RU2256397C1 - Method for examining human internal tissues and organs - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: method involves recording heat radiation with photosensitive cell and building thermovision image as multicolor thermovision picture on display screen. The image is divided into temperature field matrix cells. Thermovision pictures produced in different sessions are reduced to the same scale and saved in database with session date being attached. The thermovision pictures are displayed on monitor screens frame-by-frame in succession separated by time pauses proportional to time intervals passed between the sessions. A pause being longer than 0.02 s, additional frames are inserted to make frame succession frequency be greater than 50 Hz. Linear interpolation is applied to additional frame color spectrum reflecting results of linear interpolation applied to matrix temperatures corresponding to the colors. The matching temperature field matrix cells temperatures are compared for determining temperature gradient in time and neighboring matrix cells temperatures produced in the same session are compared for determining spatial temperature gradient. The data are used in setting diagnosis.

EFFECT: high diagnosis accuracy.

6 dwg

Description

The invention relates to medicine and is intended for the diagnosis of diseases of the internal organs of a person.

It is well known that the correct diagnosis using modern computer tools is absolutely harmless to the patient. The radiation level of modern computer monitors meets the most stringent sanitary standards. Moreover, the earlier forecasting of diseases and their prevention is a completely new branch of medicine, some successes have been outlined in the last decade in connection with the development of computer technology.

The human body is a unique self-regulating system. Its normal state, which determines health, is supported by continuous operation, the functioning of internal organs and distributed body-wide systems: blood flow, tissue bioenergy, electrical excitation of nerves, muscles, etc. Physical fields and radiation of the body are actually the working noise of life-support systems. This noise makes it possible to observe the organism as a whole, any organ or system in its own light, and various types of fields and radiation make it possible to observe a functioning organism in various aspects. For example, in the first embodiment, when observing in the infrared (thermal) spectrum of radiation, the functioning of capillary blood flow in the skin is visible, i.e., the surface temperature of the body of the subject. In another, radiothermal, bioenergetics (metabolic rate) and blood flow in the back of the body, in particular in the cerebral cortex, are revealed, which is more promising, but not yet available due to the high cost of the equipment. In the third, acoustothermal, the heat production of muscles and internal organs is determined. In the fourth, magnetic organism, it is most transparent, and the state of bioelectric excitation of the brain, heart, muscles, etc. is visible.

Such an approach, namely obtaining information on the object’s own signals in radiophysics and medicine, is called passive remote sensing. Based on the experience gained at the Institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as in a number of enterprises developing modern, high-tech medical equipment, a new generation of medical equipment and methods of functional diagnostics has been created, based on the dynamic mapping of any physical fields and radiation of the human body: electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, infrared, thermal, acoustic and optical visible wave spectrum. These methods, called functional imaging, make it possible to detect early functional precursors of diseases, i.e. carry out early diagnosis of diseases of internal organs, for example, by the dynamics or level of increase or decrease in temperature of this organ. Modern equipment allows the doctor to observe on the screen of a personal computer in the form of a digital film the functioning of the above basic life support systems both in natural variability (dynamics) and in statics in the form of a color picture. Functional mapping of an organism according to its own signals is ecologically absolutely clean, safe, and does not affect the body, which opens up great prospects in our environmentally stressful time. The developed equipment and software make it possible to observe images of regions of the body of interest in their own light in different wavelength ranges, build functional maps from them that characterize the functional state of microcirculation and metabolism in biological tissues, including the bioelectric activity of the heart, brain, muscles, blood supply systems, lymphatic systems at different periods of time. In modern medicine, methods of morphological structural diagnostics predominate, the apex of which is a modern tomograph, which allows you to visually identify the place of body dysfunction. However, long before the occurrence of violations in a self-regulating system, its functioning should be disrupted. To reveal where and to what extent functional changes occurred is the task of creating new equipment and methods for early functional diagnostics. In addition, modern equipment and methods allow you to individually monitor and adjust the course of medical procedures in order to restore the stable functioning of the body, i.e. effective treatment of the patient.

Thus, fundamentally new possibilities are revealed for detecting pathology at the earliest stages by creating specialized banks of functional images - precursors of pathology, i.e. a set of statistical data on the dependence of certain changes in the wave radiation of an organ from a violation of its function. This is a new, most natural, effective and absolutely safe medical technology. The fields of application of this new equipment and technology cover almost all medicine - from prenatal to gerontology.

