March 29, 2024

Sapiensdigital

Sapiens Digital

Body Temperature Monitors Just Got Smarter

With the rise in awareness of health monitoring due to the current COVID-19 crisis, many businesses have implemented temperature control checks for their customers and staff. While a simple IR thermometer can do the trick, it still requires a human to operate and control entry.

With systems like ConfiTemp’s ConfiTemp One, the entire process is automated and completely customizable.

RELATED: SHARP TWO-DECADE DROP IN HUMAN BODY TEMPERATURE STUMPS SCIENTISTS, SAYS STUDY

What is a temperature monitor?

As the name suggests, a temperature monitor is a portable measurement instrument that is capable of performing automated temperature recordings over a pre-defined time period. Digital data is usually retrieved, viewed, and evaluated after it is recorded.

Such devices have a range of variations, but most will include some form of internal thermistors or thermocouples that can be connected to external sources. Temperature readings are taken and digitally stored, and many devices also have a digital display to provide visual feedback for users or operators. 

temperature monitoring IR
Source: tom-bullock/Flickr

This display may, or may not, show warnings when a recorded data point is out-of-tolerance (e.g. too high or too low). Recorded data can usually be retrieved via cable, RFID, or wireless systems.

Such devices are generally small, battery-powered or mains connected, portable, and come equipped with microprocessors, internal memory for data storage, and sensors. Many can also interface directly with personal computers or smart devices for set-up, control, and analysis.

Temperature monitors will usually also be governed by quality management systems with calibration requirements to national and international standards for data verification and validation.

Such devices have applications in many industries from environmental monitoring and shipping to medical uses like checking human body temperature.

Why do we check a patient’s temperature?

Measuring a person’s body temperature is a very important metric in medical sciences. This is because a number of diseases result in a characteristic change in body temperature. 

This kind of information is very useful for doctors to validate the effectiveness of a particular kind of treatment.

When a patient contracts a fever, this is mainly the result of some form of disease-specific stimuli. It is the most common type of disease-related increase in body temperature and is your body’s attempt to support the body’s immune system to combat an infection. 

This is thought to be because certain common bacteria and viruses can be very sensitive to temperature changes. A fever is technically the point where your body temperature rises above 99.5°F (37.5°C).

Body temperature is controlled by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which maintains body temperature to around 99.5°F — though it does vary throughout the day depending on whether you are sleeping, exercising, or just resting.

What are some of the best body temperature monitors?

There are many great body temperature monitors on the market, but one of the latest comes from a company called ConfiTemp. Called the ConfiTemp One, this smart infrared temperature access control module is cutting edge. 

temperature monitor confitemp
Source: ConfiTemp

It combines medical-grade multi-sensor technology with the latest in facial recognition to provide very accurate forehead temperature scans. The system can be adapted to various applications and indoor environments, making it an entry control system for commercial centers, office buildings, co-working spaces, community buildings, gyms, schools, clinics, hotels, tourist attractions, transportation hubs, and other areas where visitor temperature management is required.

The system can provide highly accurate body temperature readings from 15 (40) to 24 (60 cm) inches distance from the device. It can also be readily integrated with existing IoT access control systems like turnstiles, automatic doors, barrier gates, and the multiple interfaces support extended peripherals like ID card readers and fingerprint scanners.

ConfiTemp One also has a range of custom add-on features like gesture recognition and QR code detection. Up-and-coming added features also include respiratory infection detection and COVID-19 detection using machine learning. These features are still in the development phase and the clinical trial continues. Once they get medical approval, ConfiTemp devices will be able to diagnose COVID-19 and pneumonia simply by analyzing the visitor’s cough and voice. 

The benefits of such a system include, but are not limited to:

  • Maintaining a safe workplace environment
  • Reducing time on screening guests, customers, and employees
  • Reducing the risk of access by infected persons
  • No-contact temperature screening
  • Eliminating user error
  • Eliminating the risk of cross-contamination from handheld infrared readers
  • More accurate and hygienic than handheld infrared readers
  • More efficient and cost-effective than using a staff member to screen
  • Being informed immediately if someone has a high temperature
  • Avoiding costly contamination clean-up

The device comes in a range of setups including a floor stand configuration, desktop versions, and wall mounting options.

Who is ConfiTemp?

ConfiTemp is a Boston-based company that was founded during the need for hands-free reliable body temperature monitoring spawned by the COVID-19 crisis. The company now provides a range of smart multi-sensor infrared body temperature access control modules that combine medical-grade infrared technology with intelligent facial detection software and enterprise-level back end management. 

body temp monitoring confitemp
Source: ConfiTemp

ConfiTemp has partnered with local businesses in the Boston area to test their devices since early-March 2020 and has been shipping out their products since April 2020. You can check out their deals here.

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