X

Images: Swallow that probe

In the wake of a player's death, more football teams are looking at a pill that monitors body temperature.
By Bill Detwiler, Contributor
14556.jpg
1 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

CorTemp

The sudden death of San Francisco 49er Thomas Herrion in August 2005, and the heat-induced death of Minnesota Viking Korey Stringer four years ago, have prompted NFL management to review training safety precautions.

Three NFL teams are using the CorTemp body temperature monitoring system from HQ Inc. of Palmetto, Fla., to track players while they train. CorTemp was devised in the 1980s by the Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center to monitor astronauts.

14557.jpg
2 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

the pill

Players swallow a capsule that contains a telemetry system, transmitting device and battery. While in the gastrointestinal tract, a crystal sensor vibrates at a frequency relative to the temperature of the body surrounding it.

This produces a signal, harmless to the body, that can be picked up by an external data recorder. The pill stays in the body for 24 hours or more and the battery works for about seven days. The pills cost around $30 each, depending on volume purchased.

14558.jpg
3 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

data recorder

HQ's CorTemp Miniaturized Ambulatory Data Recorder is a wireless device that picks up the signal from the body temperature sensor and converts it into a digital format. The results can be read in real time or saved for later evaluation.

14559.jpg
4 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

Eagles use CorTemp

The Philadelphia Eagles (right) have been using the CorTemp system to monitor their players for three years; the Jacksonville Jaguars have been using it for two years, and the Vikings are using it for the first time this year.

Grueling training and massive bodies can result in a dangerous rise in body temperature. For instance, Stringer's body temperature was recorded at 108 degrees Fahrenheit when he reached the hospital shortly before his death.

14560.jpg
5 of 5 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET

CorTemp system

The CorTemp system is also used in agriculture to track animal temperatures, in industry to maintain equipment temperature, and by the military to monitor the health of soldiers.

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos