ARC Devices will go to market with its forthcoming connected, contact-free thermometer via partnerships with telehealth vendor VSee and remote patient monitoring company Ideal Life.

Boca Raton, Florida-based ARC Devices launched its digital infrared thermometer, called InstaTemp, last fall. But the current version of the device isn't connected -- it displays temperature readings on a screen on the device.

"It takes 2,500 readings from your forehead, it gets rid of the outliers," ARC Director of Marketing Elizabeth Gross told MobiHealthNews. "It breaks it down to 15 surface temperatures, two ambient temperatures, and then puts it through our floating point algorithm which was proprietary and developed specifically for this application, and it outputs a clinically accurate core body temperature. It saves time, saves cost, reduces infection, it’s a much more pleasant experience for both the physician and the patient. And with connectivity the implications are even greater, because now you’re collecting data, you’re cutting out middlemen."

Bluetooth and WiFi versions of InstaTemp, due out in Q4, will be rolled out as part of Ideal Life's home remote patient monitoring system and VSee's multiscreen video telemedicine software. VSee is known for providing live video conversations with the International Space Station for NASA. 

"Everyone is looking for connected devices, but a lot of people don’t know what to connect them to," Gross said. "All of these services are now finally at a place where they’re able to support connected devices and organize it in a realistic way."

The thermometer is just the first step, Gross said. ARC is working on a multi-vital sign device that will be rolled out through the same partnership channels. 

"We are currently in development to build a multivital sign device that will be able to read your pulse, blood pressure, temperature, two-lead EKG in about 8 seconds, just holding it in your hand and touching your finger to it -- with wireless connectivity," Gross said.