Exergen Temporal Scanner

Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer

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There are so many things that I never realized I was going to need as a new parent.  I guess I just assumed that we already had two people living in the house, what was the big deal about adding one more?  Sure, baby would need a bed, a car seat and small collection of miscellaneous baby gear.  But, one thing I absolutely never planned on was getting a new thermometer.  Ours worked fine, right?  When we started to feel sick, we could get the thermometer out and use the number for bragging rights, mostly.     

Now fast forward a few short weeks…. It was the middle of the night and my newborn baby was wailing as if she was being tortured, which really wasn’t like her at all (I know, lucky).  I went to kiss her forehead and realized she was really hot, so I raced through the house to find an arguably more scientific method of gauging temperature.  I came back with a fist full of thermometers and began to take her temperature very methodically, trying each one using every means endorsed by the packaging and comparing the readings.  Immediately I was concerned about the range of readings I was getting. 

She was three degrees off from normal on one, and over 102 on two others.  Yet another thermometer had her at a normal reading.   After all the testing was done I was even more confused than before.  Had she not been under 4 weeks, I might have given her Tylenol and snuggled her back to sleep, but I had read my literature.  I knew that babies that young should be watched carefully when running temperatures that high.  Having never really cared for an infant this young, I began to question if I was doing it right – did it stay in her mouth long enough?  Was she wiggling when I took it under arm?

I finally caved and called her pediatrician, reaching the after hours help line and requesting a doctor call me back.  He called back a few minutes later and we went over my findings.  Did you do an oral reading?  Yep, as best I could.  Did you do an underarm?  Yep, tried that, too.  Did you do a rectal reading?  Wait… a what?!?  I hadn’t realized that people still took rectal readings, let alone were endorsed by medical professionals.  I guess I had just thought it was a dated medical practice and not something I would ever have to do.  The doctor talked me through it over the phone, and although traumatized permanently, I had the number for him. 

But now I was even more confused since this number was much higher than the other thermometer readings were.  I questioned why this one was so high, and the doctor explained that rectal readings have a different scale than oral or underarm.  I checked the packages of all the thermometers and not one made this distinction clear.  In fact, not one even mentioned a difference whatsoever.  Seriously, there had to be a better way.  I thought we supposed to have hover cars by now but this is still the most scientific method for gauging temperature? 

The next morning I made a doctors appointment and took baby in, hoping to get a real scientific measurement of her fever. While there I asked what they would recommend for future nighttime scares.  “Rectal”, they answered.  They saw my look and followed it up with “or you could get a forehead scanner”.  Wait a minute… a forehead scanner?!?  A forehead scanner exists on the market yet I had to do a rectal reading the night before?  Oh, the horror. 

 Exergen It turns out that forehead scanners not only exist, they are readily available.  Temporal Artery Scanners are infrared thermometers that work by taking a noninvasive reading from the temporal artery (located on the temple, naturally).  They are made by Exergen and available nationally at Wal-Mart, Babies R Us, Walgreens, Costco, and available at www.exergen.com I could tell you all about them in my non-existent medical background, or I can quote the manufacturer.  I think the choice is easy and my feelings won’t be hurt if you prefer to read the following:

What is the Exergen TemporalScanner™?
The Exergen TemporalScanner™is the world’s first infrared thermometer designed to measure body temperature by taking a reading from the temporal artery. The patented technology employs an infrared sensor that accurately registers body temperature to within +0.2º F—a much more accurate means of taking the temperature than any other way including oral, rectal, axillary (under the arm) and tympanic (in the ear). It is also the least invasive method, depending upon a gentle sweep over a patient’s forehead.

What does the TemporalScanner™ measure?
The TemporalScanner captures naturally emitted heat from the skin over the temporal artery, taking 1,000 readings per second, and selecting the most accurate. With its patented Arterial Heat Balance system, the TemporalScanner measures ambient temperatures, mathematically replaces the small temperature loss from cooling at the skin, and displays an accurate arterial temperature.

Why is it more accurate than measuring ear temperature?
Ear thermometers are considered inaccurate by medical professionals because the positioning of the probe in the ear canal is inconsistent, thus creating varied readings that frequently result in missing fevers. The gentle scan across the forehead, reading the temporal artery, is more accurate and comfortable for the user. A Harvard Medical School study has proven that the TemporalScanner is more accurate than ear thermometers.

All of this makes it perfect for babies, active toddlers, kids and more.  I’m sure you see why hospitals all over the country are using this same technology.  It’s quick (less than 2 seconds) and it’s easy (a press of a button and a quick scan of the forehead and temple – no need to turn off!) and it’s affordable ($39.99 to $49.99 at select stores) and it works for all ages.  It’s not a hover car, but while they work on those, we can all enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having a reliable, easy and accurate thermometer.

Random Rave:  Know what’s even better than being able to take a quick and easy scan of a baby that doesn’t feel well?  Being able to take a quick and easy scan of a baby while they are sleeping.  Seriously, no need to wake a sick baby means that everyone gets more sleep.  I was also thrilled to find that the Exergen Temporal Scanner comes with a fabulous User Guide that gives tips and tricks for taking temperatures, and even gives specific criteria for evaluating your readings.  Clearly, someone was thinking.  You can also read the User Guide Here.

www.exergen.com

See stockists at http://www.exergen.com

Price: $39.99 to $49.99 at select stores

Looks: Hi-techy with a little Star Trekky, and baby’s new favorite toy.

Overall:  Second to a hover car, far superior to traditional thermometers.

And now for the Giveaway…



To enter to win an Exergen Temporal Scanner, comment below and tell me if you have ever seen one of these used before and where. 

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If you want extra entries:

Let me know you have subscribed to this blog – 1 extra entry

Blog about this giveaway with links to this post – 2 extra entries

Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link) – 3 extra entries

 Comment on any of my posts and then come back here and let me know – 1 extra entry per comment, no limit 
 

on April 12th at 11:59pm a winner will be drawn and the lucky winner will be notified via email

A BIG thank you to the Family Review Network and Exergen for making this review/giveaway possible.

138 thoughts on “Exergen Temporal Scanner”

  1. When my son was hospitalized for a week they used a forehead scanner there. That was the first time I’d seen one. Unfortunately, we have not been so fortunate as to have one for ourselves at home.

  5. I saw these at the store and I thought they were a great item. The old fashioned ones are hard to read and I hate that they are glass and can break.

  6. I actually have not seen one of these at all until seeing reviews online for them. They look to be so far advance to any other means of temperature taking. Add me to the giveaway chance. Thank you.

  8. I’ve seen one of these, a friend of mine has one and uses it for her 2 kids – I’ll cross my fingers that I win

  9. I have never seen no one like this before but it looks so useful!
    Thanks for the chance!
    cal_rubies at yahoo dot es
    I’m from Spain. I don’t know if I can enter…

  11. I’ve never seen these, but it sort of looks like the one they use at the pediatrician’s office. Seems a lot more accurate! I know that my sister in law could sure use one for my new niece!

  14. They used one on my daughter at the hospital recently, and I was so impressed with how quick and easy it was! I would love to have this at home.

  19. I have never seen one or used one.
    But I gotta tell ya my Drs office needs one (as do I). I have been to see my Dr 5 times since Jan and every time they take my temp by ear. It always says that I have a 100+ temp. Which is not true. I am healthy but female issues.

  21. In person I have not seen it use, but I was watching a medical show on Discovery and I noticed that scanned a person head and the nurse said the temp. I was curious if that was something for real.

  23. OH! How I wish I had such nifty SAFE things when my kids were babies. I remember the fear of breaking the glass thermometers when attempting futilely to get a proper reading. I have used an Exergen at my eldest daughters house! WOW. LOVE it. I want one. I do daycare and this is way better than the electronic ones even.

  24. Our pediatrician uses these, and they’re amazing. Super fast, easy and painless. My 2 year old actually said “Thank you!” on Wednesday after they took his temperature with it. It would be much easier than taking his temp rectally, which is how we currently do it, and neither one of us really cares for! Not to mention the fact that I’m 38 weeks pregnant, so it would also be great for the newborn.

  26. I haven’t used one yet but love the reviews I have been reading & think it would help with squirmy kids.

  27. I had one used on me as I was going in for surgery. My husband and I looked at each other and said, “Wish we had one to use for our daughters!”

  28. The nurse used it on me about two months ago when I was in labor at the hospital. It was really fast!

  33. The only place I have seen these used is in the doctors office and on the web.
    madamerkf at aol dot com

  50. I have never seen one of these used before but it sure looks like a major improvement in temperature-taking. Thanks.

  53. I have never seen one before but as I first time mom I need one. My baby hates to get her temperature taken.

  59. I have never actually seen it used, but then I am great-grandma and am not the one taking the baby to see the doctor. Would like to be able to give this to my granddaughter.

  64. I had taken my friend to the hospital and they used a similar gadget to take her temp.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  66. I have never seen one used in person, only on some videos showing it used.
    Thanks for offering this.
    naturetoclickatyahoodotcom

  67. They used one of these on my daughter at the hospital recently. I couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was! I would love to have one at home.

  69. I have never seen one of these used before but it would be really great to have. So much easier and more accurate that any other way. Thanks for the giveaway!
    braaisjo at gmail dot com

  72. I had no idea these even existed! These are amazing, no more struggling with a sick child to get a temperature reading!

  82. I saw a temporal scan thermometer when we brought my son to the emergency room. They slid it across his forehead and had a temperature instantly. He didn’t mind it at all (and as a strong-willed 3 year-old, he would have put up a fight for any other method of temp-taking). I would love to have one to use in our home!

  88. I have seen it used at my daughter’s school. I was in the office and a child came in saying he was sick. The admin took one of these out and took his temp just like that! It was pretty cool!
    Thanks

  90. I haven’t seen it used before, but I think it’s a great tool to have around the house…with great accuracy!

  91. I have seen a temporal thermometer used in a doctor’s office. I do not know though what brand it was. I was impressed with its ability to take a temp so fast.

  92. I have only seen it used on there website. I would love to own one of these thank you for the chance.

  102. I think most people who have gone to a doctor in the past year have seen this. I plan on buying one if you don’t give me yours. Good give!

  104. I have seen one, actually. My local Walgreens carries them, and when I went in for a new thermometer, they were there. I unfortunately purchased a cheap one that takes 1-2 minutes instead of 15-20 seconds.

  105. i’ve never seen one in life but have heard about them a lot in the blog world. I did however see one similar at K-Mart while I was waiting in the pharmacy area. ty for the chance.
    denice p
    doozercries at yahoo . com

  109. I had one of these used on me in the hospital — I thought someone was “blessing” me with some sort of magic wand. What an advance in temperature-taking. My husband and I would love to have one of these.

  113. I first saw these in the hospital and I love how quick and easy it is to get a fast reading. Thanks for the giveaway!

  114. They used one of these on my daughter at the Dr. the other day. I thought it was the thing they used to test for jaundice!

  118. My doctor’s nurse used it on me a couple of years ago. It was so fast and easy that I want one for my daughter’s first baby.

  135. I’ve never seen one used anywhere…not even the doctor’s office. You would think they were more widely use if there is no accuracy problems.

  136. I have never seen this used before, but it looks fantastic! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!

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