Exhibit 23


                    Consent of Independent Public Accountants


        As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
   incorporation by reference of our reports dated February 7, 1996 (except
   with respect to the matters discussed in Note 15 as to which the date is
   February 9, 1996), included in or incorporated by reference into Thermedics
   Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 1995, and
   into the Company's previously filed Registration Statement No. 2-93746 on
   Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-00183 on Form S-8, Registration
   Statement No. 2-93747 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-8992 on
   Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-31621 on Form S-8, Registration
   Statement No. 33-9215 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-43707 on
   Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-40866 on Form S-3, Registration
   Statement No. 33-64070 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-86972 on
   Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-86974 on Form S-8 and Registration
   Statement No. 033-65279 on Form S-8.



                                           Arthur Andersen LLP

   Boston, Massachusetts
   March 8, 1996