Skin Cancer Detection Using Infrared Thermography: Measurement Setup, Procedure and Equipment
Jan Verstockt,
Simon Verspeek,
Filip Thiessen,
Wiebren A. Tjalma,
Lieve Brochez,
Gunther Steenackers
Affiliations
Jan Verstockt
InViLab Research Group, Department Electromechanics, Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
Simon Verspeek
InViLab Research Group, Department Electromechanics, Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
Filip Thiessen
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Antwerp, Belgium
Wiebren A. Tjalma
Gynaecological Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Antwerp, Belgium
Lieve Brochez
Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Gunther Steenackers
InViLab Research Group, Department Electromechanics, Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
Infrared thermography technology has improved dramatically in recent years and is gaining renewed interest in the medical community for applications in skin tissue identification applications. However, there is still a need for an optimized measurement setup and protocol to obtain the most appropriate images for decision making and further processing. Nowadays, various cooling methods, measurement setups and cameras are used, but a general optimized cooling and measurement protocol has not been defined yet. In this literature review, an overview of different measurement setups, thermal excitation techniques and infrared camera equipment is given. It is possible to improve thermal images of skin lesions by choosing an appropriate cooling method, infrared camera and optimized measurement setup.