Ear temperature monitor and method of temperature measurement
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A continuous body core temperature monitor comprises a pliable ear plug that conforms to the shape of an ear canal and incorporates a temperature sensor that is clamped between the plug and the ear canal wall. The external surface of the plug is connected to an external temperature sensor and a heating element that compensate for a heat lost from the ear canal to the environment by maintaining the temperature gradient between the temperature sensor and the heating element close to zero.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Canceled.
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2. Canceled.
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3. Canceled.
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4. Canceled.
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5. Canceled.
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6. Canceled.
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7. Canceled.
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8. Canceled.
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9. Canceled.
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10. Canceled.
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11. Canceled.
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12. Canceled.
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13. Canceled.
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14. Canceled.
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15. Canceled.
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16. Canceled.
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17. Canceled.
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18. A temperature sensing device for monitoring an internal temperature of a subject, comprising:
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an enclosure configured to be in contact with a surface of the subject;
at least one temperature transducer thermally insulated from said enclosure and configured to be thermally attached to the subject for detecting a surface temperature of the subject;
a temperature sensor thermally coupled to said enclosure;
a thermal insulator positioned between said temperature transducer and said temperature sensor;
an electronic module connected to said temperature transducer and said temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. The method for continuous monitoring of the internal temperature of a subject, comprising:
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attaching a temperature sensor to a thermally conductive enclosure;
insulating a temperature transducer from the enclosure and from the temperature sensor;
securing the enclosure on a surface of the subject;
measuring the temperature of the surface using the temperature transducer;
computing an internal temperature of the subject using signals from the temperature transducer and the temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A method for continuous monitoring of the internal temperature of a subject, comprising:
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attaching a temperature sensor to a thermally conductive enclosure and to a heater;
insulating a temperature transducer from the enclosure, the heater and the temperature sensor;
securing the enclosure on a surface of the subject;
measuring the temperature of the surface using the temperature transducer;
generating heat with the heater at a rate that minimizes a temperature gradient between the temperature sensor and the temperature transducer;
computing an internal temperature of the subject using signals from the temperature sensor and the temperature transducer.
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Specification