Non-contact Infrared Thermometers Research Articles

Assessment of preferable site for temperature measurement using non contact infra-red temperature among pediatric patients.

Accurate temperature measurement with little or no discomfort that is safe, without risk of hospital-acquired infections or perforations, is the preferred choice of medical professionals in pediatric settings. The objective was to discover the preferable site for body temperature measurement using non-contact infra-red thermometer (NCIT) among pediatric patients. NCIT measurement at mid forehead (F), right temporal region (T), right side of neck- over-carotid artery area (N), jugular notch (J), sternum (S), umbilical region and sublingual region (U) were compared with digital axillary temperature (DAT) in a single attempt in 500 patients, aged between 2 to 5 years with fever. Data was analyzed using Pearson's correlation, paired T-test and Bland-Altman plot to assess the correlation and agreement between the DAT and NCIT sites. The mean temperature of NCIT-T (38.42 ± 0.64 °C) was more agreeable with DAT (38.42 ± 0.63 °C) compared to other body sites. The minimum mean bias of -0.00480 °C was noted for NCIT-F with 95% CI of -0.164-0.15; however, NCIT-F revealed many outliers as compared to NCIT-J. A strong positive correlation existed between DAT and NCIT sites (r value: 0.99-0.98). However, significant difference was found between DAT and NCIT-N, NCIT-F and NCIT-U (p value < 0.0001). NCIT-J is the most preferable choice for measuring body temperature and can be interchanged with DAT. It will help to deliver fast results with enhanced patient comfort due to its non-invasive nature.

Temporal artery and non-contact infra-red thermometers: is there sufficient evidence to support their use in secondary care?

Abstract&#x0D; Background and Objective&#x0D; Accurate measurement of body temperature is a key part of patient observations and can influence important decisions regarding tests, diagnosis and treatment. For routine measurements in hospitals, non-invasive thermometers such as tympanic infra-red ear thermometers are very widely used even though non-invasive thermometers are not as accurate as core thermometry. However, there are known issues regarding the accuracy of these thermometers due to user errors including dirty probe covers and not straightening the ear canal. We were therefore keen to understand if there was evidence to support the use of alternative non-tympanic, non-invasive thermometer that could be easily and widely deployed across Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.&#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Methods&#x0D; A search of the published literature via the NICE HDAS was undertaken to identify the evidence on the use of temporal artery (TAT) or non-contact infra-red forehead (NCIT) thermometers compared to a core body temperature thermometer in a clinical setting. The relevant literature was identified, appraised and summarised.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results&#x0D; 15 papers described the use of TAT but only 5 reported results that were considered within clinically acceptable limits of which 2 included febrile patients. Nine of the 10 studies where TAT was considered not to be within acceptable limits included febrile patients. For the NCIT, 3 studies were identified but only 1 reported results within acceptable limits and this did not include febrile patients.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; A review of the literature for both TAT and NCIT has indicated that neither is currently suitable as a replacement for tympanic IR ear thermometers in clinical practice. In particular, the evidence suggests that they are not acceptable methods for detecting temperatures outside the normothermic range and do not detect fever accurately. In addition, the potential for user error with TAT is considered unacceptable.

Investigating the use of non-contact infrared thermometers in cats and dogs

Background: Non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) provide a quick, hands off method of monitoring patients' body temperature. There are now animal specific NCIT devices available, however evidence for their use is currently lacking. Aims: To evaluate the accuracy of two animal NCIT devices when compared with rectal temperature in anaesthetised cats, and ear temperatures in exercising dogs. Methods: 27 cats undergoing routine neutering under anaesthetic, and 30 dogs competing in cross country races were recruited to the study. Ocular surface temperature was measured with each of the NCIT devices and compared with rectal temperature (in cats) or ear temperature (in dogs). Findings: Less than a third of the readings from both NCIT devices reported temperatures within 0.5°C of rectal temperature (in cats) and ear temperature (in dogs). Conclusion: The animal specific NCIT devices do not accurately report body temperature in cats or dogs, so their use in clinical situations cannot be recommended.

