No idea if the tech is new or not, but the ones from Exergen seem to be the leading variety.
Th maker does offer disposable covers for the tip, or they advocate wiping it with a standard alohol prep pad between patients. As many times as I’ve had one of them swiped across my forehead, I’ve never noticed use of a cover, so I can only assume the thing gets wiped when the room is cleaned up between patients.
Even if they don’t clean the tip between uses, it’s still probably one of the lowest-risk possible infection vectors you’ll encounter at the doctor’s office. The pen chained to the clipboard you used when you signed in - did the last person wash their hands after stopping at the restroom on the way in? :eek: