The Global Infrared Thermometers Market Report 2020 revealed that infrared thermometer is the most demanded medical product during COVID-19 with its global market size projected to reach US$1.4 billion by 2027. This equipment is key to fever detection, the telltale symptom of COVID-19. However, not all are equally capable of temperature measurement.
With the recent spike in unlinked community cases in Singapore, it is time to relook at the infrared thermometer you have in hand and decide if you need another. Bryan Patmon, the founder of T-SMART, shares 8 things to look out for when purchasing an infrared thermometer for human body temperature measurement.
- Accuracy
Temperature readings should be extremely precise, especially when used for medical purposes. As such, look for an infrared thermometer with the accuracy of +/- 0.2 Degree Celsius or better. This means that the temperature shown on the thermometer’s screen will only be slightly (0.2 Degree Celsius) lower or higher than your actual core body temperature. - Temperature range
Take note of the temperature range and resolution for the thermometer – it should be stated on the packaging or user manual. A standard Fresnel lens thermometer would be ideal for the human body temperature range. Do not go for a no-lens thermometer (which can only perform reliably when reading cold temperatures) or a Mica lens thermometer (which is only suitable for extreme temperatures). - Read speed
Read speed refers to the amount of time a thermometer takes to deliver an accurate reading after the user has initiated the measurement. Choose an instant-read thermometer where the temperature can be measured in less than a few seconds. This is especially important when taking the temperature of fidgety children or people with a fast-paced lifestyle. - Recall/memory function
An infrared thermometer that can store the last few temperature measurements makes it easy to keep track of a fever progression. An added bonus would be for the device to be compatible with recording software that can reveal the user’s average temperature over time. Knowing the user’s average temperature helps to identify significant fluctuations in temperature, which can signal potential illnesses. - Design
Aesthetics may be important to some, but a rugged design is non-negotiable. For human body temperature monitoring, a Fresnal lens thermometer made out of durable polymer would be sufficient to ensure the device’s longevity. - Warranty
Purchase an infrared thermometer from a legitimate manufacturer that offers a warranty. Hardware problems can unexpectedly occur, and you will then need to claim a warranty for repair or replacement. It is always better to be safe than sorry. - Emissivity
Emissivity is the term used to describe how much-infrared energy a thermometer can put out at a time. A thermometer’s emissivity affects its ability to read different materials. The correct emissivity for human body surface temperature measurements is 0.98. Check that your thermometer has the right emissivity. - Value
Pick a thermometer by its value offered and not by its price tag. Ensure that the product you choose exemplifies a professional piece of medical equipment and that it is available at the right value price for its functions.
Trace-Temp1 is an infrared thermometer that checks all the boxes for human temperature measurement. It is available for purchase on the T-SMART website (www.tsmartsystems.com).
- Industry-leading accuracy of better than 0.2 Degree Celsius
- Made for human body temperature measurement
- Fast read speed of 2 seconds
- On-device memory storage
- Works with Trace-TempAI app to monitor, define and track health trends and outline the characteristics
- Rugged design with good ergonomics
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
- The emissivity of 0.98 for the human body
- Value for money
.jpg){kind=tracking}
