Thermography Techniques

Thermography is a technique used to measure temperature variations in objects and humans. Because heat is not visible to the human eye, infrared cameras or machines capture images of heat that are omitted from either an object or the human body. These images may then help to determine if there is an issue with an object or a medical problem with a person. While thermography is used in the military and industrial fields to determine if objects are working properly, it is also increasingly being used in the medical field for diagnosis of breast cancer, infertility in men and pain syndromes, according to health insurance company Aetna's website.

Vibrothermography

• Vibrothermography is used in wood, ceramics and metals.

  Vibrothermography is used in wood, ceramics and metals. The thermography technique detects problems in those materials by using a sonic wave to vibrate a surface. Cracks then resonate due to the vibrations and produce heated patterns on the surface of the material. The patterns are displayed on an imaging device. This allows manufacturers to determine if there are any cracks or other issues within a product.

Thermoelastic Stress Analysis Thermography

• Thermoelastic stress analysis thermography is sometimes used to test aviation engines.

  This thermography technique is often used in the manufacturing process to determine if an object is strong enough to avoid cracking. Thermoelastic stress analysis thermography applies stress to an object or structure. When stress is applied, an object will heat up. An imaging device then detects possible early damage. This type of thermography is sometimes used in aviation engines.

Optically Heated Lock-In Thermography

• Optically heated lock-in thermography technique can be used to detect faults in metal.

  Optically heated lock-in thermography is often used in metals and ceramics to test for cracks, separations or moisture issues. This technique uses man-made light sources to stimulate a target through heat. Problems are then detected through an imaging device.

Dynamic Infrared Blood Perfusion Imaging

• Thermography is used to detect changes in blood flow.

  Dynamic infrared blood perfusion imaging is a newer thermography technique that detects heat changes in blood flow in tissue and organs. The infrared imaging detects infrared radiation from human tissues. This technique may be used to screen for cancers, especially breast cancer. It can also be used to evaluate a person's response to chemotherapy and assist in pre- and post-surgery monitoring, according to Aetna.

Breast Thermography Diagnostic Screening

• Some medical professionals use thermography to screen for breast cancer.

  Breast thermography diagnostic screening is used to detect breast cancer. The screening is non-invasive and non-radiative. In this technique, a thermography camera records an image map that shows abnormal hot or cold areas. This may tell a medical professional if a tumor exists, according to the website of San Diego, California-based Clinical Thermography Associates.