Rectal probes for temperature

Has anyone ever come across a "probe" type device that would do temperature monitoring rectally? My vision is something that would be inserted and left in place with some sort of retention device. It could then be left in place to monitor the patient's temperature without having to "manually" do vitals on a regular basis. I've seen something close to what I've been looking for on urethral catheters where a wire is implanted in the cath to do temp monitoring, but that seems to miss the point for those of us who prefer rectal temps. Any thoughts?

They use them in surgery. Their use depends on the length and severity of the procedure.

See this thread

http://www.zity.biz/index.php?mx=forum;ox=display;topic=4796

I've fantasized about those; having one inserted for a whole exam, for some manufactured medical reason.

NASA have been using them since the first space flight. Even today current space suits used for extravehicular activity have a rectal temperature probe as part of the telemetry to accurately measure the astronaut's core body temperature.

Yep, I've had them several times when taking part in research projects at a university.

They're basically a thin cable with a thermistor on the end, and a plastic covering along the end of the cable. One end connects to the data logger, the other goes 8-10cm into your rectum.

The first two studies I took part in, I simply had the thermistor in me, and the cable taped to one of my cheeks, it did somehow stay in place but at times it did feel like it was maybe slipping.

The most recent study I took part in, there was the addition of a 2cm diameter bead threaded onto the cable, at the end of the plastic sheath, that I inserted as well as the 10cm of cable, to stop it from coming dislodged or loose.

Quite interesting really 😃 they looked sort of like this:

http://best-b2b.com/userimg/692/698-1/400-series-pediatric-temperature-probe-188.jpg and they're reusable.

A friend of mine did extensive reasearch in fatigue/sleep studies in various occupations and the probes were always use for the subjects. They are quite accurate and the readings help to determine where the subject is on their circadian cycle.

Man, can you imagine trying to get to sleep with one in, let alone all the extra sensors and wires! gotta wonder how they ever get any accurate results...

[quote author=daiv link=topic=45753.msg349017#msg349017 date=1303507158]

man, can you imagine trying to get to sleep with one in, let alone all the extra sensors and wires! gotta wonder how they ever get any accurate results...

[/quote]

We've got people with enema nozzles, colon tubes, electric butt plugs and numerous other items stuck up their ass who go to sleep handcuffed to their bedposts.

I bet any of the pervs (everybody) on this site will sleep just fine with whatever anybody can stick up their posterior orifice! 😁 😁 😁

The results? Sensors don't lie.

Haha, I'm talking real studies, not the more, uh, interesting stuff posted about on here 😄

^^^^ Yes, me too. I'm talking about the real and the "interesting" tests.

It really isn't hard to sleep with a rectal probe of any sort.

I work on an ambulance, and a patient we took to the hospital. an early 20's girl who was unresponsive and found in the cold got a rectal temp monitor probe put in her. they hooked it up to the ECG/NIBP monitor so they could watch her as they warmed her up.... This was after they took a baseline temp via her rectum HOT

[quote author=Switchablesusie link=topic=45753.msg349065#msg349065 date=1303520800]

It really isn't hard to sleep with a rectal probe of any sort.

[/quote]

They are thin...with the exception of worrying about it falling out or getting snagged on something, I don't think you would notice at all.

If I can go to sleep with an IV, arterial line/IBP, ECG, pusleox, O2 cannula, a rectal probe is well below the noise level.

When I used to go for my infusions, I had an IV, a BP cuff and pulse ox. I had no problem sleeping through most of the procedure, though I would sometimes wake up when the cuff inflated.

They do sell a digital rectal temp with a separate probe they use there in Hospitals.

If anyone is interested there is quite a range of very reasonably priced digital thermometers on ebay with a varity of flexable probes suitable for rectal insertion here are a few starting at 99 pence

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TM-902C-K-Type-Thermometer-Temperature-Meter-Probe-/280755563940?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item415e55eda4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C-F-LCD-Digital-Thermometer-Temperature-Meter-Reptile-Vivarium-Probe-NWE-/280740793521?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item415d748cb1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Temperature-Panel-Meter-Monitor-Thermometer-2-Probes-C-/270757213724?pt=UK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes&hash=item3f0a63361c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Blue-LCD-Temperature-Meter-50-150-Probe-/230650228600?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item35b3d32f78

There are a number of others if you care to look

Http://www.dealextreme.com/p/digital-compact-lcd-thermometer-with-outdoors-remote-sensor-15553 would be the easiest and cheapest way of getting a temp probe.

I might make a 'howto' DIY really realistic probe based on this, total cost about $5.

Rectal temp probes are used routinely in ICU and surgery patients. They are a small thermistor at the end of a cable which is inserted into the rectum a short distance. The cable is attached to the EKG BP and pulse oximetry monitor. To the patient it is almost unnoticeable.

Rectal temp probes are used routinely in ICU and surgery patients. They are a small thermistor at the end of a cable which is inserted into the rectum a short distance. The cable is attached to the EKG BP and pulse oximetry monitor. To the patient it is almost unnoticeable.

In recent years, this has been replaced by temperature probes built into urinary catheters. Anyone sick enough to need continuous core temperature monitoring will have a catheter to monitor urinary output. Multitasking.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2055060

As for probes for temperature takings, there are IVAC & FILAC units (brand names). Both can come with ORAL and RECTAL Probes, each differentiated by the top color of the probe-ORAL=BLUE, RECTAL=RED. They also have plastic sheaths to cover the metallic portion of the probe. The thing about these units, is they're battery operated. That means, that at a point where the unit needs to be used, the battery has to be up and running to fully power the unit. If it's weak, the reading if obtained could very well be off. As for the probes, I think they're just a bit longer than the older mercury glass thermometers, and when used either orally or rectally, ascertain a temperature much more quickly. Accuracy of these units vs. glass mercury thermometers; well pretty much the glass mercury ones are still considered the gold standard in taking temperatures.