Ircon® and Raytek® Infrared Systems Offer First Line of Defense as Fast, Effective Screening Tools for Swine Flu

Noncontact IR technology can help identify elevated skin temperatures that can result from a viral infection

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., — Fixed infrared scanners and thermal imagers from Raytek/Ircon, as well as handheld IR thermal imagers from its parent company, Fluke, can be used at airports, terminals, hospitals, schools, factories and public gathering areas to identify people with elevated temperatures resulting from an infectious disease, such H1N1 influenza A (aka, “Swine Flu”). Individuals who register a fever can then be isolated for further evaluation to help prevent the spread of disease.

Lessons learned from the outbreak of SARS/Avian flu indicate that infrared (IR) noncontact temperature measurement can be an effective, easily deployed solution for identifying individuals who may have elevated skin temperatures. The human body and all objects emit infrared energy. The Tokyo, Japan, airport is currently using IR thermographic imaging to screen large numbers of passengers arriving on international flights. Other countries, including among others, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Mexico, have instituted similar screening processes to aid in fever detection.

Raytek, Ircon and Fluke IR noncontact thermometers measure surface temperature, including the temperature of skin, which is displayed in color using a thermal imager or linescanner. An alarm or “red light” indicator can be triggered when anyone passes through the scanning area, such as a metal detector at the airport, with a body temperature outside the normal range.

Growing international exchange, travel, and economic migration have increased the risk of spreading viral diseases. In response to this threat, public health authorities around the world need a fast, easy, non-invasive and reliable method to detect elevated human body temperature. Infrared thermometry is such a method. This technique is noncontact, so there is less chance of spreading infection or disease. Temperature readings are immediate, thus large groups of people can be screened quickly. Plus, infrared temperature measurement is completely safe and innocuous, so it poses no threat to public safety. People can be moving during thermal screening, so travel is not delayed.

Key features of the Raytek system include a wide field-of-view to monitor adults and children without moving the camera, automatic data capture for record keeping, red light output for quick visual identification of alarm, and easy installation and set up.
The Ircon system includes automated thermal image (thermal picture) capture, an alarm output to a PC or to a light with relay accessory, real-time “video” output, and data storage for trend analysis. Both systems are fully automated, so an operator is not needed for temperature screening.

The Ircon IR Maxline® 2 fixed thermal imager is provided with a 3-year warranty for commercial use. No export license is required for the Raytek MP150 fixed linescanner, ensuring fast delivery worldwide.

About Raytek and Ircon
Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, Ircon has joined with Raytek to offer a complete IR solution, including the industry’s most complete line of infrared sensors, linescanners and process imaging systems. Raytek, a Fluke company, is the worldwide leader in noncontact temperature measurement. Raytek designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of infrared (IR) temperature measurement instruments for industrial, maintenance and quality control applications. Raytek distributes its products worldwide with subsidiaries located in Europe and China. For more information, visit www.raytek.com or www.ircon.com or email fluscreen@raytek.com or fluscreen@fluke.com

About Fluke
Fluke Corporation is the leader in compact, professional electronic test tools. Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians, metrologists and building diagnostic professionals who install, troubleshoot, and manage industrial electrical and electronic equipment and calibration processes for quality control as well as conducting building restoration and remediation services. Fluke is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. For more information, visit www.fluke.com/fluscreen

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Contact Information

Arlene Lucas Starrh

Sr. Global Marcom Manager

Raytek

Contact via E-mail