Medical engineering devices are rapidly evolving and incidentally, requests towards the suppliers of device components are also on the rise. The response of Optris GmbH is to routinely improve and develop its sensors for non-contact temperature measurement.
Image Credit: Optris GmbH
Medical devices are generally compact and small. Therefore, the build of the temperature sensors is a key component for their use. Through continuous exchange with customers, Optris has been well-positioned to optimize the optris CS LT for medical technology.
The optris CS LT slides easily into the smallest medical devices and products due to its length of just 87 mm and diameter of 12 mm.
The optris CSmed LT is a special edition of the device. It provides the customer with a significant advantage: a short connecting cable with a plug. This plug facilitates easy, rapid fitting or removal of the thermometer, e.g., for standard calibrations.
Temperature control in the cryo technology
The optris CS LT can be used routinely within the medical technology field, including in cryo technology. This technology is also known as low-temperature technology and is utilized to produce low temperatures with a temperature range of around -150 °C. Cryo technology is typically used for cold shock treatments.
Cold shock therapy is applied in the treatment of sporting injuries, muscle stiffness inflammation, swellings or bruises, as well as hematoma, oedema or scar tissue. Inflammation spots can be quickly dismantled, achieving a considerable reduction of the pain.
One of Optris’ medical OEM customers is using gas bottles with liquid CO2 gas for the thermo shock treatment. The gas bottle expels the liquid CO2 with 1-2 bars and is applied to the skin as dry ice.
.jpg)
The cold shock therapy is used for muscle stiffness. Image Credit: m3ron/shutterstock.com
Throughout this short process, the skin of the patient experiences a cooling effect from a skin surface temperature of 32 °C down to just 2 °C - 4 °C within 30 seconds. Permanent control is crucial throughout this process to prevent the extreme cooling of the skin and potential harm to the patient.
For simple control of the skin surface temperature, the optris CS LT is inserted into the pistol of the head unit, and the surface temperature measured is shown on a display.
Due to the extremely large temperature range between -40 °C and 1030 °C, the optris CS LT is perfect for cold shock therapy treatment. The precise temperature display prevents skin damage.
Thermoforming of dental products
A key application of infrared temperature sensors across medical technology is the integration of infrared thermometers in thermoforming devices used in the production of dental products.
One such example would be a customer of Optris, who is fabricating thermoforming units for dental laboratories. These units manufacture individually adjusted mouthpieces, which are used for protection when engaging in sportive activities.
Image Credit: Joaquin Corbalan P/shutterstock.com
Prior to forming the mouthpiece (plastic foil), infrared radiators heat up the piece to a pre-defined temperature. The piece is then thermally homogenized. A high homogeneity over the surface and an appropriate adjustment of the reforming temperature will inevitably produce high-quality reforming results.
The temperature must be constantly monitored to achieve consistent product quality and to avoid local burning and crack formations in the material.
In current machines, temperature measurement is achieved through contacting temperature measurement at the radiator. Recently, the same company started to take advantage of non-contact temperature measurement.
The installation of the pyrometer optris CS LT beneath the infrared heater captures the foil temperature throughout the entire heating process. Subsequently, the thermoforming process starts once the heating concludes at a set temperature.
In addition to precision temperature measurement, the optris CS LT has the advantage that it can be employed in environments up to 80 °C without experiencing any additional cooling.
About Optris GmbH
Optris has been developing and manufacturing innovative infrared measurement devices for non-contact temperature measurement, including stationary IR thermometers, and infrared cameras for point and area measurement, for more than 17 years.
Our comprehensive product portfolio comprises infrared measurement devices for different industrial applications as well as research & development. Along with our free thermal analysis software, our measurement devices enable constant monitoring and control of virtually every manufacturing process, and reductions in production costs through specific process optimization.
Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments.