Thermal imaging system

• US 8,834,020 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brain Tunnelgenix
• Original Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): KAPLAN VERBITSKY, GAIL
• Application Number:
  US13/709,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20130124039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 374120-132, 374/161, 374/137, 374/45, 702130-136, 250/338.1, 250/339.06, 250/339.11, 250/339.15, 250/341.1, 250/341.8, 250/342, 600/473
• US Class Current: 374/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0046 Arrangements of imaging apparatus in a room, e.g. room provided with shielding or for improved access to apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0079 using mirrors, i.e. for self-examination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1176 Recognition of faces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1491 Heated applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 : Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 : Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 : Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7246 : using correlation, e.g. template matching or determination of similarity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 : Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 : Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 : Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/10 : using electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/23 : from thermal infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 : provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 : Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Claims

1. A thermal imaging system comprising

an infrared imaging system including a camera, a micro processor and a display unit, said infrared imaging system being positioned at a checkpoint, said infrared imaging system measuring temperature by sensing thermal radiation naturally emitted by people passing the checkpoint,

the camera having a lens, an optical system and a photodetector, the lens being only focused on discrete points of a narrow area positioned above the eye and below an eyebrow at a brain tunnel temperature of a face of the individual passing by the checkpoint,

the photodetector quantifying energy flux in a mid infrared range naturally emitted from the brain temperature tunnel by the people passing by the checkpoint as viewed by the optical system of the camera,

the display unit displaying a thermal image of the brain temperature tunnel area of the face of the individual as viewed by the lens of the camera as the individual passes by the checkpoint,

the infrared imaging system measuring a specific temperature span of the brain temperature tunnel of a person passing the checkpoint of between two to five °

C. in relation to a reference compared to the narrow area located at the brain temperature tunnel.

2. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photodetector is a radiation sensor or a radiation detector.

3. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared imaging system captures an instantaneous image of the brain temperature tunnel area with a size of 1 to 2 mm.

4. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the infrared imaging system is located one meter from the brain temperature tunnel area.

5. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein an angle of view of the infrared imaging system is between 1.0 and 1.6 mrad.

6. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens is positioned perpendicular to a plane of a human face.

7. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared imaging system measures radiation with a wavelength ranging from 8 to 12 μ

m.

8. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared imaging system is mounted in an airport.

9. The thermal imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared imaging system is mounted in a public space to scan multiple individuals passing by.