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Medical infra-red thermography: Principles and practice
MEDICAL INFRA-RED THERMOGRAPHY: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE R.E. Woodrough Cam bridge
University Press, 1982,
X25.00;
p/b Pg.95
is a trend, for example, to use thermography as part of a vascular laboratory. This important concept is missing and no attempt has been made to analyse the relative importance of the various clinical indications for thermography, the list of which is incomplete. No attempt is made to correlate the basic pathology with the thermographic findings, an understanding of which is surely necessary in producing an image which is useful clinically.
To the uninitiated there is often a certain degree of mystique concerning untried or new methodology. So it seems to be with regard to thermography, which though it has been around for some years, has only recently been used in other than the narrow field of breast screening. The latter, it now transpires is probably the least important indication for the use of this thermological method, the disappointing results of which could well be responsible for the limited use of THG in this country. However, as was shown by the number of contributions to the recent “Thermological Congress” in Bath the situation here is atypical and the use of medical thermography is not only becoming more clearly defined but is increasing internationally.
The second and greater part of the book attempts to produce in one volume much of the information and theory regarding the physical aspects of thermography to be found in larger textbooks. Much of this is complex and rushes the reader headlong into the difficult mathematics of theoretical physics. This coupled with the pedantic advice to avoid tripping over cables on the laboratory floor makes it difficult to know the author’s expected readership.
Dr. Woodrough’s book would seem a timely publication and its purpose, stated on the first page, “to produce a good thermogram”, refreshing. It is the seventh in the series “Techniques of Measurement in Medicine”. The book is divided into two sections. The first indicates some clinical applications and the second is a discussion of physical principles associated with thermographic systems. Such wide dimensions would, it seems of necessity, entail a large bibliography, so it was with surprise that one found that 25 references only were listed. Useful clinical methods either supplement or complement other means of investigation or provide information which is not otherwise available. There
FINITE ELEMENTS
One is left with the uneasy feeling that in attempting to write a comprehensive text the author has tried to be all things to all men. In so doing he may have fallen short of his laudable purpose - to instruct the reader how to produce a good thermogram. From the clinical standpoint the book has nothing to recommend it. However it is probably worth a place on the library shelf as a survey of the principles of the physics associated with thermography.
E.D. Cooke
IN BIOMECHANICS
Edited by R.H. Gallagher, B.R. Simon, P.C Johnston and J.F. Goss John
Wiley 6’ Son, 1982
A’21.00
Body structures and components often have complex shapes, and are composed of materials which have complicated mechanical properties, being anisotropic, time dependent, and in many cases, non linear. The analysis of local stresses and strains in such complicated structures is extremely difficult, and this has led to interest in the application of finite element methods. In these techniques the structure is divided into a series of inter-related elements, which may retain many of the complex structural and mechanical features of original problem, and the stresses and strains computed numerically. This book contains 18 papers which
describe applications biomechanics.
of finite elements
in
The opening chapter, by G. Rab, discussed the difficulties of both biomechanical analysis, and of the collaboration between the engineer and the clinician. It can usefully be read by anyone engaged in such collaborative work, whether using finite elements or not. The next two chapters are short general reviews, and it is at once clear that this is not an introductory text. Considerable prior interest, and some knowledge, of finite element method is required of the reader.
J. Biomed. Eng. 1983, VoL 5, October
357
University Press, 1982,
X25.00;
p/b Pg.95
is a trend, for example, to use thermography as part of a vascular laboratory. This important concept is missing and no attempt has been made to analyse the relative importance of the various clinical indications for thermography, the list of which is incomplete. No attempt is made to correlate the basic pathology with the thermographic findings, an understanding of which is surely necessary in producing an image which is useful clinically.
To the uninitiated there is often a certain degree of mystique concerning untried or new methodology. So it seems to be with regard to thermography, which though it has been around for some years, has only recently been used in other than the narrow field of breast screening. The latter, it now transpires is probably the least important indication for the use of this thermological method, the disappointing results of which could well be responsible for the limited use of THG in this country. However, as was shown by the number of contributions to the recent “Thermological Congress” in Bath the situation here is atypical and the use of medical thermography is not only becoming more clearly defined but is increasing internationally.
The second and greater part of the book attempts to produce in one volume much of the information and theory regarding the physical aspects of thermography to be found in larger textbooks. Much of this is complex and rushes the reader headlong into the difficult mathematics of theoretical physics. This coupled with the pedantic advice to avoid tripping over cables on the laboratory floor makes it difficult to know the author’s expected readership.
Dr. Woodrough’s book would seem a timely publication and its purpose, stated on the first page, “to produce a good thermogram”, refreshing. It is the seventh in the series “Techniques of Measurement in Medicine”. The book is divided into two sections. The first indicates some clinical applications and the second is a discussion of physical principles associated with thermographic systems. Such wide dimensions would, it seems of necessity, entail a large bibliography, so it was with surprise that one found that 25 references only were listed. Useful clinical methods either supplement or complement other means of investigation or provide information which is not otherwise available. There
FINITE ELEMENTS
One is left with the uneasy feeling that in attempting to write a comprehensive text the author has tried to be all things to all men. In so doing he may have fallen short of his laudable purpose - to instruct the reader how to produce a good thermogram. From the clinical standpoint the book has nothing to recommend it. However it is probably worth a place on the library shelf as a survey of the principles of the physics associated with thermography.
E.D. Cooke
IN BIOMECHANICS
Edited by R.H. Gallagher, B.R. Simon, P.C Johnston and J.F. Goss John
Wiley 6’ Son, 1982
A’21.00
Body structures and components often have complex shapes, and are composed of materials which have complicated mechanical properties, being anisotropic, time dependent, and in many cases, non linear. The analysis of local stresses and strains in such complicated structures is extremely difficult, and this has led to interest in the application of finite element methods. In these techniques the structure is divided into a series of inter-related elements, which may retain many of the complex structural and mechanical features of original problem, and the stresses and strains computed numerically. This book contains 18 papers which
describe applications biomechanics.
of finite elements
in
The opening chapter, by G. Rab, discussed the difficulties of both biomechanical analysis, and of the collaboration between the engineer and the clinician. It can usefully be read by anyone engaged in such collaborative work, whether using finite elements or not. The next two chapters are short general reviews, and it is at once clear that this is not an introductory text. Considerable prior interest, and some knowledge, of finite element method is required of the reader.
J. Biomed. Eng. 1983, VoL 5, October
357