Thermal Systems Aid Detection of People with SARS

A complete system for monitoring skin/body temperatures includes an infra-red imager and analysis software and is designed to screen people and detect those with a fever in airports and other places as they walk by or stand in line.

The system, called ThermaSense, images the facial area in real-time and automatically self-calibrates to ensure accurate skin/body temperature readings. An individual at the monitoring station with a temperature reading outside a pre-set value will trigger an alarm and alert the operator of the abnormal condition. Many airlines today have regulations against carrying passengers with a body temperature 99.5o C or above in order to help stop the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The system was developed by Indigo Systems Corp. (Goleta, CA, USA) and WinSoft Corp. (Santa Ana, CA, USA).

In a similar development, the Ministry of Health in Singapore was seeking a better way to screen incoming airline passengers for SARS in early April. Eventually, the Singapore Armed Forces provided the agency with 50 thermal imaging scanners that had been designed to help weapons systems locate unseen targets. Engineers worked with Singapore Technologies Electronics, the manufacturer, to modify the devices so they could be used as fever monitors.

When an individual walks by the station, an infra-red camera "sees” the warmth of the object relative to ambient temperature and turns that information into a video image of the individual. Software displays anything cooler than 93.2o C as black. Skin in the mid-90s registers as lime green, turning to yellow as it gets warmer. Skin registering 99.5o C or above glows red in the image. The system is highly sensitive. Singapore now has 35 of the devices, which are mounted on trolleys and monitor passengers at the airport and ferry terminals.




Related Links:
Indigo Systems
WinSoft
Singapore Technologies