50% of people with diabetes with normal vibratory sensitivity show impaired thermal sensitivity. This disorder first affects small peripheral nerve fibres in a manner that anticipates a later reduction of vibration sensitivity detectable by a biothesiometer. Thermoskin 2.0 allows to evaluate the thermal discrimination threshold, today’s most popular parameter to assess peripheral nervous system changes that may occur concomitantly with Diabetes Mellitus.
TermoSkin 2.0
Correct evaluation of thermal sensitivity in people with diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetic footmedical deviceProfessionalsscreening
A predictive disorder, not to be underestimated
It completes the equipment of specialized medical centres
The heated hammer’s faces and infrared thermometer, which detects the patient’s skin temperature, allow to evaluate the small peripheral nerve fibres’ response to warm and cold stimuli. After measuring the skin temperature, it is necessary to calibrate thermal variations to which the patient will be submitted in order to assess his/her Thermal Discrimination Thresholds.
In-depth look
The NEW TermoSkin 2.0 and UltraBiotesiometro greatly enhance the medical equipment available at Medical Offices, Diabetes Centres or Outpatient Podiatry Clinics. These devices are capable of performing advanced tests for early identification of a patient’s risk of developing foot ulcers and the need for more complex diagnostic evaluation.
By evaluating the reaction of small unmyelinated C (warm receptors – early affected by diabetes) and myelinated Ad (cold receptors) nerve fibres, the Thermal Threshold Test identifies the smallest temperature variance felt by the patient. An infrared skin thermometer on the back of the device permits to measure the patient’s skin temperature on the detection site, after which it will be possible to set the temperature difference (DT)
to be applied to the patient. The two heated hammer faces will display: the temperature measured by the appropriate thermometer (on the blue-band label), and the temperature set up by the Operator (on the red-band label), respectively.
The Thermal Discrimination Threshold will be determined by placing alternatively the two hammer faces on the detection site.
Testing can be completed by collecting the temperature difference (DT) between the feet displayed by the device. This simple confrontation test allows to identify ischemic, unilateral inflammatory, or neuropathic (Charcot) alterations so frequent in people with diabetes.
Dramatic improvements to skin temperature measurement response time and the subsequent adjustment of the hammer faces have reduced the execution time of the thermal sensitivity tests by more than 80% than its predecessor. An advanced technology has allowed to further reduce the device size and execution times, while ensuring ever so accurate and reliable measurements . The device is equipped with two powerful lithium-ion batteries that provide up to 100 hours of testing on a single charge.