Sensor

• US 20050267382A1
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Heald, Warrick, Church, Jonathan Mark, Prime, Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/122,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267382A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/16 Special arrangements for conducting heat from the object to the sensitive element
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Hydrogel cover for a temperature sensor. The sensor can be used on infants in a radiant warmer and/or incubator. In a first embodiment the sensor is fully enclosed by the Hydrogel. In a second embodiment the sensor may be removed through a releasable cover. This results in improved thermal response and/or accuracy.

Claims

1. A system for determining the temperature of a patieint'"'"'s skin comprising:

an adhesive polymer matrix configured to adhere to a portion of said patient'"'"'s skin,

a receptacle for a temperature sensor at least part thermally contacting said polymer matrix, and

a thermally reflective or shielding panel on the opposite side of said receptacle to that which would in use be proximate the skin of said patient.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is enclosed by said panel, enclosed by said polymer matrix or enclosed by a combination of said panel and said polymer matrix.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 flier comprising a temperature sensor within said receptacle.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said patient is an infant.

5. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said polymer matrix in use adhered to said panel.

6. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensor including an electrical connection and said polymer matrix in use adhered to said connection.

7. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said polymer matrix in use adhered to said sensor.

8. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said panel further comprising a radiant shield, and thermal insulation between said shield and said sensor.

9. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said polymer matrix is a polymerizerable polymer Hydrogel.

10. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensor is fully encapsulated by said polymer matrix.

11. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said polymer matrix includes a detachable lid to encapsulate said sensor.

12. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lid includes a loop fastening portion.

13. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lid is comprised of a further portion of said polymer matrix which adheres to the main portion thereby encapsulating said sensor.

14. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensor is a flat disc type sensor.

15. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said shield is mylar foil.

16. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said mylar foil is 0.025 mm thick.

17. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said insulation is foam.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said foam is similar or the same in thickness to said sensor or laid receptacle.