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How does Braun ThermoScan work: The Braun ThermoScan PRO 6000 Ear thermometer technology reads the infrared energy emitted by the tympanic membrane and surrounding tissues to determine the patient's temperature. To help ensure accurate temperature measurements, the sensor itself is warmed to a temperature close to that of the human body. When the Braun ThermoScan is placed in the ear, it continuously monitors the infrared energy until a temperature equilibrium has been reached and an accurate measurement can be taken. The thermometer displays an actual measured ear temperature or clinically accurate, oral equivalent temperature that has been validated in clinical studies by comparing IR measurements with the oral readings from afebrile and febrile patients of various ages. Unadjusted operating mode ear temperature readings are available via unadjusted mode, which can be accessed using the Welch Allyn Service Tool.
PerfecTemp Sensor System: Speed and ease of access are two key advantages of ear thermometry. Concerns regarding accuracy and reliability have hindered adoption of this technology. In clinical studies, the precision of ear temperature measurement has been shown to be influenced by ear canal anatomy and variability in user technique. Proper probe placement can also be a challenge, particularly with young patients that move around during measurement. Shallow probe placement, coupled with anatomical variabilities such as ear canals with a small circumference and poor visibility of the tympanic membrane, can result in readings that are low compared to core temperature because the thermometer could be focused on the cooler outer ear canal.
The Braun Thermoscan PRO 6000 Ear thermometer incorporates a new proprietary sensor system, PerfecTemp, that overcomes the challenges presented by ear canal anatomy and variations in technique among clinicians. The thermometer collects information about the direction and depth of ear probe placement as it is placed into the ear canal and automatically incorporates this information into the temperature calculation. Incorporating information related to patient specific anatomy and exact ear probe placement in the ear canal increases the accuracy of the measurement as compared to core temperature, especially when probe positioning is not ideal.
ExacTemp technology: The Braun Thermoscan PRO 6000 Ear thermometer also features ExacTemp technology which supports temperature measurement reliability by detecting the stability of the probe placement during the measurement. The ExacTemp light flashes during the measuring process and remains illuminated when the measurement is complete, indicating consistent placement of the probe during the measurement process. Consistent probe placement helps support accurate temperature measurement.
Why measure in the ear: Clinical studies have shown that the ear is an excellent site for temperature measurement because temperatures taken in the ear reflect the body's core temperature. Body temperature is regulated by the hypothalamus, which shares the same blood supply as the tympanic membrane. Changes in core body temperature are usually seen sooner at the tympanic membrane than at other sites, such as the rectum, mouth or under the arm. Advantages of taking temperatures at the ear versus traditional sites: Axillary temperature measurements reflect skin temperature which may not reliably indicate the internal body temperature; Rectal temperatures often lag significantly behind internal body temperature changes, especially at times of rapidly changing temperatures. Also, there is a risk of cross contamination; Oral temperatures are often influenced by eating, drinking, thermometer placement, breathing through the mouth, or the inability of the person to close their mouth completely.
Body temperature: Normal body temperature is a range. The following shows that this normal range also varies by site. Therefore, measurements from different sites, even if taken at the same time, should not be directly compared.
Normal ranges by site: Axillary: 95.6-99.4°F/35.3-37.4°C; Oral: 95.7-99.9°F/35.4-37.7°C; Rectal: 96.6-100.8°F/35.9-38.2°C; ThermoScan: 95.7-99.9°F/35.4-37.7°C.
A person's normal temperature range tends to vary with age. The following shows normal ThermoScan ranges by age.
Normal ThermoScan ranges by age: <3 months: 96.4-99.4°F/35.8-37.4°C; 3-36 months: 95.7-99.6°F/35.4-37.6°C; >36 months: 95.7-99.9°F/35.4-37.7°C.
The range of normal varies from person to person and can be influenced by many factors such as time of day, level of activity, medications and gender.
