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Concepts and Terminology
“Thermography” is the most common term used to describe the procedure of thermal (heat) imaging. In simplest terms, thermography means "picture of heat". Since thermography is used in many other applications, the addition of the prefix "clinical" or "medical" denotes the use of thermography in the health care field.
Certain modern terms are used interchangeably for thermography:
- electronic thermography
- infrared thermography
- telethermography
- infrared imaging
- thermal imaging
- infrared thermal imaging, etc.
Since computers are routinely used to capture and analyze the infrared data, terms are inserted to note this:
- computerized thermography
- digital thermography
- computerized thermal imaging
- computerized infrared imaging
- computed thermal imaging
- digital infrared thermal imaging
- digital infrared imaging, etc.
With continued technological advancements in infrared imaging, many other terms have been incorporated. However, do not let this confuse you. As a consumer, the surest way to know if you are getting quality infrared imaging services is to look to the personnel who are performing and reading your scans and not the equipment manufacturers. If the technician and interpreter are board certified by a recognized association or society, their level of instruction is intended to provide you with a service utilizing accepted infrared imaging standards that includes proper equipment selection and imaging protocols.
We hope that this information has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at info@healthscanonline.com.
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