Perform the Scan

All scans are conducted from their respective scan screens, which allow you to control the instrument and see the data that is being collected in real time.

There are a few things to keep in mind when performing a rolling scan of the full spine:

• Make sure that the sensors do not make contact with the skin during the scan. The sensors are embedded in the wheel blocks and detect radiant, not contact heat from the skin.
• The angle of collection should be as close to 90 degrees as possible throughout the scan. With scoliotic patients, follow the tilted shape of the spine.
• The system will show “collecting” or “stable” on both left and right sensors. When both sensors are stable a small beep will alert the examiner to pull the trigger. This can be visually prompted as well (See Fig. 1).
• Your scan speed is monitored and you will be alerted if you need to adjust your scanning pace.
• On the onboard screen version, a R and L bar is displayed on the instrument to monitor the speed. It changes from green to yellow and then red to alert the examiner to stay within the green
• You can follow the thermal line on the scanning screen as the data is collected up to C2.
• Position the neuroTHERMAL at S1, perpendicular to the spine. Wait for prompt to “begin test”.
• Roll the scanner slowly up the spine, following the contours of the spine ensuring that the scanner remain perpendicular to all segments and regions.
• Pull the trigger one time at the locations when prompted. After S1 there will be prompts at L1, T1 and C2, unless you have chosen to remove the clicks at L1 and T1.
• At the prompt “C1 Left” position the LEFT sensor at the fossa region. Minimize any hair interruption in this scanning region. Pull trigger once when sensor is positioned correctly. You will be asked to verify your reading to ensure the temperature is in an acceptable range. You may redo the segment or continue scanning (Fig. 2).
• The prompt “C1 Right” will occur after “C1 Left”. Position the RIGHT sensor over the right fossa region. Minimize any hair interruption in this scanning region. Pull trigger once when sensor is positioned correctly. You will be asked to verify your reading to ensure the temperature is in an acceptable range. You may redo the segment or continue scanning (Fig. 2).
• On the onscreen version, a tracking line is displayed as the scan is rolled from S1 upward. The spinal segments S1, L1,T1,C2 and C1 are visible on the onboard screen as the trigger is pulled. The tracking line is a zoom version and can be used to observe shifts and patterns during the scanning process. C1 scanning is completed in the same sequence as the non-screen version of the instrument

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

There are a few things to keep in mind when performing a rolling scan of the cervical spine:

• When scanning the cervical spine, the examiner must consider reducing the impact of scanning through the hairline. When prepping the patients with longer hair consider using a disposable hair elastic.
• The eyebrows are especially useful at lifting the hair in the sub occipital region.
• To perform a rolling scan of the cervical spine, position the neuroTHERMAL at any level from T2 upwards, remaining perpendicular to the spine. Wait for prompt to “begin test”. Starting the scan at T2 or above will initiate a cervical scan view. (See Fig. 1).
• Roll the scanner slowly up the spine, following the contours of the spine ensuring that the scanner remain perpendicular to all segments and regions.
• Pull the trigger one time at the locations when prompted. After T1 there will be a prompt at C2.
• At the prompt “C1 Left” position the LEFT sensor at the fossa region. Minimize any hair interruption in this scanning region. Pull trigger once when sensor is positioned correctly. You will be asked to verify your reading to ensure the temperature is in an acceptable range. You may redo the segment or continue scanning (Fig. 2).
• The prompt “C1 Right” will occur after “C1 Left”. Position the RIGHT sensor over the right fossa region. Minimize any hair interruption in this scanning region. Pull trigger once when sensor is positioned correctly. You will be asked to verify your reading to ensure the temperature is in an acceptable range. You may redo the segment or continue scanning (Fig. 2).
• Roll the scanner slowly up the spine, following the contours of the spine ensuring that the scanner remain perpendicular to all segments and regions.
• Pull the trigger one time at the locations when prompted. After S1 there will be prompts at L1, T1 and C2, unless you have chosen to remove the clicks at L1 and T1.
• At the prompt “C1 Left” position the LEFT sensor at the fossa region. Minimize any hair interruption in this scanning region. Pull trigger once when sensor is positioned correctly. You will be asked to verify your reading to ensure the temperature is in an acceptable range. You may redo the segment or continue scanning (Fig. 2).
• The prompt “C1 Right” will occur after “C1 Left”. Position the RIGHT sensor over the right fossa region. Minimize any hair interruption in this scanning region. Pull trigger once when sensor is positioned correctly. You will be asked to verify your reading to ensure the temperature is in an acceptable range. You may redo the segment or continue scanning (Fig. 2).
• On the onscreen version, a tracking line is displayed as the scan is rolled from T1 upward. The spinal segments T1, C2 and C1 are visible on the onboard screen as the trigger is pulled. The tracking line is a zoom version and can be used to observe shifts and patterns during the scanning process. C1 scanning is completed in the same sequence as the non-screen version of the instrument.

Fig.3

Fig. 2

There are a few things to keep in mind when performing a segmental scan:

• Place the sensors at the prompted level. DO NOT touch the skin with the sensor. It detects radiant heat energy, not contact heat energy. Use the eyebrows as your distance guide.
• The angle of collection should be as close to 90 degrees as possible throughout the scan.
• The system will show “collecting” or “stable” on both left and right sensors.
• The onboard screen version profiles the segment being scanned. A Left and Right green and red indicator show the signal stability. Two green indicators show bilateral stability and indicate when to pull the trigger. A tracking line also is used to monitor the signal stability and remains horizontal and parallel when the signals are stable.
• The differential in temperature between the Left and Right sensors is published to the warmer of the two sides.
• At any segment, a “Redo Segment” button can be pressed on the iPad screen which will prompt the examiner to re-scan the previous segment.