Pharmaceutical and Medical Temperature Probes

Pharmaceutical and medical temperature probes, such as thermocouples, thermistors and RTDs, are used in a wide range of medical applications along with helping monitor temperatures in medical facilities.

Medical or pharmaceutical facilities include various types of laboratories for ensuring stable temperatures for experiments, specimen storage, and equipment calibration are maintained.

This is especially important in processes like cold chain logistics for monitoring the temperature of vaccines, medicines and biological samples and alerting appropriate personnel if those item’s integrity is threatened by changes in temperature.

However, the most common usage of medical temperature probes focuses on monitoring and managing patient body temperatures while they are in a hospital or during surgery or a patient’s time in an ICU. Consistently accurate temperature readings are extremely critical.

Here are some common types and uses of medical temperature probes:

1. Esophageal temperature probes are inserted into the esophagus, these probes measure core body temperature. They provide accurate reflection of core temperature, suitable for patients in surgery and under anesthesia. The downside is they are Invasive and not suitable for conscious patients.

2. Tympanic (Ear) temperature probes measure the temperature of the eardrum using infrared sensors, commonly used in clinical and at-home settings. They are quickly applied and non-invasive, but can be impacted by earwax buildup or improper placement in the ear.

3. Rectal temperature probes are used for neonates, infants, and critically ill patients to provide a reliable core temperature reading. They are highly accurate, but again invasive and only should be used in controlled settings for the patient’s comfort.

4. Oral temperature probes are commonly used in both clinical and at-home settings, these probes measure temperature in the sublingual pocket. Less invasive than rectal or esophageal probes, but less accurate since they may be impacted by recent intake of food or liquids.

5. Skin temperature probes are adhesive probes applied to the skin, often used in neonatal care or to monitor peripheral body temperature. Easy to place correctly and completely non-invasive, but not as accurate as core temperature readings since they can be affected by ambient temperature.

Each type of temperature probe offers specific advantages for certain applications and is chosen based on the clinical context and the need for accuracy or invasiveness.

Please contact us for more information about the design of medical temperature probes and how we can help you find the right solution for your application.