DURHAM, N.C. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- A device developed to scan computer circuit boards for defects is now being used to detect early signs of arthritis.

New technology gives Tina Hight a chance to see something a normal X-ray can't. Using thermal imaging, researchers can tell if she has early signs of arthritis in her hands. The thermal scanner detects temperature differences. Inflamed joints are warmer -- the first sign of arthritis.

"Mostly we rely upon X-rays, which are an indicator of what happens in the bone or around the cartilage, but we know earlier on you have changes in the cartilage and inflammation going on that are not visible to X-ray," says Virginia Byers Kraus, M.D., a rheumatologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

The thermal scanner is sensitive enough to detect differences of a tenth of a degree in temperature.

Dr. Byers Kraus tells Ivanhoe, "The hope is that if you can identify it earlier, then you'd have a much easier chance of treating it and preventing those late-stage X-ray changes."

Hight already has arthritis in her knees, so she knows the impact the disease can have. She hopes this new scanner technology will help patients get treatment sooner. "Anything to do with research that can help people in the future -- I'm all for it," she says.

"It's very exciting," says Dr. Byers Kraus, "and I think the prospect for identifying early and then treating early is going to be very valuable as new methodologies for treating this disease come along."

Researchers say thermal scanning for arthritis could become commonplace within five years. They also say thermal technology could also help evaluate the effectiveness of arthritis treatments.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Patient Referral Number
Duke University Medical Center
(888) ASK-DUKE