FAQs
Why is the temperature measured by the temporal artery thermometer higher than those by other thermometers?
It is well known that temperature varies in different parts of the body. Therefore, the standard of fever that we have become accustomed to, such as armpit temperature, cannot be applied to body temperature measured elsewhere. The temperature difference recognized by...
Exergen thermometers are so popular in the United States, how did Exergen knock on the doors of American hospitals?
First of all, the advantages of thermometers such as accuracy, ease of use, fast, and reduced nurse workload are very popular among nurses. Many nurses don't let go after trying it. Secondly, in order to verify the accuracy of temporal artery thermometers, many...
Is it an American brand? What is your market share in the US?
Yes, and also the only brand designed and manufactured in the U.S. Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer has the largest market share in the US with a conservative estimation of over 65%. Almost every hospital in the US, including the top hospitals, the White House...
Use either ear thermometer or IR gun to take temperature for a few consecutive times, each time the reading is not the same. How about your temporal artery thermometer’s repeatability?
First of all, the international standard for infrared thermometer accuracy is ±0.2℃. Therefore, it is acceptable if the difference is within ±0.2℃. However, using Exergen temporal artery thermometer is highly reproducible if you follow the tips below. Some people can...
The IR gun also measures the forehead, why is it not accurate?
Comparing the temporal artery location figure we show earlier, the principle and characteristics of temperature measurement and some techniques introduced earlier, it’s not hard to know why the IR gun is inaccurate. First, the temporal aorta is located 2 mm beneath...
In addition to no external factors affecting accuracy, any other advantages of temporal artery thermometers over ear thermometers?
Temporal artery body temperature has a "prediction" capability over ear thermometers. Specifically, it knows body temperature about 60 minutes earlier than ear thermometers. Let's talk about a real case. Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the most prestigious hospital in...
What are the unique technologies in Exergen temporal artery thermometers that improve the accuracy of temperature measurement?
The following key "secrets" determine that the temporal artery thermometer is the most accurate, of the highest repeatability , and the easiest to use thermometer currently on the market: 1) It has selected the best location for human body...
First time I heard of the temporal artery. Where is the temporal artery?
The temporal artery is usually located vertically between the skull and the skin on both sides of the forehead above the eyebrows, and is about 2mm under the skin. It is connected to the aorta of the heart through the carotid artery and is the artery closest to the...
Temporal Artery Thermometer Consumer Information Center Model TAT-2000C
Frequently Asked Questions of Temporal Artery Thermometer Measurement
Why can you not trust feeling for a fever by touching the forehead?
Feeling for Fever. Touching the forehead is just not an accurate method (although we all do it). Many studies have proven that the hand (or a kiss on the forehead) will be correct 98% of the time when there is no fever, but wrong half of the time when the individual actually has a fever. The reason is that body heat is released or retained to keep our body temperature in the normal range. This contributes to the erroneous assessment as felt by the hand or lips. The core body temperature stays normal by the release of heat (like opening the windows when the house is too hot) or by retention of the heat (closing the windows when the house is too cold).
How long should I wait before I can measure thebody temperature again?
It is important to wait a full minute before repeating the scan to allow the skin over the temporal artery to recover from the cooler temperature of the probehead.
Why should I wait a full minute?
It is important to wait a full minute before repeating the scan to allow the skin over the temporal artery to recover from the cooler temperature of the probehead.
How much does the probehead differ in temperature from the body temperature?
The probehead is at room temperature and about 30 degrees lower than body temperature.
I took temperature a couple of times and each time the results differ!
Multiple scans in rapid succession will change the temperature of the skin and result in variability of the readings. The probehead is at room temperature and about 30 degrees lower than body temperature.
Variability – Different Temperatures with each scan
Multiple scans in rapid succession will change the temperature of the skin and result in variability of the readings. It is important to wait a full minute before repeating the scan to allow the skin over the temporal artery to recover from the cooler temperature of the probehead. The probehead is at room temperature and about 30 degrees lower than body temperature.
