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ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITYDr A. K. Nunn, Clinical director, REHABTech
T. J. Churchward, Research Assistant, Maskiell Fellow.
The accuracy and reliability of an industrial infra red temperature probe (FLUKE 80T-IR) were compared to those of two similar probes in current clinical use (FIRST TEMP Genius and INVOTECH Biotherm).
The accuracy was determined using a Platinum Resistor TemperatureSensor (P R T) as a reference.
Reliability was also examined in the short term (reading to reading) and the medium term (day to day).
The probes were assessed across the biological range (24 to 40*C).
The average accuracies of the probes were First Temp (-1.9*C), Invotech (-1.2*C) and Fluke (+3.7*C).
Reliability was expressed as standard deviation of results. The overall standard deviations were First Temp (0.7*C) Invotech (0.7*C) and Fluke (0.9*C).
Where the highest degree of accuracy is required, the Fluke would not be a suitable replacement for the clinical devices, across the biological range of temperatures.
However, the Fluke may be a worthwhile cheap alternative to the First Temp and Invotech devices as it is less than half the price of the other two temperature probes. It also can be used at higher temperatures (up to 260*C) such as those found in prosthetic manufacturing processes.
This study provides a basis for skin and socket temperature studies clinically, including the area of prosthetics and orthotics.
AMPUTEE UNIT, CAULFIELD GENERAL MEDICAL CENTRE,
THE ALFRED GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA in collaboration with REHABTech
