Objective: The objective of this feasibility study is to investigate the usefulness of the infrared image for cross sectional surface of TMM (Tissue Mimicking Material) from the viewing point of both the measured temperature rise and the depth of maximum temperature.
Methods: First, the comparison was performed between infrared image on the surface of TMM having equivalent consistent to the material of IEC60601-2-37ED2(see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) and measured temperature from Thermal Test Object(TTO) developed for the measurement on IEC/TS62306ED1 by National Physical Laboratory(UK), as test and reference, respectively. A phased array transducer(Toshiba) was used for 3 minute’s radiation and heat conduction to TMM/TTO. The special transmission condition was given only for the comparison. And depth of measured temperature was specified as 5 mm on the infrared image/TMM which was equal to one of thermo couple embedded in TTO. Next, the depth of maximum temperature was evaluated on the infrared image.
Results: The mean value of measured temperature rise for 3 minute’s radiation/heat conduction were 2.2 degree Celsius for infrared image/TMM and 2.1 degree Celsius for TTO, respectively. The mean depth of maximum temperature was approximately 1 mm with standard deviation of 0.3 mm. It was close to the surface of TMM.
Conclusions: The method of infrared image with TMM was useful for measuring the temperature developed by radiation and heat conduction. It was one of the reasonable approach for finding the position of maximum temperature in the TMM since infrared image provided the map of temperature distribution.