Predictive Maintenance Camera Proves A True Life-Saver
20th October 2009
Primarily, Peter Burns bought his FLIR i5 thermal imaging camera to conduct maintenance and safety checks on his boat and for possible man-overboard incidents at night. Little did he know however that the device would also prove vital in a medical emergency. Having retired as a detective from the police, Peter decided to take his young family for an extended boating holiday along the south coast. He had noticed a small, but angry, insect bite on his knee and this marked the beginning of what was to be a potentially, life-threatening infection.
The Burns family had set out from Dartmouth and were at sea when Peter’s leg started to swell and generate heat. Clearly something was significantly wrong so he decided to compare both legs with his FLIR i5. And what he saw was sufficient to make him head for port at Weymouth.
“The image really shocked me. I’m an ex-commando and don’t usually make a fuss but my leg was registering 40° all over, below the knee. And clearly the problem was travelling upwards,” Peter explained. “With my wife, 7 year old child and 7 month baby on board I couldn’t take any chances. I had to take notice as something was seriously wrong. So we made for Weymouth where I got a taxi to the local hospital. In all honesty I expected to be given some antibiotics and immediately discharged.”
The doctor however assessed Peter’s condition as critical and he was transferred at speed to Dorchester Hospital A&E. He continued, “I was in my shorts and t-shirt straight off the boat. I was assessed by a consultant, immediately admitted and then transferred to a trauma ward. With air bags around my legs, wired-up to monitors and with an intravenous drip, I was unable to let my wife know what was happening.” It wasn’t until the next morning that Peter was able to speak with her and to deliver the news that he was suffering from cellulitis.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the soft tissue beneath it that results in inflammation, swelling and pain. An insect bite is a common cause. Once the bacteria are under the skin, they start to produce substances that break down the body’s natural barriers that normally prevent bacteria from spreading into the deeper tissue. This enables infection to spread at an alarming rate.
The consultant, who had been told about Peter’s self-assessment using the FLIR i5, asked if he could see the camera and thermal evidence. “They were utterly amazed at the images I had taken and also interested in the data available and the potential uses for the equipment. They are now preparing a report on the incident and my use of thermal imaging for the British Medical Journal,” Peter explained. “In their opinion the camera saved my life.”
The FLIR i5 is not only the most advanced and affordable infrared camera in its class but also the most compact, lightweight and easy to use. It is fully automatic so all the user has to do is point and click to capture an image. Everything gives off heat to some degree and the FLIR i5 allows the heat differences to be seen with the naked eye. So it’s ideal for plumbers, electricians, builders and especially mariners with inflamed knees!
Needless to say Peter cannot praise the technology and the FLIR i5 enough. He originally bought it for several reasons. First and foremost he wanted to check the integrity of the boat’s hull and the operating efficiency of its engine and electrics. Peter continued, “A fire at sea is one of the most dangerous things that can happen. I confess I am a gadget man and with the affordable price of thermal imaging now I felt this was a technology that could significantly benefit and safeguard my family,” Peter continued. “I saw it as being particularly valuable in a potential man-over-board situation for investigating water ingress after a collision and in the event of fire. I also knew it would give me a sixth sense when visibility is poor.”
Peter is now recovering well. “I’m still on pills the size of which you would give a horse!” he added. “But I’m certainly here to tell the tale even though the time it is taking to deal with the infection clearly shows the seriousness of the situation. It all happened at such speed.” Peter is now certainly able to add to the FLIR i5’s list of predictive maintenance abilities, its proven value in first-aid.