Frequently Asked Questions
Why take temperature measurements at the skin surface over the temporal artery?
The best place to measure temperature is the center of the heart, but this can be
done only under a doctor’s supervision. Doctors know that measurement of the
blood temperature in a major artery accurately reflects true body temperature. The
TemporalScanner Thermometer is designed to measure the temperature of the
skin surface over the temporal artery, a major artery of the head. The temporal
artery is connected to the heart via the carotid artery, directly leading from the
aorta, the main trunk of the arterial system. It offers constant blood flow. It is the
only such artery positioned close enough to the skin surface to provide the access
needed to take an accurate measurement. It is easy to use because it is ideally
located at the front portion of the forehead. The TemporalScanner is easier and
gentler to use than other types of measurement devices such as oral, rectal,
underarm and in-ear thermometers because it is truly non-invasive.
What is the correct technique? When you use the TemporalScanner, make sure to
start with a blank screen, then keeping the button depressed, touch the center of
the forehead and scan horizontally in a straight line over to the hairline, before
releasing the button. Do not curve down to the temple or you could miss the
important part of the temporal artery which is up in the forehead and naturally
trapped between the skin and the skull, so is never too deep. At the temple, the
artery can go deep, even on an infant, and will not provide the correct temperature.
Why am I getting low readings? Smudgy/dirty lens: The most common reason for
low readings is a smudgy/dirty lens. To resolve, an alcohol dampened Q-tip should
be twirled directly on the lens every 2-3 weeks. Like a camera or eyeglasses, the
TemporalScanner uses optical technology. In the case of the scanner, the infrared
sensor (which is behind the lens) must “see” the heat in order to measure it. If you
have had the TemporalScanner a little while, it might just need a lens cleaning
Make sure
you use a Q-tip or generic cotton tipped stick applicator, not a twisted
paper towel or tissue. Following the alcohol cleaning, let the scanner recover
from the coldness of the alcohol for about 5 minutes before using it again. The
little lens should be cleaned as follows below:
Display Messages
A flickering
Scn on display is visible during measurement. At
completion, releasing the button will display and lock
temperature on the screen for 30 seconds.
The target temperature measured is higher than 107.6°F(42°C).
The target temperature measured is lower than 60°F(15.5°C).
Temperature of the thermometer is higher than 104°F(40°C).
Let the instrument acclimatize for about 30 minutes in a cooler
area in which it will be used.
The temperature of the thermometer is lower than 60°F(15.5°
C). Let instrument acclimatize for about 30 minutes in a warmer
area in which it will be used.
EMI/RFI (like static on a radio) protection is preventing a
temperature from being taken. Wait a minute and you should
be able to proceed. If not, reset by removing and replacing the
battery. Be sure battery is tightly connected. Call Customer
Service if error message reappears.
Blinking battery icon with temperature displayed: battery is
low but will still operate correctly. Replace soon.
Blinking battery icon with 2 dashes: not enough energy in the
battery to measure correct temperature. Replace battery.
Maintenance
The Temporal
Scanner is an optical instrument. Like a camera or eyeglasses, a
dirty lens will distort the view. If the thermometer is unable to see the heat clearly, it
will be unable to measure it accurately, resulting in low readings.
Probe lens and cone should be shiny clean. If not, wipe the silver cone with a small
cloth moistened with alcohol. Lens should be cleaned with an alcohol dampened Q-
tip. Hold upside-
down to prevent excess moisture from entering the sensor area. It will
not harm the sensor, but if it becomes too wet, you will be unable to take a
temperature until it dries.
Thermometer case can be cleaned with a clean cloth with alcohol. Avoid gritty,
abrasive cleaners as they can scratch the thermometer.
Do not hold the TemporalScanner under the faucet or submerge in water. It is not
water-proof.
Specifications
Clinical Accuracy: Meets ASTM E1965-98 and EN60601-1 standards for
electronic and radiation thermometers to the extent applicable to thermometers
which measure the surface of the skin over the temporal artery. EMI/RFI
Protection: Error message displayed. Calibration Protection: Error message
displayed. Temperature Range: 15.5 to 42°C (60 to 107.6°F). Operating
Environment: 15.5 to 40°C (60 to 104°F). Resolution: 0.1°C or °F. Response
Time: Approximately 0.04 second. Time Displayed on Screen: 30 seconds before
automatic shutdown. Battery Life: Approximately 1000-5000 readings depending
on 9V battery type. Size: 7.0 in x 1.75 in x 1.25 in (17.8 cm x 4.45 cm x 3.18 cm).
Weight: 4.5 oz (130 grams) including battery. Display Type: High contrast LCD.
Construction Method: Impact resistant casing, hermetically
sealed sensing
system.
Storage Range
: -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C).
Laboratory Error:
ASTM
laboratory accuracy requirements in the display range of 37° to 39°C (98 to102°
F) for IR thermometers is +/-0.2°C(+/-0.4°F) whereas for mercury-in-glass and
electronic thermometers, the requirement per ASTM standards E667-86 and
E1112 is +/-0.1°C (+/-0.2°F). Full responsibility for this product meeting
applicable portions of this standard is assumed by Exergen Corporation,
Watertown, MA 02472.
