Thermal Scanners or temperature Scanners are constructional elements for measuring temperature and employ the functional dependence of a certain physical property of the sensor material on temperature, which is customarily recognized and well defined.
Are we using the right thermal body scanners for screening temperature as a measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19?
In fact, there seems to be a lack of clarity on these thermal scanning devices. Multiple thermal scanners reviewed by BusinessLine reported different temperatures for the same human body. The temperature displayed on these scanners varied from 87°F to 97.5°F within a span of 30 minutes. No other metrics were changed between these tests and that is something not to trust upon.
Thermal Scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed fever (i.e. have higher body temperature than the normal) because of the infection of new corona virus COVID-19. However they are not effective in detecting the people who are infected with corona virus as it takes nearly 10 days to develop a high body temperature than the normal after being effected with this new virus.
Body temperature can be measured in a number of ways. Traditionally, body temperature has been measured using contact thermometers that are placed on the forehead or in the mouth, ear, armpit or rectum. For children in particular, rectal temperature measurement is often considered to be the gold standard. Non-contact thermometers allow a person’s temperature to be taken with minimal (tympanic) or no (Non-contact infrared thermometer [NCIT], thermal scanner) contact with the person.
This means temperature can be measured without the discomfort of having to sit still with a thermometer in the mouth, armpit, or rectum long enough to obtain a correct temperature reading. The lack of contact also means the disinfection process between patients for the thermometers is minimal or unnecessary, allowing for easier and faster use when screening large numbers of people in settings like airports or border crossings.
The main types of non-contact thermometers are non-contact infrared thermometers, tympanic thermometers, and thermal scanners. Non-contact infrared thermometers are held three to 15 cm away from the patient and typically measure temperature on the forehead or temple. Tympanic thermometers measure the thermal radiation from the tympanic membrane and within the ear canal. Handheld thermal scanners can be used to take a person’s temperature from a greater distance than other non-contact thermometers,
which may make them a good candidate for use in mass screening situations. The optimal cut-off temperature for determining fever differs for each device. However, not everyone who has an infection or is infectious will have a fever. Additionally, fevers can be lowered by using antipyretic medications. The objective of this report is to determine the effectiveness and accuracy of non-contact thermometers for the detection of febrile individuals.
Infrared thermometers allow a person’s temperature to be taken with minimal (tympanic) or no (Non-contact infrared thermometer [NCIT], thermal scanner) contact with the person. This means temperature can be measured without the discomfort of having to sit still with a thermometer in the mouth, armpit, or rectum long enough to obtain a correct temperature reading. The lack of contact also means the disinfection process between patients for the thermometers is minimal or unnecessary, allowing for easier and faster use when screening large numbers of people in settings like airports or border crossings
Types of Thermal Scanners:-
The main types of non-contact thermometersor the thermal scanners are non-contact infrared thermometers, tympanic thermometers, and thermal scanners.
- Non-contact infrared thermometers are held three to 15 cm away from the patient and typically measure temperature on the forehead or temple.
- Tympanic thermometers measure the thermal radiation from the tympanic membrane and within the ear canal.
- Handheld thermal scanners can be used to take a person’s temperature from a greater distance than other non-contact thermometers, which may make them a good candidate for use in mass screening situations.
Though,the optimal cut-off temperature for determining fever differs for each device. However, not everyone who has an infection or is infectious will have a fever. Additionally, fevers can be lowered by using antipyretic medications.
Scope of thermal Scanners:-
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- South America
- Middle East & Africa
By End-User Industry
- Aerospace & Defense
- Industrial
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Others
By Product Type
- Handheld/portable camera
- Fixed/mounted cores
- Scopes & vision goggles
By Technology
- Cooled
- Uncooled
By Application
- Detection & measurement
- Monitoring & inspection
- Security & Surveillance
- Others
Key Stakeholders
- Market research and consulting firms
- Industry associations
- Global thermal scanner manufacturing firm
- Research organizations and consulting companies
- Organizations, associations, and alliances related to thermal scanner
- Regulatory bodies
- Suppliers
- Retailers
Application Segmental Analysis
Based on application, the global thermal scanners market classified into Detection & measurement, Monitoring & inspection, Security & Surveillance, and Others. The Detection & measurement segment estimated to dominate due to benefits such as city surveillance, commercial, and residential end-users for perimeter security and intruder awareness. The infrared scanner has used in a wide range of industrial applications, such as detecting defects on steel and detecting metal parts after hardening. Thermal scanner help in the assistant to measure potential viruses and people carrying suspected cases at the airport.
The security & Surveillance segment will grow by benefits such as the elimination of terrorist attacks that have seen increasing for damaging critical infrastructure in many countries. To avoid such incidences, governments are investing in stringent surveillance with thermal scanning security systems.
End-User Industry Segmental Analysis
Based on end-user industry, the global thermal scanner market categorized into Aerospace & Defense, Industrial, Healthcare & Life Sciences and Others. Aerospace & Defense segment expected to gain maximum revenue by 2027 owing to the huge demand for thermal scanner in airport security and the military field for its day and night observation and thermal target detection.
The industrial segment will drive by its application in the automotive industry to detect test the front window heating system, the rear window heating system, and the air conditioning system.
Region Segmental Analysis
Based on geography, the global thermal scanner segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. North America estimated to occupy the lion’s market share by 2027, owing to growing demand in surveillance and security applications in these regions.
The Asia Pacific will drive by the surge in the application of thermal scanner in airport security purposes due to the recent spread of a new type of coronavirus infection that occurred in China.
Competitor Analysis
Companies such as 3M Scott, Axis Communications, Raytheon Company, L3 Technologies, Inc., Leonardo DRS, Fluke Corporation, FLIR Systems, Inc., BAE Systems Imaging Solutions, Tonbo Imaging, Seek Thermal, and ULIS are the key players in the Global Thermal Scanner Market.
