Zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement system
First Claim
1. A temperature measurement system for measuring temperature, comprising:
- a probe comprising;
a first substrate and a second substrate, the first and second substrates sandwiching a first thermally insulating material,a first thermal sensor disposed on the first substrate, anda second thermal sensor disposed on the second substrate;
an information switch,a control unit configured to;
receive first voltage signal from the first thermal sensor and a second voltage signal from the second thermal sensor;
determine a first magnitude of resistance from the first voltage signal and a second magnitude of resistance from the second voltage signal;
determine, using calibration information from a programmable memory device, a first temperature parameter from the first magnitude of resistance and a second temperature parameter from the second magnitude of resistance;
determine a deep tissue temperature value based on a relationship between the first temperature parameter and the second temperature parameter;
converting the deep tissue temperature value to a resistance signal that would be produced by a thermistor in response to the same temperature; and
providing the resistance signal through an output jack; and
wherein the control unit includes probe control logic, and wherein the information switch has a first state in which the information switch is operative to connect thermal sensor signals from the probe signal interface cable to the probe control logic and a second state in which the information switch is operative to connect programmable memory device information from the probe signal interface cable to the probe control logic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement system measures internal body temperature by way of a probe having a heater and thermal sensors arranged in a zero-heat-flux construction. The measurement system includes control mechanization that determines heater and skin temperatures based upon data obtained from the probe and uses those temperatures to calculate a deep tissue temperature. The measurement system includes a signal interface cable having a connector where a probe can be releasably connected to the system. The cable and attached connector are a removable and replaceable part of the system, separate from the probe. The measurement system provides an output signal imitating a standard input signal configuration used by other equipment.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A temperature measurement system for measuring temperature, comprising:
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a probe comprising; a first substrate and a second substrate, the first and second substrates sandwiching a first thermally insulating material, a first thermal sensor disposed on the first substrate, and a second thermal sensor disposed on the second substrate; an information switch, a control unit configured to; receive first voltage signal from the first thermal sensor and a second voltage signal from the second thermal sensor; determine a first magnitude of resistance from the first voltage signal and a second magnitude of resistance from the second voltage signal; determine, using calibration information from a programmable memory device, a first temperature parameter from the first magnitude of resistance and a second temperature parameter from the second magnitude of resistance; determine a deep tissue temperature value based on a relationship between the first temperature parameter and the second temperature parameter; converting the deep tissue temperature value to a resistance signal that would be produced by a thermistor in response to the same temperature; and providing the resistance signal through an output jack; and wherein the control unit includes probe control logic, and wherein the information switch has a first state in which the information switch is operative to connect thermal sensor signals from the probe signal interface cable to the probe control logic and a second state in which the information switch is operative to connect programmable memory device information from the probe signal interface cable to the probe control logic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A temperature measurement system, comprising:
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a measurement probe, a first thermal sensor operative to sense a first temperature, a second thermal sensor operative to sense a second temperature, and a connector; a processing unit comprising; a controller, a thermistor emulator, an emulator output jack, and an information switch, a probe signal interface cable configured to be electrically connected to the measurement probe and the processing unit; a programmable memory device; wherein the thermistor emulator operative to provide an emulator output signal at the emulator output jack; and wherein the information switch has a first state in which the information switch is operative to connect thermal sensor signals from the probe signal interface cable to the controller and a second state in which the information switch is operative to connect programmable memory device information from the probe signal interface cable to the controller and to connect information from the controller to the programmable memory device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification