The thermometer is one of the most commonly used medical devices, both in the medical/hospital and private sectors.
It was Galileo Galilei who invented the first rudimentary model of thermometer way back in 1607.
Over the centuries this instrument has seen considerable progress and improvements,going from being a mechanical to digital device, with increasingly precise and advanced functions.
Many factors therefore come into play when choosing the best thermometer,from the context where it is used to the type of patient involved up to the type of measurement necessary.
Let's see what the main types of thermometer on the market are now, delving into their characteristics, to make the user's purchase more correct and aware.
The thermometer: what is it for (in brief)
The thermometer is the instrument that allows you to detect body temperature easily and quickly.
This is allowed by the fact that a physical quantity is used which undergoes changes as the temperature varies, whether it is a liquid, gaseous or solid substance.
In recent years, devices that use much more precise digital technology have become increasingly widespread.
The average body temperature of a human being is 37°C, but it can vary greatly from subject to subject, as well as from the measurement area.
For example, the temperature of the body extremities, hands and feet, can be substantially different from the average body temperature depending on clothing and climatic conditions.
The importance of choosing an accurate and reliable thermometer
The choice of one type of thermometer over another depends on several factors.
Variables should be considered such as the temperature range in which the device is able to function, its precision and any temperature scales used.
Or again, its dimensions, which depend on where it is to be used,as well as its power supply in the case of a digital thermometer, as well as the possibility of saving the data detected.
All this obviously depends on the use to be made of the thermometer, where and on which subjects it is used, as well as the type of temperature measurement necessary.
It is clear, however, that precision and reliability are the two main characteristics that a user expects when purchasing a thermometer.
Types of thermometer: traditional, digital, contact, ear or remote
There are therefore various types of thermometer on the market.
The thermometer for measuring traditional fever exploits a mechanical expansion of a substance as the temperature varies. Originally this was mercury (but banned since 2009 due to its toxicity), while other, more ecological substances are now used.
A tip is placed at the detection point, typically the axillary hollow. The change in temperature affects the volume of mercury present in a small tube, which expands along a graduated scale indicating body temperature.
It guarantees precise measurement and also has the advantage of always being ready for use and allowing the measurement of temperature in various parts of the body, as well as being available at affordable prices.
On the other hand,being made of glass it can break easily and the time required for detection is at least 4-5 minutes.
The difference in temperature measurement time is the primary distinction between a traditional thermometer and a digital thermometer.
With this last type of thermometer in fact it really takes a few seconds to measure body temperature, as it can also be used in different areas of the body, armpits such as the axillary hollow or even the mouth and anal orifice.
Equipped with electronic heat sensors that transmit temperature changes to a microcircuit,the digital thermometer shows the data detected on a liquid crystal display.
Typically works on battery and has a very low cost.
The remote thermometers work with infrared,capable of detecting thermal radiation emitted by a human body by converting it into body temperature.
Also called forehead thermometers, precisely because they find the privileged point of detection in an individual's forehead, they have the great advantage of being able to be used remotely, without the need to touch the patient's body.
The measurement is carried out in just a few seconds, which makes them the preferred device in non-hospital facilities, such as for example airports, stations or shopping centres.
On the other hand, they may not be entirely precise as the temperature detected on the forehead can vary if it is wet or sweaty, in addition to the fact that they are not suitable for measuring newborns in the first six months of life.
A more accurate temperature measurement, especially for children, is guaranteed by a particular type of infrared thermometer, the ear thermometer, to be placed on the ear cavity.
Is the mercury or digital thermometer better? Pros and cons
In the medical field, however, it is preferable to use traditional or digital thermometers.
But which is the most reliable thermometer between these two types?
In recent years, after the banning of mercury, particular traditional ecological thermometers have been put on the market where mercury has been replaced by a gallium alloy,non-toxic and easily disposable.
They provide sufficiently precise detection and can be used for many years, although as mentioned the detection lasts a few minutes, which makes them less practical to use in emergency situations.
Precisely for this reason, the digital thermometer has become increasingly widespread, much more reliable, more precise, easy to read and fast in terms of detection.
A speed that makes it the best tool for measuring the temperature of newborns and children up to three years of age.
In the more advanced models of professional thermometers there is also the possibility of storing the data detected,which makes them very useful in hospital settings to track the evolution of a particular disease.
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It therefore becomes essential to choose the thermometer suited to your needs.
Whether it is a doctor's office, a hospital or a private business,__KEEP_0__ provides a vast assortment of the best thermometers, of all types.
The group's over 20 years of experience in the sale of medical instruments ensures the customer in choosing the best devices on the market.
