The germaphobe's non-contact thermometer

(Credit: Sharper Image)

Of all the shared items in any household, the personal thermometer may well be a germaphobe's worst nightmare. Just think about how it's used--on second thought, don't. But there may be a non-invasive answer to our fears.

The "Thermofocus" claims to be the first "non-contact medical thermometer," using infrared technology to take temperatures without ever touching skin. Just hold it "close to the forehead, navel, or armpit and line up the projected light beams," according to its product description, and you'll get a "totally hygienic" digital reading one second later. Music to our hypochondriac ears.