Contact-Less Body Temperature Monitoring by Infrared Camera: Accuracy Preliminary Assessment

Accurate and non-invasive measurement of body temperature is crucial for early disease diagnosis, patient condition monitoring, and infection control in hospital environments. In this paper, we preliminary assess the accuracy of an embedded electronic system based on the MLX90640 thermal camera, with the final goal of integrating it in a hospital robot provided of an advanced and automated monitoring system. The MLX90640 thermal camera, combined with a specially developed algorithm, accurately measured patients' body temperature in a non-invasive and continuous manner, with a maximum absolute error equal to 0.2 °C. The preliminary results suggest that integrating the MLX90640 thermal camera into a device for vital signs monitoring represents a promising solution for efficient and reliable body temperature monitoring in hospital departments. The application of this technology could enhance the quality of healthcare, enabling timely interventions for patients.