Fiber Optic Temperature Probes 'Go Where Others Can't'

Scientists and instrument development companies are puzzled to find the appropriate means to provide accurate, long-term stable temperature measurements in environments where there are harsh chemicals or plasma, or in systems that use magnetrons or microwave energy. Standard thermocouples and RTD, even when "shielded," can not provide the accuracy or durability when they are known to corrode and drift over time.

Using fiber optics, the LumiTherm(R) 500 instrument (manufactured by IPITEK, Carlsbad , CA) has probes that can go inside catheters for interventional cardiology, oncology and radiology applications, and, in particular, thermal therapy, RF and cryo ablation protocols where temperature monitoring is crucial. IPITEK's patented technology provides temperature measurements which are unaffected by other variables such as light or pressure. The continuous data collection provides data logged in ASCII format or charted on-line using LabView software. The unit offers Max and Min Alarms for endpoint analysis and feedback loops to program additional processing steps. We invite you to see our recently featured article in Sensor Magazine this last month http://www.sensorsmag.com/articles/0802/28/.

The probes' small thermal mass of only 400 or 250 microns eliminates the "heat sink" effect seen with thermocouples. Also, the small size allows the probe to go into tight and narrow or remote places. Since no metal parts means it is suitable to use in conjunction with light-guided therapies using MRI, PET and they can go into high magnetic or electric fields and be used with electrosurgical equipment. Industrial applications include: monitoring transformer windings, electrovoltage deposition applications, continuous process monitoring of VOCs, validation protocols for sterilizers and bioreactors, polymer curing or other processes that need protocol documentation and validation on line for temperatures between –40C to 400C.

IPITEK offers both surface contact and non-contact options for temperature measurement. The LumiTherm 500 is offered in single and multi-channel formats. The unit self-calibrates to NIST traceable standards when turned on.

IPITEK is an ISO 9001 manufacturer that works with OEM manufacturers and scientific and government labs nationwide.