Advancements in biomedical applications of infrared imaging

Introduction Infrared imaging permits to map the surface thermal distribution of the human body. A large number of studies has been so far established to assess the contribution that such information may provide to the clinicians. Cutaneous temperature distribution depends on complex relationships defining the heat exchange processes between cutaneous tissue, inner tissue, local vasculature, and metabolic activity. All of these processes are mediated and regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity to keep the thermal homeostasis. At a local level, diseases and disorders can affect the heat balance or exchange processes resulting in modification of the cutaneous temperature and of its functional with respect to healthy conditions. Therefore, the characteristic parameters modeling the spontaneous activity of the cutaneous thermoregulatory system can be used as quantitative diagnostic parameters. The functional Infrared Imaging (fIRI)– also named Infrared Functional Imaging (IRFI) – is the study for diagnostic purposes, based on the modeling of the bioheat exchange processes, of the functional properties and alterations of the human thermoregulatory system. In this paper, we will review some of the most important recent clinical applications of the functional infrared imaging.