Comparison of non-contact infrared skin thermometers

Non-contact infra-red skin thermometers (NCITs) are becoming more prevalent for use in medical diagnostics. Not only are they used as an alternative means of estimating core body temperature but also to assess the diabetic foot for signs of inflammation prior to ulceration. Previous investigations have compared the performance of NCITs in a clinical setting against other gold standard methods. However, there have been no previous investigations comparing the performance of NCITs in assessing temperature measurement capability traceable to the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90). A metrological assessment of nine common NCITs was carried out over the temperature range of 15–45 °C using the National Physical Laboratory’s blackbody reference sources to identify their accuracy, repeatability, size-of-source and distance effects. The results are concerning in that five of the NCITs fell far outside the accuracy range stated by their manufacturers as well as the medical standard to which the NCITs are supposed to adhere. Furthermore, a 6 °C step change in measurement error over the temperature range of interest for the diabetic foot was found for one NCIT. These results have implications for all clinicians using NCITs for temperature measurement and demonstrate the need for traceable calibration to ITS-90.

Performance of a non-contact infrared thermometer in healthy newborns

ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of a non-contact infrared thermometer (NCIT) in comparison with digital axillary thermometer (DAT) and infrared tympanic thermometers (ITT) in a population of healthy at term and...

Measurement of body temperature in 300 dogs with a novel noncontact infrared thermometer on the cornea in comparison to a standard rectal digital thermometer.

To assess the accuracy of obtaining body temperatures in dogs with a noncontact infrared thermometer (NCIT) on the cornea compared with a rectal digital thermometer (RDT). Prospective single center study. University teaching hospital. Three hundred dogs presented with low, normal, or high body temperatures. Three body temperature readings were measured by an RDT and by an NCIT on the cornea of the left eye by 2 investigators (experienced and inexperienced). Results obtained by the 2 methods were compared. Median body temperature measured by the experienced investigator with the RDT and the NCIT were 38.3°C (range 35.5°C-41.1°C; 95% CI: 38.2-38.4°C) and 37.7°C (35.9°C-40.1°C; 95% CI: 37.7°C-37.9°C), respectively. Measurement of RDT as well as of NCIT correlated well between both investigators (rRDT = 0.94; rNCIT = 0.82; respectively, P < 0.001 for both methods). Mean RDT and NCIT-temperature correlated poorly (r = 0.43; P < 0.001) when taken by the experienced investigator and even less by the nonexperienced investigator (r = 0.38; P < 0.001). Repeatability of the NCIT revealed an unsatisfactory value (0.24°C) compared to RDT measurement (0.12°C). Agreement between both devices in measuring low, normal, and high values, calculated by Cohens-Kappa, was unsatisfactory (к = 0.201; P < 0.001). Calculating the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the best threshold for fever (defined as RDT temperature >39.0°C) showed an area under the curve of 0.76. Mean discomfort score was significantly lower using NCIT compared to RDT measurement (P < 0.001). There was poor agreement between body temperatures obtained by RDT and NCIT. The corneal NCIT measurement tends to underrecognize hypothermic and hyperthermic conditions. Although the use of the NCIT yields faster results and is significantly more comfortable for the dog than the RDT measurement, it cannot be recommended in dogs at this time.

Design of Non-contact Infra-Red Thermometer Based on the Sensor of MLX90614

Design of Non-contact Infra-Red Thermometer Based on the Sensor of MLX90614

Design of Non-contact Infra-Red Thermometer Based on the Sensor of MLX90614

Liquid identification becomes more and more important in the safety inspection at the subway, airport, and railway. Non-contact liquid security identification is the best way, because it can avoid the contamination of the liquids and the injuries caused by some corrosive and toxic liquids. The paper designed the non-contact Infra-Red thermometer based on the sensor of MLX90614 and the most favored microprocessor STM32F107 for the non-contact liquid security identification system. Completed the hardware circuit, made the PCB plate, programmed the software with Keil C and de- bugged by Keil uVision4 MDK V4.22. Then, studied the effects by measuring the temperature differences using bottles with various shapes, materials, sizes and wall thickness at different distances. The system meets the requirements of high reliability, low costs, low power consumption, real time response and the demands of the non-contact liquid security iden- tification system.

Design of Non-Contact Infra-Red Thermometer Based on the Sensor of MLX90614

Design of Non-Contact Infra-Red Thermometer Based on the Sensor of MLX90614

Non-contact infrared thermometers for measuring temperature in children: primary care diagnostic technology update.

