Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature variations over selected regions of living tissue is in the form of a low pressure supported pillow structure including a first wall portion of temperature responsive material and a second wall portion of transparent material to permit viewing of the temperature responsive material. The wall portions comprise a fluid chamber including an inflation valve to permit inflating the pillow structure when gaseous fluids are used.The method of using the pillow structure comprises pressing the temperature responsive film into conformity with the tissue, or portion of other object to be scanned, and viewing the temperature response through the clear wall portion.The flexible film is preferably also elastic and carries liquid crystals on its inner surface to give it a temperature responsive characteristic.

Abstract: A first elastic film containing cholesteric liquid crystals and a second elastic protective film having different elasticities are attached to each other solely along the periphery of the two sheets. Differential air pressure applied across the dual film structure causes it to stretch and conform to the body tissues whose temperature variations are being studied. The liquid crystal containing film and the protective film stretch and adjust independently of one another, in response to differential pressure, to squeeze out any air in the space between the two sheets and to avoid puckering or other distortions. The protective film is in contact with the tissue being investigated and provides a barrier to protect the liquid crystals from contamination yet conveys the underlying temperature accurately to the liquid crystals.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature variations over selected regions of living tissue. The invention relates to the apparatus and to the method of detecting said temperature variations for aid in the early detection of malignant tissue in the breasts. The invention provides for the use of liquid crystals encapsulated between elastic flexible sheets which represent a composite film. The crystals are responsive to changes in temperature of said tissue to display a color pattern on said film representative of said temperature variations. The film conforms to the contour of the tissue to which it is applied, without materially deforming said tissue, by evacuating air from between said film and said tissue. The color pattern produced on said film is observed and is recorded photographically to obtain a thermogram of said temperature variations.

Abstract: An opaque vinyl envelope having facing polished inner surfaces and an open edge into which an intensifier screen and X-ray film are inserted. The other three edges are completely sealed except for a valve at one edge. Reinforcing strips are attached along the open edge. The three sealed edges of the envelope are heat sealed without pressure to eliminate an internal bead and minimize leakage along the bead when the open edge is closed and the envelope evacuated. An insert that has a relatively rough surface or is pourous assures full evacuation.

Abstract: An opaque vinyl envelope having facing polished inner surfaces and an open edge into which an intensifier screen and X-ray film are inserted. The other three edges are completely sealed except for a valve at one edge. Reinforcing strips are attached along the open edge. The three sealed edges of the envelope are heat sealed without pressure to eliminate an internal bead and minimize leakage along the bead when the open edge is closed and the envelope evacuated. An insert that has a relatively rough surface or is pourous assures full evacuation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature variations over selected regions of living tissue. The invention relates to the apparatus and to the method of detecting said temperature variations for aid in the early detection of malignant tissue in the breasts. The invention provides for the use of liquid crystals encapsulated between elastic flexible sheets which represent a composite film. The crystals are responsive to changes in temperature of said tissue to display a color pattern on said film representative of said temperature variations. The film conforms to the contour of the tissue to which it is applied, without materially deforming said tissue, by evacuating air from between said film and said tissue. The color pattern produced on said film is observed and is recorded photographically to obtain a thermogram of said temperature variations.