Early results from the NeuroSIPE programme 'Beyond Pain'
project, in research funded by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW,
demonstrate how a FLIR SC5600 thermal imaging camera has been
used as an effective, non-invasive tool for monitoring of pain
processing in the central nervous system of patients suffering from
small fiber neuropathy. Small fiber
neuropathy (SFN) is a sensory neuropathy that affects small fibers and
their functions. Currently there is not a gold standard for the
diagnosis of SFN. While skin biopsy provides an assessment of
intra-epidermal nerve fiber density, the technique is invasive,
labour-intensive and has limited accuracy. The goal of the 'Beyond Pain'
project is to develop a technique that enables quantitative and
non-invasive diagnosis of SFN.
SFN is known to
affect the local vasomotor response of skin. Using a method developed by
'Beyond Pain' project researchers a subjects skin is locally heated up
to a maximum of 42 C with an infrared lamp. The thermal response of the
skin is evaluated based on two signals: local skin blood flow, measured
with laser Doppler flowmetry and local skin temperature, measured with a
thermography camera (FLIR SC5600). The first results on healthy
volunteers demonstrate that the regulation of skin temperature can be
assessed with the new technique.
FLIR SC-Series
thermal imaging cameras are used for capturing and recording thermal
distribution and variations in real-time, allowing researchers to see
and accurately measure heat patterns, dissipation, leakage, and other
temperature factors in equipment, products and processes. These cameras
can distinguish temperature changes as subtle as 0.02°C. They feature
state-of-the-art detector technology and advanced mathematical
algorithms for high performance and precise measurements from -80°C to
+3000°C. The SC-Series R&D camera range combine extremely high
imaging performance and precise temperature measurements, with powerful
tools and software for analysing and reporting.