The possibilities of natural functional monitoring according to the body’s own dynamic images are indispensable: during resuscitation, in rehabilitation clinics, in gerontological clinics, when testing pharmaceutical preparations, and when optimizing the dosage of pharmaceutical and physiotherapy.

During the diagnosis and treatment of almost all diseases, the most significant interest for doctors is temperature, its distribution and the dynamics of changes on the surface of the human body. One of the most common instruments for visualizing human temperature fields is, for example, an infrared thermal imager (such as AGA, Rainbow, TV-03, etc.). Such devices allow you to register, observe and analyze the distribution of temperature fields on the skin surface on the monitor screen, based on the reception of the body’s own thermal radiation in the infrared wavelength range. Infrared thermography has already been used in the diagnosis of various types of oncological, neurological, vascular and other diseases for more than 15 years and considerable experience has been accumulated in other leading medical institutions to date. There is also considerable experience in conducting research and evaluating radiothermographic images. It should be noted that IR thermography, which is usually used, deals at best with a set of static images of parts of the body surface that are either directly affected or that are zones of thermal or reflex projection of internal pathologically altered organs. But due to the strong attenuation of infrared waves in the human body is not always reliable. All deep processes can be reflected in the temperature fields of the skin only as a result of the action of various heat transfer mechanisms. The use of thermal imaging equipment for the treatment of diseases is unknown.

To study the temperature distributions in the depths of the body, it is necessary to use instruments that accept the person’s own thermal radiation at longer wavelengths, for example, in the radio range.

The principle of operation of the device for recording and visualizing the deep thermal fields of a human body - a radiothermograph is based on the reception of its own thermal (Planck) radiation of the human body in the decimeter wavelength range. The basis of the device is a highly sensitive multichannel receiver - a radiometer, at the inputs of which contact antenna applicators are connected. Applicator antennas are installed on the researcher of the region of the human body or head. For efficient reception of signals, antennas must have good electrodynamic contact (low reflection coefficient) and be matched in impedance (wave impedance) with the human body. Since the wave impedance depends on the dielectric constant of the substance, and the human body has an average dielectric constant of 40-60, the dimensions of the antennas are significantly reduced relative to the dimensions for free space. Accordingly, the resolution is also improved. So, in particular, for a wavelength in the free space of 40 cm, the wavelength in the human body is 5-7 cm. In this case, a resolution of 2.5-3.5 cm can be obtained.

A multichannel radiothermograph is a hardware-software complex consisting of a highly sensitive decimeter wave band receiver (radiometer), a set of antenna applicators (in the number of channels) with attachment devices on the person’s head and body, an IBM-type personal computer, and a software package. Information is transmitted from the radiometer to the computer in digital form via the standard RS-232 port. The device provides LED quality control installation of antenna applicators on the body (head) of a person. There are skin temperature sensors under the antennas and a room temperature sensor. Calibration of the device is done by installing all the antennas in a thermostat with saline. Using two thermostat temperatures, the corresponding coefficients are calculated to calculate the temperatures for each channel. A radio thermograph is much more complicated and expensive than a thermal imager, it is not widely used in clinics of the country and requires highly qualified specialists to service it.

A known method and device for examining internal organs according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2071725. The disadvantage is the impact on the body of harmful x-ray radiation.

A known method for the diagnosis of surfaces of biological objects using reflected radiant energy according to the patent of the Russian Federation for the invention No. 2086177, IPC 6 A 61 B 6/00, publ. 08/10/97. The method involves the impact on the surface of a person of laser radiation and registration of reflected radiation by equipment containing a computer and a monitor. The disadvantages of this method: it is applicable only for the study of the surface of a biological object, for the study of internal organs is not suitable. The device is quite complex and expensive, because it contains, in addition to a computer, a laser emitter and photodetectors.

A known method and device for the study of internal organs and human tissues according to the patent of the Russian Federation for invention No. 2069063, prototype. The method consists in registering laser radiation passing through the organ under study. The device contains a laser emitter, a photodetector, a camera and a video block (monitor).

The disadvantage of this method and device: the complexity and high cost of the equipment and the impact on the human body by laser radiation.

