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| COMFORTEMP FOR YOUR FAMILY |
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| Comfortemp's Pantented Technology Enhances Axillary Temperature-Taking |
ComforTemp Offers Parents Accuracy, Ease Found in Hospital Devices
November 17, 1997-The First Years® (NASDAQ: KIDD), a leading marketer of products for infants and toddlers introduces ComforTempTM, the world's first instant, underarm thermometer designed for patient use at home. ComforTemp utilizes the patented, infrared temperature-taking technology already used by many of the nation's leading hospitals and neonatal units. With ComforTemp, this technology is available to consumers for the first time.
In just seconds, ComforTemp's unique infrared sensor accurately reads body temperature at the axilla (underarm). The axillary approach eliminates the discomfort of invasive temperature-taking methods, such as rectal thermometers. This speed and ease of use make ComforTemp ideal for measuring the temperatures of newborns, infants, and young children.
Many medical professionals prefer axillary thermometers because they offer safer, more comfortable, and more hygienic temperature-taking than oral or rectal thermometers. In addition, axillary thermometers are easier to use and more comfortable than tympanic (ear) thermometers.
Designed in consultation with T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., and the Child Development Unit at The Children's Hospital (Boston), ComforTemp utilizes an optical sensor that actually "sees" the infrared heat radiation emitted by the body. At the same time, ComforTemp automatically corrects for factors such as ambient temperature and the presence of moisture, which can affect an infrared measurement at the axilla. |
This technology was created and patented by Exergen Corporation. Exergen's professional version of ComforTemp is used in pediatric units of teaching hospitals and leading medical centers across the country.
"Hospitals have clearly seen the benefits of instant, infrared, axillary thermometry," says Marybeth Pompei, chief clinical scientist and vice president of Exergen. "We're proud to be working with The First Years to offer parents and children the same benefits at home."
Physicians have relied on axillary temperature-taking for more than 150 years, and clinical studies have confirmed the usefulness of this approach compared to other methods. For example, a prospective study published recently in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (1996:150:74-78), concluded "that the axillary temperature can be measured safely at any age and that it gives a good indicator of the rectal temperature if 1°C is added."
While ComforTemp's infrared, axillary approach to temperature-taking has been proven in clinical use, the thermometer also was developed to meet the needs of parents. For example, ComforTemp features an innovative, ergonomic design that makes it easy for a parent to take a child's temperature, using only one hand.
"A great deal of thought went into the design of ComforTemp," says Alma Bair, The First Years senior category manager responsible for ComforTemp. "From our initial discussions with parents to the testing we conducted in The First Years laboratories, our goal was to create a thermometer that let parents devote more attention to their child - and less to the operation of a product."
The focus on ease-of-use and clinical accuracy guided the entire product development effort, according to David Zapcic, The First Years® director of integrated marketing communication. "In developing ComforTemp, we listened to the professional community, who convinced us of the sound science behind this thermometer," he says. "We also listened to parents, and found they were asking for an accurate thermometer that also was comfortable enough to use regularly with their children. We believe ComforTemp is a terrific answer to parents' long-standing needs."
The First Years Inc., based in Avon, Mass., is a leading worldwide marketer of products for infants and toddlers. The extensive product lines include more than 300 items in categories such as Feeding & Soothing, Play & Discover, and Care & Safety. |
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| ComforTemp is available at retailers nationwide. For more information, consumers can call The First Years Parent Service Center toll-free at 800/533-6708. |
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| Note: The First Years and ComforTemp are trademarks of The First Years Inc. |
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| e-mail: medical@exergen.com |
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