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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT OF BODY TEMPERATURE
WHY MEASURE BODY TEMPERATURE?
It is of great medical importance to measure body temperature. The reason is that a number of diseases are accompanied by characteristic changes in body temperature. Likewise, the course of certain diseases can be monitored by measuring body temperature and the effectiveness of a treatment initiated can be evaluated by the doctor. Fever is a reaction to disease specific stimuli, where the setpoint of the temperature control centre is varied to promote the body's defence against the disease process. Fever is the most common form of pathological (disease related) elevation of body temperature.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) AND ANSWERS PEN TYPE THERMOMETERS
LIST OF ALL QUESTIONS RELATED TO PEN TYPE THERMOMETERS
1. How can I confirm that the pen type thermometer is still accurate after a period of time or after a drop?
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2. Why does my pen type thermometer sometimes need a long time for measurement?
Answer
3. Is the electronic pen type thermometer as accurate as a mercury one?
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4. Is measurement with the pen type thermometer still reliable in low battery mode?
Answer
5. Can I use alcohol to disinfect my pen type thermometer?
Answer
6. Can I boil or autoclave my pen type thermometer for disinfecting/sterilisation?
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7. Which means of temperature taking do you recommend for children?
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8. Can I use an electronic pen type thermometer for animals?
Answer
9. Is the pen type thermometer 100% mercury free?
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10. How does the pen type thermometer detect the body temperature?
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11. How long does my pen type thermometer battery last?
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12. Which type of battery do I have to buy for my pen type thermometer when the battery is empty
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATED TO PEN TYPE THERMOMETERS
1. How can I confirm that the pen type thermometer is still accurate after a period of time or after a drop?
MEDISANA thermometers are equipped with an automatic self-test. Every time you switch on the thermometer, an internal program
performs an accuracy test. If the accuracy is within ±0.1°C, the thermometer will automatically switch into the measuring mode. If the accuracy is outside ±0.1°C the thermometer will show 'ERR' in the display and it is impossible to take a measurement.
As it becomes older, the reference thermistor used for the accuracy test, may change its value. In such rare cases, even the self-test does not recognise it. This is why for security reasons and in accordance with international standards, each thermometer should be controlled every two years against an accurate reference device.
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2. Why does my pen type thermometer sometimes need a long time for measurement?
The thermometer measures as long as the temperature increases! The response time is very closely related to the place where the
measurement is made and to correct positioning.
This is especially critical at the axilla. If you put the thermometer there and press the arm to the body, the axilla warms up slowly and can take up to 5 minutes!
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3. Is the electronic pen type thermometer as accurate as a mercury one?
A MEDISANA electronic thermometer is even more accurate than a mercury thermometer.
Reading off the correct temperature on an electronic thermometer is much easier and more precise than on a mercury type thermometer.
Furthermore, the mercury thermometers don't have a beeper or anything else to indicate when the measurement is completed.
Please distinguish between the technical and clinical accuracy. The technical accuracy is in the specified measuring range ±0.1°C. The test is performed in the water bath using a comparison with a highly accurate electronic thermometer. The clinical accuracy is tested on human beings in a clinical evaluation, compared with a calibrated reference thermometer. Based on the above points, the electronic thermometer is more reliable than the mercury thermometer.
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4. Is measurement with the pen type thermometer still reliable in low battery mode?
As long as the thermometer is ready for measurement, it offers the same accuracy. When battery power is too low, the thermometer shows a low battery symbol and does not perform any measurements until the battery is replaced.
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5. Can I use alcohol to disinfect my pen type thermometer?
We propose the use of 70% concentrated isopropyl alcohol for disinfecting. Our thermometers are 100% waterproof and can also be placed in any common disinfecting liquid for 24 hours.
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6. Can I boil or autoclave my pen type thermometer for disinfecting/sterilisation?
No! Electronic thermometers, even waterproofed models cannot be boiled or autoclaved! The maximum allowed temperature is 50°C. The electronic components will cease to function in excess of 50°C. Also glass type thermometers cannot be boiled of course!
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7. Which means of temperature taking do you recommend for children?
The most accurate method is rectal measurement.
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8. Can I use an electronic pen type thermometer for animals?
In general, all MEDISANA thermometers are developed and designed for humans. We do not have experience in animal measurements and do not take any responsibility for data obtained for animals with our products.
As the MEDISANA thermometer measures in the range between 34°C and 42°C it can theoretically be used for animals with a body temperature in this range
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9. Is the pen type thermometer 100% mercury free?
Yes, our thermometers are free of mercury. But please note that even "mercury free" batteries contain a minimum quantity of mercury! 100% mercury free round cell batteries do not exist.
So we can state in general: "Our thermometers are mercury free". But please note that this is based on "mercury free" batteries we are using and which are in fact just 99.9%, not 100%, mercury free!
The minimum of remaining mercury is located in the housing (not in the electrolyte) of the round cells.
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10. How does the pen type thermometer detect the body temperature?
MEDISANA thermometers work as maximum thermometers. This means that the highest measured temperature will be displayed. The thermometer measures as long as the temperature is on the increase!
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11. How long does my pen type thermometer battery last?
The battery life time depends on the following factors:
The built in round cell battery will last for about 2,000-3,000 measurements. The maximum storage time is 3-5 years.
If you take a maximum of five to ten measurements per week for home use, the battery will theoretically last for over five years in terms of max. number of measurements. But here the storage time may limit the lifetime. So for home use we can predict 3 to 5 years lifetime.
Daher schätzen wir für den häuslichen Einsatz eine Lebensdauer zwischen 3 und 5 Jahren.
lf a thermometer is used in a hospital where it may be used 5 times per day, the battery may last for 1 to 1.5 years.
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12. Which type of battery do I have to buy for my pen type thermometer when the battery is empty?
If you use the thermometer for home use, you need not worry about battery exchange probably because the installed battery may last for 3 to 5 years!
If you need a new battery, we recommend you ask for a 'SR41' round cell battery. "41" is a code for the battery size; 'LR' batteries are also suitable but have a shorter lifetime. We recommend that you take the old battery with you so you purchase the right one.
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