Introductory Chapter: Non-Invasive Diagnostic Methods in Medicine

Abstract

measuring the heart rate and respiration using a visible light camera and a thermal imaging camera. The basic principles and assumptions that enable to use this type of techniques to assess the health of patients with a suspected infectious disease are discussed here. The research was carried out in a group of 10 students; the cameras were located approximately 50 cm from the subjects’ faces. The observations were carried out at rest and after exercises for a period of time equal to 30 seconds. The examination involved simultaneous reading of parameters of breath and electrocardiogram sensors (as reference data) and recording images from visible light and thermal imaging cameras. During respira -tion, the temperature in the facial area changed, and due to heart beating, the luminance in the facial area also changed. These changes were recorded as a series of images, from which the values representing the current state of the subject in quantitative form were extracted. As a result of the research, it was established that there was a relationship between signals received from the cameras and signals registered by breath and pulse sensors. The obtained results of identification of affected patients (in the study group) indicated the high potential of the proposed solution. According to the authors, the presented solution can be used to prepare an infectious disease screening system. The prediction of positive cases was 100%.