Braun WelchAllyn ThermoScan PRO 4000 - Care and cleaning; Probe window cleaning

Braun ThermoScan
The Braun ThermoScan thermometer has been carefully developed for
accurate, safe and fast human body temperature measurements in the
ear. The shape of the thermometer prevents it from being inserted too
far into the ear canal to damage the eardrum.
However, as with any thermometer, proper technique is critical
to obtaining accurate temperatures. Therefore, please read all
instructions carefully and thoroughly before using this product.
Important
• Do not expose the thermometer to temperature extremes (below
– 20 ºC / – 4 ºF or over 50 ºC / 122 ºF) nor excessive humidity
(> 95 % RH).
• The probe window must be kept clean, dry, and undamaged at all
times to ensure accurate readings. To protect the probe window,
always keep the thermometer in the storage cover while transporting
or when not in use.
• This thermometer must only be used with genuine Braun
ThermoScan probe covers.
• To avoid inaccurate readings, always attach a new, clean probe
cover for each temperature reading.
How does Braun ThermoScan work?
The Braun Pro 4000 technology reads the infrared energy emitted by
the tympanic membrane and surrounding tissues to determine the
patient’s temperature. To avoid gross temperature dif-
ferences, the sensor itself is brought to a temperature close to that
of the human body. When the Braun ThermoScan is placed in the ear,
it continuously monitors the infrared radiation until a temperature
equilibrium has been reached and an accurate reading can be taken.
The thermometer displays a 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.
Why measure in the ear ?
Clinical studies have shown that the ear is an excellent site for tem-
perature 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.
English
1. Chamberlain, J.M., Terndrup, T.E., New Light on Ear Thermometer Readings,
Contemporary Pediatrics, March 1994.
2. Chamberlain, J.M., et al., Determination of Normal Ear Temperature with an Infrared
Emission Detection Thermometer, Annals of Emergency Medicine, January 1995.
Advantages of taking temperatures at the ear versus traditional sites:
• Axillary temperature readings only reflect skin temperature which
may not indicate the internal body temperature.
• Rectal temperatures often lag significantly behind internal body
temperature changes, especially at times of rapidly changing tem-
peratures.
• Oral temperatures are often influenced by eating, drinking, thermo-
meter placement, breathing through the mouth, or the inability of the
person to close their mouth completely.
1. Guyton A C, Textbook of medical physiology, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, p 919
2. Guyton A C, Textbook of medical physiology, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pp 754-5
3. Netter H F, Atlas of Human Anatomy, Novartis Medical Education, East Hanover, NJ, 1997, pp 63, 95
Body temperature
Normal body temperature is a range. The following table shows that
ranges of normal also vary by site. Therefore, readings from different
sites, even if taken at the same time, should not be directly compared.
Normal ranges by site:
Axillary
1
: 34.7 – 37.3 °C 94.5 – 99.1 °F
Oral
1
: 35.5 – 37.5 °C 95.9 – 99.5 °F
Rectal
1
: 36.6 – 38.0 °C 97.9 – 100.4 °F
ThermoScan
2
: 35.8 – 38.0 °C 96.4 – 100.4 °F
• Also, a person’s normal temperature range tends to decrease with
age. The following table shows normal ThermoScan ranges by age:
Normal ThermoScan ranges by age:
0 – 2 years 36.4 – 38.0 °C 97.5 – 100.4 °F
3 – 10 years 36.1 – 37.8 °C 97.0 – 100.0 °F
11 – 65 years 35.9 – 37.6 °C 96.6 – 99.7 °F
> 65 years 35.8 – 37.5 °C 96.4 – 99.5 °F
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.
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