Temperature is an important vital sign for assessing acutely unwell children, and is measured frequently in primary care. However, measuring temperature accurately can be challenging. Oral and rectal thermometers are invasive and poorly tolerated, while axillary thermometers require parents or healthcare professionals to undress the child and hold the thermometer in the axilla for 30 seconds or longer. Infrared tympanic thermometers are easier to use, but can be inaccurate due to ear wax or insufficient straightening of the ear canal. Non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) are designed to measure temperature rapidly and non-invasively with negligible cross-infection risk. This update compares the accuracy and utility of NCITs with conventional thermometers in children. #### Clinical Question What is the accuracy and utility of non-contact infrared thermometers compared to conventional thermometers in children? Table 1 summarises characteristics of a range of NCITs. Based on a search conducted in December 2013, over 20 models are available for use in community and/or healthcare settings. The Thermofocus and Syner-Med VeraTemp thermometers are FDA approved and CE marked. This report found six studies comparing three NCIT devices (Standard ST 88121, Thermofocus 08002,3 and Thermofocus 015004–6) to conventional thermometers in children. View this table: Table 1. Characteristics of non-contact infrared thermometers NCITs may be used to measure temperature in children presenting with acute illness in primary …

A Comparative Study of Non-contact Infrared and Digital Rectal Thermometer Measurements of Body Temperature in the Horse

Equine body temperature taken with a non-contact infrared thermometer (NCIT) does not correlate well with the equine body temperature taken with a digital rectal thermometer (DRT), when it comes to absolute temperatures. There is significant variation in body temperature readings depending on the site at which the temperature was taken. NCIT may still may have, in that it does seem to be able to reliably detect when temperatures are more than that which is clinically normal, and does not seem to give falselyelevated readings in clinically normal horses. In horses that resent having their temperatures taken rectally, the NCIT seems to offer the equine clinician a quick and easy way to at least determine whether the horse's temperature is at or more than normal, even if it does not agree with DRT results.

International travels and fever screening during epidemics: a literature review on the effectiveness and potential use of non-contact infrared thermometers

Several countries plan to introduce non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) at international airports in order to detect febrile passengers, thus to delay the introduction of a novel influenza strain. We reviewed the existing studies on fever screening by NCIT to estimate their efficacy under the hypothesis of pandemic influenza. Three Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or dengue fever interventions in airports were excluded because of insufficient information. Six fever screening studies in other gathering areas, mainly hospitals, were included (N= 176 to 72,327 persons; fever prevalence= 1.2% to 16.9%). Sensitivity varied from 4.0% to 89.6%, specificity from 75.4% to 99.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) from 0.9% to 76.0% and negative predictive value (NPV) from 86.1% to 99.7%. When we fixed fever prevalence at 1% in all studies to allow comparisons, the derived PPV varied from 3.5% to 65.4% and NPV was >or=99%. The low PPV suggests limited efficacy of NCIT to detect symptomatic passengers at the early stages of a pandemic influenza, when fever prevalence among passengers would be =or<1%. External factors can also impair the screening strategy: passengers can hide their symptoms or cross borders before symptoms occur. These limits should be considered when setting up border control measures to delay the pandemic progression.

Estimation of Contact Tympanic Membrane Temperature With a Noncontact Infrared Thermometer

Study objective: To investigate the agreement between contact tympanic membrane (TM) and noncontact infrared ear thermometers in children. Methods: Twenty-three children (ages .5 to 10 years) undergoing elective tympanostomy tube placement were studied. An assistant used standard technique to record temperature with an infrared ear thermometer before and after TM temperature was obtained with a bead thermistor placed against the anterior-inferior quadrant of the TM. Results: Mean temperatures were not significantly different: initial IR ear, 36.66°±.33° C; TM, 36.71°±.42° C; final infrared ear, 36.57°±.33° C. The mean bias (difference between initial individual IR ear and TM temperatures) of −.05°±.29° C and the 95% limits of agreement of +.53° to −.63° C indicate an acceptable confidence (error range within 3.2% of average TM temperature) for use of the initial infrared ear temperature as an estimate of TM temperature. Conclusion: The IR ear thermometer provides an accurate estimate of TM temperature in healthy children and may accurately reflect core body temperature. [Terndrup TE, Crofton DJ, Mortelliti AJ, Kelley R, Rajk J: Estimation of contact tympanic membrane temperature with a noncontact infrared thermometer. Ann Emerg Med August 1997;30:171-175.]