Patents:
Listed at www.exergen.com/patents.
EXERGEN
Corporation
400 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel 617-923-9900 Fax 617-923-9911
,
www.exergen.com
This symbol on the product’s
nameplate means it is
listed by
Underwriters’Laboratories, Inc.
1.
Dampen the Q-Tip with either an alcohol prep/swab, or dip the Q-
Tip in a little alcohol, but do not use the alcohol prep/swab to
clean the lens as it will not provide the leverage needed.
2.
Twirl the Q-Tip directly on the little lens deep in the center of the
probehead.
3.
This preventive maintenance should be routinely done (every few
weeks).
4.
Following the alcohol cleaning, wait about five minutes to let the
infrared sensor behind the little lens recover from the coldness of
the alcohol cleaning.
Sweat will cause low temperature readings: If the individual is sweaty,
the effect of evaporative cooling on the forehead will result in low
temperatures when using the scanner. However, sweat is a sign the
fever has broken and, as a result, the temperature is rapidly falling
back to normal. If sweaty, wait until the forehead has dried before
taking a temperature. Wiping the forehead will not work. However,
when the individual is just beginning to sweat, taking the temperature
in the little soft depression on the neck just below the earlobe will work
since we sweat last on the neck. But if both forehead and neck are
wet/moist, wait until the sweating has subsided before taking a temp.
Five and Three Year Warranty
Exergen Corporation warrants each new Exergen TemporalScanner against
defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 5 years for the TAT-2000C/
SmartGlow and 3 years for the TAT-2000C/Original, from the date of purchase,
and agrees to repair or replace any
defective product without charge.
IMPORTANT: This warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident,
misuse or abuse, lack of reasonable care, the affixing of any attachment not
provided with the product or loss of parts or subjecting the product to any but the
specified battery.* Use of unauthorized replacement parts will void this warranty.
Exergen Corporation will not pay for warranty service performed by a non-
authorized repair service and will not reimburse the customer for damage
resulting from warranty service performed by a non-authorized repair service.
No responsibility is assumed for any special, incidental or consequential
damages. For warranty service, call Exergen Corporation Customer Service,
800-422-3006 or email [email protected] for a Return Material Authorization
number (RMA). Then send the product, postage or shipping prepaid, to Exergen
in accordance with the instructions given with the RMA number. NOTE: No other
warranty, written or verbal, is authorized by Exergen Corporation. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary
from state to state. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusion and limitations
may not apply to you.*Read enclosed instructions carefully.
Why do the readings differ from rectal temperature? Unlike rectal temperature, the
TemporalScanner
identifies a change in temperature immediately, since it is
measuring the heat from the blood coming directly from the heart (a true core
temperature). Even on an infant, when temperature is changing, it can take 60-90
minutes for rectal temperature to identify the change, and considerably longer on
older children and adults.
Why am I getting a high reading? The Temporal
Scanner is measuring a core
temperature. Like a rectal temperature, temperature taken with the
Temporal
Scanner, on average, will be about a degree Fahrenheit higher than an
oral temperature. With the exception of an infant up to about 6 months, the
Temporal
Scanner, on average, will be about two degrees higher than an axillary
(under the arm) temperature. Temperature on an infant up to about 6 months will
be about the same as an axillary and rectal temperature as the infant’s body
temperature is close to being uniform regardless of where the temperature is taken.
Should I believe my hand or the Temporal
Scanner? Touching the forehead is just
not an accurate method (although we all do it). Many studies have proven that the
hand (or a kiss on the forehead) will be correct 98% of the time when there is no
fever, but wrong half of the time when the individual actually has a fever. The
reason is that body heat is released or retained to keep our body temperature in
the normal range. This contributes to the erroneous assessment as felt by the
hand or lips. The core body temperature stays normal by the release of heat (like
opening the windows when the house is too hot) or by retention of the heat (closing
the windows when the house is too cold).
Why do I get a different reading with each scan?
Multiple scans in rapid succession will change the temperature of the skin and
result in variability of the readings. It is important to wait a full minute before
repeating the scan to allow the skin over the temporal artery to recover from the
cooler temperature of the probe head. The probe head is at room temperature and
about 30 degrees lower than body temperature.
Selecting
°F
or
°C
Mode -
Original
Model
The factory setting is
°F. If you wish to change it to
°C
, follow
the steps below:
1.
Take a temperature. While the temperature is displayed, tap
the
button three times rapidly. A flashing
F - C alternating
with
°C
will appear. This indicates that the mode has changed
to
°C.
2.
Take a new temperature. You will see that it is displaying in
the
°C mode, and the small upper right indication is °C.
3. To change from the
°C mode to the °F mode, repeat
steps 1 and 2.
Used and Recommended by Millions of Doctors and Nurses