Objectives of the invention:

1. Simplification of equipment to the level of use of standard, mass-produced blocks.

2. Exclusion of the effects of harmful radiation on the human body.

The solution of these problems was achieved in a method for studying internal organs and human tissues, which consists in recording thermal radiation using a radiothermograph, forming its thermal imaging image in the form of a multicolor thermal imaging picture on a monitor screen for viewing and dividing the image into elements of a matrix of temperature fields, so that thermal the radiation of the object of study is carried out in different sessions with a certain frequency, the obtained thermal imaging pictures are stored in databases data indicating the date of the session and lead to the same scale, when viewed on a monitor screen, thermal images are shown in the form of frames sequentially with a time interval directly proportional to the time interval between sessions, and if this time interval is more than 0.02 s, insert additional frames so that the frame rate exceeds 50 Hz, while for additional frames perform linear interpolation of the color gamut in accordance with the temperature colors of the matrix elements, compare the temperature of neighboring points of the matrix of temperature fields obtained in one session, and the temperature of the same points of the matrix of temperature fields obtained in different sessions, and determine the spatial temperature gradient and temperature gradient over time, the data on which are used in the diagnosis.

Temperature fields are highly sensitive even to very small (0.1 ... 2 mg / min) changes in blood flow velocity. Local changes in blood flow in a certain organ volume can be detected through the interpretation of temperature fields recorded by the thermal imager and our device.

Conducted patent research and analysis showed that the proposed technical solution has novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. The inventive step is ensured by the fact that a new set of essential features, necessary and sufficient for the implementation of the method, allows to obtain new properties: a significant increase in the effectiveness of treatment and the expansion of the functional capabilities of the method, namely, to provide self-medication or treatment under the supervision of a professional.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings: figures 1-6, where:

figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system for implementing the method using a thermal imager,

figure 2 shows the optical diagram of the thermal imager,

figure 3 - connection diagram of the system to the Internet,

figure 4 - software method,

5 and 6 are an example of adjusting the scale of a thermal imaging image of an organ under investigation.

The device is intended for visualization of the studied organ 1 for the purpose of therapeutic effect on it and contains a thermal imager 2 (or a radiothermograph), to which a computer 3 (Pentium type) and a monitor 4 are connected. Thermal imager 2 (figure 2) contains IR (infrared) lenses 5 and b, a line of photodetectors 7, a two-sided scanning mirror 8, a line of emitters 9, a collimating lens 10 and 11, two mirror elements 12 and 13, two focusing lenses 14, 15 and 16, 17, two pentaprisms 18 and 19, two eyepieces 20, 21 and 22, 23, an electric motor 24 with a crank at Odom on the scanning mirror. The line of emitters 9 is made in the form of a 64 element line of green-emitting light-emitting diodes, manufactured by OKB “Proton”, Oryol. At the output of the system, photodetectors 25 and 26 and an electronic amplifier 27 are installed. The computer software 3 is shown in FIG. Computer 3 (Pentium type) contains the electronic components of computer 34 and computer software 35. Computer software 35 includes an operating system 36, a diagnostic program 37, a thermal imaging program 38, a temperature matrix program 39, and a program for determining temporal gradients 40, a spatial determination program gradients 41.

Figure 5 and 6 shows the reduction of thermal imaging images of the investigated organ 1 obtained at different time periods T ₁ T ₂ to the same scale. To do this, determine the maximum dimensions of the organ A and B.

The ratio of sizes A and B will be the scaling factor

K = A / B

The image obtained in the period of time T ₂ decreases K times.

All thermal images are divided into elements 1, 2, 3 ... I ... N horizontally and 1, 2, 3, ... J, ... M - vertically.

Each element of the matrix in a period of time t has a temperature - Tijt. This matrix is entered into the computer database and is constantly stored in it and serves as the main component for the formation of dynamically changing (according to the color gamut thermal imaging picture of the organ under study).

Thermal imaging is the acquisition of a visible image of an object based on its own infrared (thermal) radiation. Infrared rays are invisible to humans. For their perception, special devices are needed - thermal imagers. The principle of all thermal imaging devices is somewhat reminiscent of a night vision device. Radiation using lenses is projected onto a photodetector, which has selective sensitivity to a specific infrared wavelength. The received radiation causes a change in the electrical properties of the photodetector and is amplified by an electronic amplifier. The signal is processed (digitized) and transmits information about the temperature of the identified object and each part with an accuracy above 0.1 ° C. The signal transmitted to the computer allows you to determine the contours of the biological object and the temperature of its surface on the monitor screen, and each color value has its own color on the monitor screen.

