Non-Contact Thermometer, Research Proposal Example

Temperature measurement is very important in the assessment of children suffering from different illnesses. The available thermometers in the market today include chemical thermometers, electronic contact thermometers, and infrared thermometers (Jones, 2010). The outdated mercury-in-glass thermometers are rarely used in the medical field. Non-contact infrared thermometers are preferred over contact thermometers due to their speed, accuracy, and reliability in measurement of temperature.

Non-contact thermometers measure temperature quickly providing readings within a very short time. Their mode of operation is non-invasive hence less distress is caused to children during temperature measurement. Their use eliminates the risk of infection from the thermometer to the child since there is no body surface contact involved. The need for use of disposable probe covers or disinfecting the non-contact thermometer is eliminated. Non-contact thermometers have enabled measurement of temperature over various parts of the body such as the umbilicus, axilla, and neck (Jones, 2010).

The non-contact infrared thermometers operate using a light-emitting-diode system which emits beams that converge at a single spot on the body surface at the desired distance. The internal software of the thermometer accounts for the room temperature and makes a correction to output a temperature value. Experiments carried out to determine the reliability of non-contact thermometers show that temperature readings from non-contact thermometers and mercury-in-glass axillary, rectal, and oral thermometry strongly correlate (Jones, 2010). This means that the temperature values attained from non-contact thermometers are as reliable as those attained by mercury-in-glass thermometers. The difference is that non-contact thermometers are cheaper, faster, and more accurate in delivering temperature readings.

Health care centres should adopt the use of non-contact infrared thermometers in measuring temperature in children due to their ability to ease work and give accurate readings. Temperature of body parts such as the ear is impossible to obtain using the conventional contact thermometers. Non-contact thermometers have revolutionized temperature measurement through improved reliability and speed. Further research should be carried out to improve the available non-contact thermometers.

References

Jones, D. P. (2010). Biomedical Sensors. New York: Momentum Press.