EPCOS launches NTC thermistors for high-precision medical thermometers

The new disposable thermometer produced by EPCOS features high accuracy (up to ±0.1 K) and rapid response (7 seconds). When measuring a patient's body temperature, it is simple and quick to operate. The design concept of the disposable sensor benefits from mature ceramic technology, specifically chip-type negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors, while also utilizing FDA-approved materials such as polypropylene and new manufacturing processes. By connecting the NTC chip and copper leads with silver paste through a low-temperature process, the impedance drift of the NTC thermistor caused by the manufacturing process is minimized to the greatest extent. Other connection technologies, such as soldering or welding, cannot achieve this effect. The greatest advantage of the disposable thermometer is its extremely short response time. If traditional methods were used to reduce measurement time, it would be necessary to infer the expected body temperature of the patient through complex predictive methods. EPCOS's solution does not require this. Therefore, there is no need to incur additional costs for electronic equipment. diode

Epoc has developed a reusable thermometer for prolonged temperature measurement, such as monitoring patients during surgeries or infants in incubators. The product features high precision, robust construction, and resistance to repeated sterilization cycles. It can withstand 121°C for 20 minutes or 134°C for 4 minutes, with a cycle lifespan exceeding 100 uses. The injection molding technology employed by Epoc ensures excellent moisture resistance, whereas traditional encapsulation techniques result in lower impermeability for sensor systems. Another advantage is the use of dual-insulated, highly flexible cables with an insulation resistance exceeding 100 MΩ, ensuring reliable performance when measuring skin-surface temperatures.diode