A Medical Device Daily

Kidz-Med (Weston, Florida), a subsidiary of American Scientific Resources (Weston, Florida), a supplier of the Thermofocus 5-in-1 thermometer, along with Tecnimed (Sterling Heights, Michigan), the manufacturer of the Thermofocus, each are denying allegations that the non-contact thermometer has infringed on U.S. patents owned by Exergen (Watertown, Massachusetts).

The companies said the patented Thermofocus 5-in-1 is the first clinical thermometer in the world that makes absolutely no contact with the skin in order to take a temperature at a distance from the forehead. It has an exclusive optical aiming system that allows the user to easily and quickly position the device at the correct and constant distance from the skin.

It was included in an independent clinical study conducted by the University of Milan (Milan, Italy) in 2007, which proved that the infrared device measures body temperature safely and accurately at different places on the body (including the forehead) without any skin contact.

A Kidz-Med spokesman said that the company is mounting what it considers to be a strong defense to these allegations and intends to do so vigorously.

Tecnimed manufactures and sells the Thermofocus 5-in-1 throughout the world to various entities. Kidz-Med distributes the Thermofocus nationwide through Walgreens (Deerfield, Illinois) and online retail sites and Kidzmed.com.