How can thermal imaging cameras be effectively used for body temperature detection?

The global pandemic of the new* virus continues, and more and more companies are looking for ways to continue or resume normal business operations while greatly reducing the negative impact of the coronavirus on their employees and customers, or preventing the virus from spreading to a wider population In the spread. Since the beginning of the pandemic, thermal imaging cameras have been proposed as a solution for screening individuals for elevated body temperature. However, this technology has its disadvantages and there are regulatory issues.

Therefore, the topic of Qianjia.com's expert panel roundtable this week: How can thermal imaging cameras be effectively used for fever detection to screen for infectious diseases?

What we have seen in the UK and the EU is a wild west scenario where thermal imaging systems are bought and sold in an unregulated market, and some very false claims are made. In fact, in the rush to find "solutions", published studies on the use of these systems have been largely ignored. Because of the need to obtain accurate readings and the many variables that affect the measurement, the camera must be very accurate to be useful and must be installed in a way that makes it reliable.

The problem is that the error is large, which may allow some people with fever to enter an environment where the virus can be transmitted. Similarly, any false positives require a second test, which increases the number of people in line and causes more interference. For companies, my advice is that unless you are willing to pay for a high-end, accurate system and use it correctly, you shouldn’t worry about an (expensive and immature) system at all.

Thermal imaging cameras that can read skin temperature within a high-precision range can detect elevated human body temperatures. When using this technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, the installation environment is critical to ensure accuracy and efficiency. The thermal imager is designed as a non-contact measuring device used only indoors, and the time for entering the individual to be monitored from the outside should be provided to adapt to the indoor temperature to improve accuracy.

Many thermal systems recommend using a calibration device that can maintain a constant temperature as a reference point for the thermal imager. Although the ambient temperature and humidity change throughout the day, the accuracy can still be improved. The camera’s field of view should not include reflective surfaces, direct sunlight, strong backlights, or items such as heaters, microwave ovens, and high-power lamps. All these steps are by no means an exhaustive list of all measures. The most important thing is to follow the FDA's overview of thermal imaging systems and COVID-19 released in May 2020, and use auxiliary methods such as NCIT or clinical-grade contact thermometers to confirm the detected high temperatures.

Despite the relaxation of blockade restrictions, there is still a risk of operation interruption due to the spread of infection and disease. Inspections in public places and building entrances will soon become the new normal. By providing a relatively fast and easy-to-implement first-line screening method while maintaining appropriate social distancing guidelines, thermal imaging can play a key technical role in health and safety programs.

We have seen exponential demand growth in various industries, especially large organizations and industries with critical infrastructure, who want to use this technology as part of their preventive measures to prevent the further spread of the virus. Unlike most COVID-19 symptoms, skin temperature can be checked and verified objectively-although additional medical tests are always recommended before making a diagnosis.

FLIR’s FDA-registered thermal imaging cameras are providing support to companies, governments, and the public to help them quickly and safely recover and maintain their normal state by recognizing elevated skin temperatures, which will help prevent or minimize potential Disease outbreak.

Thermal imaging cameras should not be implemented only as a subconscious reaction. They are not a solution to prevent COVID-19 and have flaws. For example, a person with a disease may not have abnormal body temperature, so thermal imaging alone cannot prevent the spread of the virus.

In addition, they are not always accurate. Human body temperature will fluctuate, and wrong results may lead to unnecessary panic and potential self-isolation, resulting in more consequences. For those who are considering using thermal imaging cameras, my question is, what problem do you want to solve and how do they meet this need? If you have a solid business case, do research to understand how well they integrate with existing technologies and processes. When operating independently, the thermal imager is just another system for employee management. Only when properly combined with existing systems and processes can they enhance and simplify facility management and operations.

First of all, thermal imaging cameras should not be used alone or primarily to diagnose or rule out fever or infectious diseases. These cameras are designed to detect individuals with elevated skin temperature (EST), so that they can efficiently perform quick and safe initial inspections in public places. Compared with traditional temperature measurement, this method is safer, faster and smarter. And it is "non-contact", so the risk of infection is also low.

In order to screen ESTs effectively, two key aspects need to be considered. One is the camera itself, and the other is the installation and environment of the camera. Thermal imaging cameras combined with AI technology can more effectively detect the surface temperature of human skin and reduce false alarms from other heat sources. In addition, please be aware that there are many other factors that affect the accuracy and effectiveness of the thermal imager, such as test speed, time, measurement distance, angle, parameter configuration and warm-up time. They are required to be used in a stable indoor environment without wind, and the ambient temperature should be consistent.

With the gradual slowdown of lockdown measures, it is essential to protect the safety of the workforce, and the key way to achieve this goal is to adopt high temperature screening solutions. These tools use thermal imaging cameras and optical cameras to analyze body temperature and carefully warn the operator when the person being screened exceeds a set temperature threshold. With this technology, it is possible to reduce the contact of potentially infected individuals with others, thereby greatly reducing the risk of local blockade and providing a safer working environment.

However, it is important to note that not all solutions are the same. Factors such as detection accuracy, field of view, and the number of people that can be screened at the same time must consider the flexibility and connectivity of the setup. With the overall connection, a locally secure end-to-end solution can be linked to a centralized command and control center, or it can be linked remotely to any connected device. This flexibility will support the installation of cameras in multiple locations and the ability to stream real-time video to a single surveillance system, which is a more efficient process. The alarm can then be viewed locally or remotely from any connected device, thereby providing an early warning to the operator.

Dedicated thermal imaging solutions that comply with appropriate regulations (such as obtaining FDA registration) can be used in controlled entrance areas of buildings as part of a company's efforts to obtain COVID-19 safety. These elevated skin temperature (EST) screening solutions can indicate elevated temperatures in real time, and elevated temperatures are usually symptoms of infection. If the measured temperature exceeds the average value, the system will warn the operator and take relevant measures to ensure that the individual no longer interacts with other healthy people.

However, these solutions are only truly effective when they are properly planned, deployed, and operated in accordance with appropriate policies, procedures, and compliance requirements (such as GDPR). This is why it is important to hire experts in the field of EST screening. However, when all these measures are correctly implemented and used as part of a layered holistic approach, combined with other measures, the spread of COVID-19 can be minimized and further mitigated.

Thermal imaging systems are an important part of our broader strategy to create a safer and healthier environment when we reopen our country. When developed in accordance with FDA guidelines and used as designed, thermal scanning products can quickly provide a preliminary assessment of human body temperature while maintaining social distancing regulations. In order to provide a safer environment for businesses and other gathering places, thermal imaging technology can detect high temperatures associated with potential patients.

In addition, these systems are not as easily deceived as solutions based on pyrometer information. It is important to note that temperature screening products alone cannot diagnose or rule out the diagnosis of COVID-19 or any other disease or condition. However, if used properly, they can quickly and effectively provide initial temperature assessments for companies and institutions seeking routine health checks recommended by the CDC.

to sum up

Thermal imaging cameras can be used as a tool to detect fever during a global pandemic, but any technology used for this purpose is full of conditions and warnings. Importantly, as pointed out by our expert team members, the way the camera system is configured will cause the temperature readings to be accurate and the negative effects of incorrect readings are obvious and may even be fatal.

FDA guidelines limit how cameras can be used, not to mention other regulations/government agencies (such as CDC) guidelines. One of our team members compared the market with the "Wild West Scenario". Almost all team members know how customers should enter the market, that is, when using thermal imaging temperature screening solutions, you must be considerate.