Thermal and RGB-D Imaging for Necrotizing Enterocolitis Detection

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe condition in neonates, typically involving inflammation in the small intestine. In this paper, a novel automated image acquisition and analysis system combining an infrared thermal camera with a RGB-D sensor is proposed for detection of NEC in preterm newborns. Calibration procedures are defined to ensure frame synchronization and observation consistency among the color, depth and infrared images. Segmentation and extraction of the body are automatically performed on the infrared image with the help of the additional color and depth information collected by the RGB-D sensor. Automated analysis of the temperature distribution over the entire abdominal region minimizes interference from manual intervention and facilitates operation in a clinical environment. An experimental comparison of temperature distribution in normal babies and those with NEC demonstrates encouraging initial results.