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Effect of ambient temperature and attachment method on surface temperature measurements
Agnes Psikuta1, Reto Niedermann, René M Rossi
1Laboratory for Protection and Physiology, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland, agnes.psikuta@empa.ch.
International Journal of Biometeorology
|May 21, 2013
Summary
Skin temperature measurement accuracy depends on sensor type and attachment method. Careful selection and reporting of sensor-tape systems are crucial for reliable physiological and clinical research.
Area of Science:
- Thermophysiology
- Clinical research
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Accurate skin surface temperature measurement is vital for thermophysiology and clinical applications.
- A review of recent literature revealed inconsistencies in reporting temperature sensor attachment methods.
- This lack of standardization impacts the reliability and reproducibility of temperature measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare the performance of various commercial temperature sensors and attachment methods.
- To quantify the impact of sensor type and attachment on temperature measurement accuracy.
- To develop an efficient method for evaluating sensor-tape combinations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of different temperature sensors and common skin attachment techniques.
- Quantitative assessment of measurement performance under controlled conditions.
- Development and validation of a standardized testing protocol for sensor-tape systems.
Main Results:
- Both sensor type and attachment method significantly influenced absolute and relative temperature measurements.
- Sensor shape, sensing area contact, and tape thermal conductance were key factors.
- Environmental conditions' influence on measurements was minimized by optimizing these parameters.
Conclusions:
- Sensor and attachment method selection critically affects human and manikin trial temperature data.
- Systematic evaluation of sensor-tape systems under use conditions is essential.
- Standardized reporting of sensor and attachment parameters in publications is necessary for research integrity.
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Step 2:
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Step 3:
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