery and hence is being used all over the world!
