When the outbreak of COVID-19 took place the IR Thermometers have been of immense use. This device can measure the temperature without touching the patient and its measurement don't require a contact with the person. It provides fast temperature measurement and is highly accurate .

1. Health technology is defined by the
World Health Organization as the "application of organized
knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines,
vaccines, procedures, and systems developed to solve
a health problem and improve quality of lives“

2. Infra Red(IR)
Thermometer-
IR Thermometer Module for Non Contact
Measurement of body temperature
Health Technology Management
Series- Dr. S.B.Sinha
Ex. President-Biomedical
Engineering
Society of India

5. IR
THERMOMETER
SENSES THE
INFRARED FROM
THE BODY TO
DETECT THE
TEMPERATURE
WITHOUT ANY
CONTACT.

6. What is an Infra
Red and How
does IR
Thermometer
work
Infrared is an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength between
microwave and visible light. The wavelength is between 1mm
and 760 nanometers (nm), which is invisible light longer than
red light.
Any heated object generates IR. . Infrared can be divided into
three parts, namely near infrared, with a wavelength between
(0.75-1) to (2.5-3) μm; mid-infrared, with a wavelength between
(2.5-3) to (25-40) μm; far infrared , The wavelength is between
(25-40) ~ l500μm.
Medical infrared can be divided into 2 categories: near infrared
and far infrared. Containing thermal energy, the sun's heat is
mainly transmitted to the earth through infrared rays.
Within this wave band, only frequencies of 0.7 microns to 20
microns are used for practical, everyday temperature
measurement.

9. Principle of
operation of
IR
Thermometer
Working of an IR Thermometer:
The IR Thermometer consists of the following parts:
a) A laser pointer light which points to the place where the temperature is
required to be taken.
b) A thermo detector- The heat from the body emits IR lights which is
detected by the thermo detector and gets heated by the IR.
c) A convertor- The heat energy is converted into electrical energy.
d) LCD/LED Display- The converted Electrical signals are then displayed
after proper calibration as Temperature in Deg C or Deg F..

10. Key Considerations of Medical IR Thermometer
The following needs to be
considered while choosing a
Medical IR Digital Thermometer:
a) Temperature Range- The
temperature range is the minimum
and maximum that it can read
within the given accuracy. For
Medical use the temperature is
selected to be in the Range of 32
deg C to 42 deg C.
b) Accuracy-Accuracy is how true
is the reading to the actual
value.The Accuracy to be +/- 1 deg
C .
c) Measurement distance- For
what distance the measurement is
taken from the body.Should be
upto 3 -5 cm
d) Display resolution-What is the
last reading of the Thermometer.
Should be 0.1 deg C+/-
e) Response Time-How fast it can
show the captured reading- It
should be within 5-10 Sec.

11. Cleaning and
maintenance
Steps to clean your infrared
thermometer:
• Dampen a soft cloth or cotton swab
with water or medical alcohol. Never
use soap or any other chemicals.
• Gently wipe the lens first and then
the body of the infrared
thermometer. Never submerge any
part of your infrared thermometer.
• Allow the lens and body to dry
completely before storing or using
the infrared thermometer.