BR-102019019090-B1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING VIDEO-THERMOMETRIC IMAGES

Abstract

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING VIDEO-THERMOMETRIC IMAGES The present invention describes a method and system for processing video-thermometric and video-thermometric images of patients, comprising a method for delineating the macro aspect of the region of interest in real-time, generated by the emission of MIR and LIR electromagnetic waves and fusion of the real image, with image enhancement, also in real-time, enabling the analysis of the micro aspect by means of NIR electromagnetic wave emission, for the spectral identification of the sample by infrared vibrational spectroscopy. The present invention is situated in the fields of medicine, biomedicine and electrical engineering.

Inventors

• PAULA GEBE ABREU CABRAL

Assignees

• PAULA GEBE ABREU CABRAL

Dates

Publication Date

20260317

Application Date

20190913

Claims (10)

1. 1. A method for processing video-thermometric images of patients, for identifying anomalies not visible to the naked eye, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. delimitation of a region of interest and recording of anomalies not visible to the naked eye, through the detection of MIR and LIR electromagnetic waves; b. video-thermometry of the region of interest through the detection of MIR and LIR electromagnetic waves; the method being characterized by comprising the following steps: c. spectral analysis of the examination area through the detection of NIR electromagnetic waves; d. detection of temperature discrepancies in the region of interest, after the video-thermometry step; e. construction of a color range from a color palette on a uniform gradient base, the color range being able to move on a maximum and minimum temperature bar; by means of a toolbar that groups and moves a predetermined temperature range corresponding to the color range, represented by solid colors, on the uniform gradient base; f. Adjust the color parameters of the thermometric video using the aforementioned toolbar to create the desired thermometric video image.
2. 2. A method for processing thermometric video images, according to claim 1, characterized in that the color palette comprises a combination of colors, with positioning and movement associated with one or more isotherms.
3. 3. A method for processing thermometric video images, according to claim 2, characterized in that the selected isotherms are grouped at predetermined intervals on the maximum and minimum temperature bar, where the isotherms can be moved to find the desired thermometric video image.
4. 4. A method for processing thermometric video images, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a step of applying the color palette to the generated thermometric video.
5. 5. A method for processing thermometric video images, according to claim 2, characterized in that the bar tool comprises a strip relative to an isotherm.
6. 6. A method for processing thermometric video images, according to claim 5, characterized in that said range comprises a temperature variation relative to said isotherm.
7. 7. A system for processing thermometric video images of patients, characterized by comprising: a. a thermometric video acquisition means comprising at least one reading head; and b. a thermometric video manipulation means configured to receive the thermometric video generated by the acquisition means, c. wherein, the thermometric video manipulation means comprises a uniform gradient base, forming a maximum and minimum temperature bar of the thermometric video image; and a color palette, constructed with a color range, which moves over said temperature bar to find the desired thermometric video image; d. wherein, the color palette additionally comprises a parallel bar of isotherms, in which a predetermined temperature range, represented by solid colors, is selected to be moved over the temperature bar finding similar temperature areas.
8. 8. Thermometric video image processing system, according to claim 7, characterized in that the acquisition means comprises a reading head in the infrared NIR, MIR and LIR bands associated with a camera for image fusion.
9. 9. A video thermometric image processing system, according to claim 8, characterized in that acquisition in the NIR infrared range generates a sample spectrum in the video thermometric image.
10. 10. Thermometric video image processing system, according to claim 7, characterized in that the thermometric video manipulation means comprises a tool for simultaneous visualization of existing color palettes, represented by superimposed mini-images, wherein the superimposed mini-images are highlighted when selected for manipulation of the thermometric video image.

Description

Field of Invention [0001] The present invention describes a method and system for processing video-thermometric and video-thermometric images of patients, comprising a method for delineating the macro aspect of the region of interest, generated by the emission of MIR and LIR electromagnetic waves and fusion of the real image, with image enhancement, enabling the analysis of the micro aspect by means of NIR electromagnetic wave emission, for the spectral identification of the sample by infrared vibrational spectroscopy. The present invention is situated in the fields of medicine, biomedicine and electrical engineering. Background of the Invention [0002] When analyzing the electromagnetic spectrum, we realize that the most commonly used imaging exams are found at the extremes. The infrared portion of the spectrum has its main application in industrial inspection, the automotive industry, steelmaking, the aeronautical industry, the chemical industry, engineering, arts, and electrical maintenance, being a reliable technique that helps prevent interruptions in production processes, avoiding expenses and misfortunes (NOGUEIRA, 2010). [0003] In the health field, Nicholas A. Diakides was a key figure, as he was the manager of the infrared technology program at the US Army's night vision and electro-optics laboratory between 1962-1983, where he developed several applications for infrared imaging, including "smart" image processing, computer-aided detection (CAD), knowledge-based databases, and telemedicine systems. With Diakides' collaboration, the technique was regulated by the European Association of Thermology in 1972 (LAHIRI, 2012). In 2003, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulated the examination as "real-time digital thermometry". In Brazil, the AMB (Brazilian Medical Association) regulated the "cutaneous thermology" examination under number 39.01.007-4. [0004] In cardiac surgery, the initial usefulness of video thermometry occurred in myocardial revascularization procedures, where the use of the method ensured the viability of grafts and anastomoses in coronary surgeries (MOHR, 1989). It is also useful for patients suffering from angina, demonstrating that in the precordial region the thermal variation is greater than in normal patients, which is confirmed by angiography (BRIOSCHI, 2002). In clinical cardiology, thermometry is used as an aid in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, by evidencing vascular dysfunction through the patient's skin, in specific areas, related to the level of occlusion by atheromas (THIRUVENGADAM, 2014). [0005] Note that the term used in the industrial area is “Thermography for the technique and Thermogram for the examination”, using static images. In the health area, the regulated term is “Thermology for the technique and Thermometry for the examination” with dynamic images in real-time, where the thermometric image is a digital image that can be processed. [0006] The difference in focus is what makes the thermometric image the object of our interest. The adaptation of the industrial standard of "thermography" to the health field (ARENA 2004; TAN, 2009; NOGUEIRA, 2010; RING 2013; QUESADA, 2016) created a trend towards the use of static and multicolored (rainbow) images from industrial software (VADARSCA, 2014), underutilizing the technique, since it can provide more information than it appears if we use an image standard that takes into account the fact that the human being is a dynamic and homeothermic structure, being almost a black body. According to the theory of thermal radiation, the black body is considered a hypothetical object that absorbs all incident radiation and radiates a continuous spectrum according to Planck's law. Integrating Planck's law for all frequencies, we obtain Stefan-Boltzmann's law, which describes the total emission power of a black body (MODEST, 2013). Our skin is almost a black body with an irradiation rate of 97 to 99% reflecting 1 to 3% (LAHIRI, 2012). [0007] In 1987, Gautherie conducted a prospective study on over 25,000 women, both asymptomatic (59%) and symptomatic (41%), over four years, with the aim of investigating thermal and vascular disturbances associated with the early stages of breast malignancy. All patients underwent thermographic examination under standardized conditions, mammography, physical examination, and, when indicated, complementary radiographic, ultrasonographic, and cytological examinations. Of the 294 in situ, microinvasive, and non-palpable cancers diagnosed, 60-70% generated significant thermal anomalies that, in most cases, consisted of distorted thermovascular patterns. Two hundred and four (21.3%) of the 958 patients who, at their first visit, had an abnormal thermogram, but without any evidence on physical examination or mammography, developed cancer in the following three years. [0008] In 1996, Gamagami wrote in his Atlas of Mammography that pre-neoplastic angiogenic changes can be observed