For further information, email medical@exergen.com or call Customer Service at 617-923-9900 x6234.
What is happening. The temperature given is far too low.
- Smudgy/dirty lens: The most common reason for low readings is a smudgy/dirty lens. To resolve, an alcohol dampened Q-tip should be twirled directly on the lens every 2-3 weeks.
- Sweaty foreheaf
How do I clean the lense?
Make sure you use a Q-tip (or generic cotton tipped stick applicator), and not a twisted paper towel or tissue). Following the alcohol cleaning, let the TemporalScanner recover from the coldness of the alcohol for about 5 minutes before using it again.
Clean the lense with a cotton tip dipped in alcohol.
How long should I wait before I can use it again?
5 min
How often should I clean the lense?
EVERY 2-3 WEEKS
Why is sweat causing low readings?
Sweat will cause low temperature readings: If the individual is sweaty, the effect of evaporative cooling on the forehead will result in low temps when using the TemporalScanner. However, sweat is a sign the fever has broken and, as a result, the temperature is rapidly falling back to normal. If sweaty, wait until the forehead has dried before taking a temperature, wiping the forehead will not work. However, when the individual is just beginning to sweat, taking the temperature in the little soft depression on the neck just below the earlobe will work since we sweat last on the neck. But if both forehead and neck are wet/moist, wait until the sweating has subsided before taking a temp.
Low Temperatures
Smudgy/dirty lens: The most common reason for low readings is a smudgy/dirty lens. To resolve, an alcohol dampened Q-tip should be twirled directly on the lens every 2-3 weeks. Like a camera or eyeglasses, the TemporalScanner uses optical technology. In the case of the TemporalScanner, the infrared sensor (which is behind the lens) must “see” the heat in order to measure it. If you have had the TemporalScanner a little while, it might just need a lens cleaning (make sure you use a Q-tip (or generic cotton tipped stick applicator), and not a twisted paper towel or tissue). Following the alcohol cleaning, let the TemporalScanner recover from the coldness of the alcohol for about 5 minutes before using it again.
The little lens should be cleaned as follows below:
1. Use an alcohol dampened Q-Tip (it has to be a Q-Tip or other cotton tipped stick applicator for the leverage required, and not a twisted paper towel, gauze pad, or tissue).
2. Dampen the Q-Tip with either an alcohol prep/swab, or dip the Q-Tip in a little alcohol, but do not use the alcohol prep/swab to clean the lens as it will not provide the leverage needed.
3. Twirl the Q-Tip directly on the little lens deep in the center of the probehead.
4. This preventive maintenance should be routinely done every few weeks.
5. Following the alcohol cleaning, wait about five minutes to let the infrared sensor behind the little lens to recover from the coldness of the alcohol cleaning. Page 1 of 2
Sweat will cause low temperature readings: If the individual is sweaty, the effect of evaporative cooling on the forehead will result in low temps when using the TemporalScanner. However, sweat is a sign the fever has broken and, as a result, the temperature is rapidly falling back to normal. If sweaty, wait until the forehead has dried before taking a temperature, wiping the forehead will not work. However, when the individual is just beginning to sweat, taking the temperature in the little soft depression on the neck just below the earlobe will work since we sweat last on the neck. But if both forehead and neck are wet/moist, wait until the sweating has subsided before taking a temp.
What is the difference between a temperal scanner and a rectal scanner?
Rectal is far slower, temperal much faster.
The TemporalScanner differs from rectal temperature. Unlike rectal temperature, the TemporalScanner identifies a change in temperature immediately, since it is measuring the heat from the blood coming directly from the heart (a true core temperature). Even on an infant, when temperature is changing, it can take 60-90 minutes for rectal temperature to identify the change, and considerably longer on older children and adults.
Why is the temporal scanner on average one or two degrees Farenheit higher than a rectal thermometer?
The TemporalScanner is measuring a core temperature. Like a rectal temperature, temperature taken with the TemporalScanner, on average, will be about a degree Fahrenheit higher than an oral temperature. With the exception of an infant up to about 6 months, the TemporalScanner, on average, will be about two degrees higher than an axillary (under the arm) temperature.
Temperature on an infant up to about 6 will be about the same as an axillary and rectal temperature as the infant’s body temperature is close to being uniform regardless of where the temperature is taken.
What does the TemporalScanner™ measure?
With a gentle stroke of the forehead it captures the naturally emitted heat from the skin over the temporal artery, taking 1,000 readings per second, selecting the most accurate. With its patented Arterial Heat Balance system, the TemporalScanner measures ambient temperatures mathematically replace the small temperature loss from cooling at the skin and displays an accurate arterial temperature.
Why is it more accurate than ear temperature?
A major reason ear thermometers are considered inaccurate by medical professionals is because the positioning of the probe in the ear canal is inconsistent, thus creating inconsistent readings and frequently missing fevers. The temporal artery thermometer scans the forehead area for the temporal artery and it is almost impossible to miss the artery during a scan. Also, the person whose temperature is being taken does not like something inserted in their ear, making good positioning even more difficult. The gentle scan across the forehead is comfortable and not objectionable. The TemporalScanner has been proven more accurate than ear thermometers by a Harvard Medical School study.
What is the arterial temperature?
Arterial temperature is the same temperature as the blood flowing from the heart. It is the best determinate of body temperature.
Normally, how does arterial temperature compare to other methods of temperature?
Arterial temperature is the same temperature as the blood flowing from the heart. It is the best determinate of body temperature.
Is it different when someone is sick?
At times, you can expect larger differences from temperatures taken at other body sites. This is because of two main reasons:
- Temporal artery temperature changes faster than a temperature taken rectally
- Temporal artery temperature is not affected by the things that cause oral and underarm temperatures to be misleading.
For example, drinking, coughing, talking, or mouth breathing can easily affect oral temperature, and skin blood flow changes with a fever can easily affect axillary temperature.
Why am I getting inconsistent results?
You should normally be getting reproducible results, or results within a few tenths of a degree of each other. However, a few things to know:
- Multiple temperatures taken over the same area in rapid succession will ultimately cool the area causing differences.
- If sweating, the temperature on the neck behind the ear lobe becomes the overriding temperature, and since this area is not quite as stable as the temporal artery, it can easily be cooled be by the thermometer in taking multiple readings. Remember, the probe of thermometer will be at room temperature, and is about 30 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) cooler than body temperature.
I heard the thermometer is sensitive to ambient temperature, is it?
Yes, it is sensitive to ambient temperature, which is part of the reason it is so accurate. But, as long as the thermometer is in approximately the same ambient temperature as the individual whose temperature is being taken, you don’t have to be concerned.
Doesn’t ambient temperature affect the temperature of the skin on the forehead?
Yes, ambient temperature affects the skin temperature, and so the thermometer automatically measures the ambient temperature at the very same time it is measuring the temperature over the temporal artery. It then can calculate any heat loss (in a normal or cold room) or gain (in a hot room), and instantly computes an accurate body temperature. Exergen patented this method, which is called the Arterial Heat Balance Method, and the result, proven by clinical studies, is a non-invasive body temperature as accurate as even the most invasive temperature measurement methods.
What else should I know?
- Measure only the side of the head that is exposed. Any covering, hair, hat, etc. will prevent the heat from dissipating, and would cause the reading to be falsely high. This also applies if one side of the head is into a pillow.
- Slide the thermometer in a reasonably straight line across the forehead, midway between the eyebrows and the upper hairline. Do not slide down the side of the face. Midway on the forehead area, the temporal artery is less than 2 millimeters below the skin surface. It is down the side of the face. It is much deeper and less accurately measured.
- You should also know you have purchased the gentlest and most accurate method of temperature assessment in the world.
Where can I purchase a TemporalScanner?
They are available at FirstCry