Researches into Establishing Guidelines for Thermal Image Analysis to Diagnose Patho-physiological Functions in Clinical Laboratories

在本研究中，我们调查了临床实验室中用于诊断病理生理功能的热图像（热像图）的指南，该方法已被正式批准为临床实验室中生理功能的测试方法。自1991年以来，我们在日本热医学会（JST）成立的一个委员会中讨论了该指南，并宣布了有关皮肤基本热生理学、红外成像仪器的基本特性和临床热成像技术的部分指南。该指南包含基本的计算机图像处理。使用该指南，我们开始调查基本的临床程序，以诊断病理生理状态，从身体的热稳态异常，在各个临床部门。从JST成员中挑选了20名热学专家研究人员，组成了工作小组。各工作组提出了各自临床领域的热图像分析方案，并从热生理背景、神经表皮的定位和周围血管系统的分布等方面讨论了其诊断的基本依据。他们还讨论了深部体温和局部肌肉和器官中血流分布的影响。在研究中，我们准备了下一代热像仪和一些标准的热像分析软件。利用该仪器，我们建立了热图像处理和分析的指导方针。我们还提供了一本热图像分析的教科书。这一结果已在1995年6月1 ~ 3日在松本召开的国际热学大会上作了报告，并与国际热学学会的国际代表进行了讨论。准则委员会还审查了包括动态图像分析方法在内的热像法应力测试的标准技术。

In this research, we survey guidelines for thermal images (thermograms) to diagnose pathophisiological functions in clinical laboratories, which was approved officially as a testing method of physiological functions in clinical laboratories. We have discussed the guidelines in a committee established in the Japanese Society of Thermology (JST) since 1991 and announced a part of the guidelines concerning basic thermal physiology of skin, basic characteristics of infrared imaging instruments and techniques for taking thermograms in clinics. The guidelines contain basic computer image processing. Using the guideline, we start to survey fundamental clinical procedures to diagnose patho-physiological status from abnormality of thermal homeostasis of the body in various clinical department. Twenty researchers of thermology specialists were selected from members of JST and composed sub-working groups. In the sub-working groups, they have proposed their protocol of thermal image analysis in their special clinical field and have discussed their fundamental basis of the diagnosis from thermophysiological background, mapping of neuro-der-matome and distributions of peripheral vascular system. They have also discussed the influences of deep body tem-perature and blood flow distribution in local muscles and organs. In the research, we prepare a next generation thermographic instrument and some standard softwares for thermal image analysis. Using the instrument, we established a guideline of thermal image handling and analysis. We also provided a text book of thermal image analysis. The result was reported on the International Congress of Thermology which was held in Matsumoto on June 1 to 3,1995 and discussed with international delegates of the International College of Thermology. The guideline committee have also surveyed standard techniques for stress testing of thermography method that include dynamic image analysis methods.