During operation, an IR lens, consisting of two components 5 and 6, each of which contains a positive lens, focuses the image on the line of photodetectors 7 through one side of the mirror 8, scanning the thermal picture by angular vibrations from the rotation of the electric motor 24 with a crank drive. The radiation from the line of emitters 9 is collimated by the lens, consisting of a negative lens 10 and a positive lens 11, through the other side of the mirror 8, while maintaining the equality of the image scale vertically and horizontally. The parallel beam after the lens 10, 11 is reflected from the mirror elements 12 and 13 and is divided in different directions to the lenses 14, 15, 16, 17, focused by them, wrapped in the horizontal plane by pentaprisms 18 and 19 and viewed through the eyepieces 20, 21 and 22, 23, with two eyes, while the ratio of the sizes of the exit pupil of the lens 10, 11 and the exit pupil of the lens should correspond to Dout≥Dbx.

When using a computer, the radiation enters the photodetectors 25 and 26, and the electrical signal to the photoelectronic amplifier 27 and then to the port of the computer 3. Computer 3 processes the signal and generates a color image of the object on the monitor screen 4 (Fig.3). If the sensors measured the temperature, and it differs for each of them by at least 0.1 ° C, then the image will be multicolor.

Computer 3 (Fig. 4) can be through a modem 28, a communication line 29, the Internet 30 is connected to modems 32 and then to computers of institutions 33 installed on the territory of medical institutions 31. Medical institutions 31 are understood as institutes, clinics, laboratories, consulting items etc.

EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METHOD

Example 1

Patient A, 47 years old, was examined for 2 years on a thermal imager with a frequency of 1 time per month. The object of study is the heart. A persistent decrease in the average heart temperature by 0.4 ° C was noted. Studies by other, traditional methods have shown the development of myocardial infarction.

Example 2

Patient C, 54 years old, for 1 year with a frequency of 1 month examined the kidneys on a thermal imager. A persistent decrease in the average temperature of the left kidney by 0.7 ° C was noted. The diagnosis made by traditional methods is acute renal failure.

Example 3

In case of insufficient personal experience, the doctor working on computer 3, via the Internet, transmits a thermal imaging image of the back of the patient’s hand (patient) to the computer 33 of the medical institution (or leading specialized medical institutions of regional or international importance for consultation with the most qualified specialists working in clinics other cities of the country or abroad) and almost immediately receives a response via the Internet on any question that interests him. The consultant is guided in diagnosing not only a verbal description of the signs of the disease, but also objective physical measurements that are independent of subjective perception.

The application of the invention allowed:

1. To increase the accuracy of diagnosis due to repeated research and analysis of the thermal imaging picture in dynamics.

2. To provide a qualitative picture of the temperature gradient over time and its visualization in the form of a film on the screen of a personal computer monitor.

3. To use standard equipment serialized by industry of all countries of the world: a thermal imager of any brand and a personal computer of the Pentium type of any configuration.

4. Eliminate human exposure to any electromagnetic radiation, including laser or x-ray.

Claims (1)

A method for studying internal organs and human tissues, which consists in recording thermal radiation using a radiothermograph, forming its thermal imaging image in the form of a multicolor thermal imaging picture on a monitor screen for viewing and dividing the image into elements of a matrix of temperature fields, characterized in that the thermal radiation of the object of study is recorded in different sessions with a certain periodicity, the obtained thermal images are stored in a database with the date sessions and lead to the same scale, when viewed on a monitor screen, thermal images are shown in the form of frames sequentially with a time interval directly proportional to the time interval between sessions, and if this time interval is more than 0.02 s, additional frames are inserted in this way so that the frame rate exceeds 50 Hz, while for additional frames, linear interpolation of the color gamut is performed in accordance with the colors of the temperature of the matrix elements, the temperatures of neighboring points are compared matrix of temperature fields obtained in one session, and the temperature of the same points in the matrix of temperature fields obtained in different sessions, and determine the spatial temperature gradient and temperature gradient over time, the data on which are used in the diagnosis.

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