Measuring system and method for the contactless determination of the body core temperature

• US 20050271117A1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Draeger Safety Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Safety Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Koch, Jochim, Grassl, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US11/108,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20050271117A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/121
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/106 Arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0022 for sensing the radiation of moving bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/10 using electric radiation detectors

Abstract

A measuring system and method for the contactless and continuous determination of the body core temperature of a person/subject preferably includes a matrix-like infrared sensor (3) that is directed toward the nose-side area of the canthus. The infrared sensor (3) is connected with an evaluating unit (5) for the evaluation of the infrared signals and the selection of the maximum in the matrix. The evaluating unit (5) is connected with a computing unit (6) for the calculation of the body core temperature from the maximum determined and for displaying via a display (7) and/or transmission of the measured signals and/or the calculated value for the body core temperature.

Claims

1. A measuring system for the contactless determination of the body core temperature of a person, the measuring system comprising:

an infrared sensor directed toward the nose-side area of the canthus of the person;

an evaluating unit, said infrared sensor being connected with said evaluating unit for the evaluation of the infrared signal;

a computing unit, said evaluating unit being connected with said computing unit for a calculation of a body core temperature of the person from the infrared signal determined; and

output means for providing an output of the measured signals and/or of the calculated value for the body core temperature.

2. A measuring system according to claim 1, wherein said output means includes one of a display and a transmitter displaying and/or transmitting the measured signals and/or the calculated value for the body core temperature.

3. A measuring system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the infrared sensor comprises a matrix-like sensor for sensing discrete regions of the nose-side area of the canthus of the person, said evaluating unit selecting a maximum sensed region in the matrix, and the computing unit determines the body core temperature from the maximum.

4. A measuring system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the infrared sensor is arranged in a breathing mask or on a helmet or on eye glasses.

5. A measuring system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the infrared sensor is arranged the bridge of the eyeglasses and directed toward the nose-side area of the canthus.

6. A measuring system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the infrared signal is evaluated as a function of the wavelength in reference to measurable biometric variables.

7. A measuring system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said measurable biometric variables comprise one of oxygen and/or CO₂ concentration in the blood.

8. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject, the method comprising:

directing an infrared sensor toward the nose-side area of the canthus of the subject to provide an infrared measurement signal;

calculating a body core temperature of the subject from the infrared signal; and

displaying or recording the calculated body core temperature.

9. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 8, wherein prior to said step of displaying or recording, said core temperature of the subject is transmitted from a location of the subject to a location for displaying or recording.

10. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 8, wherein prior to said step of calculating, said infrared measurement signal is transmitted from a location of the subject to a location for said step of calculating.

11. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 8, further comprising evaluating the infrared measurement signal using an evaluating unit, said infrared sensor being operatively connected with the evaluating unit

12. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 8, wherein the infrared sensor comprises a matrix-like sensor for sensing discrete regions of the nose-side area of the canthus of the subject and said infrared measurement signal comprises signal components corresponding to said discrete regions, said evaluating unit selecting a maximum sensed region in the matrix, and the computing unit determines the body core temperature from the maximum.

13. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 8, wherein the infrared sensor is arranged in a breathing mask or on a helmet or on eye glasses and said step of directing an infrared sensor toward the nose-side area of the canthus of the subject includes the subject donning or wearing the breathing mask, helmet or eye glasses.

14. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 11, wherein the infrared signal is evaluated as a function of the wavelength in reference to measurable biometric variables.

15. A method of determining a body core temperature of a subject according to claim 14, wherein said measurable biometric variables comprise one of oxygen and/or CO₂ concentration in the blood.

16. A measuring system for the contactless determination of the body core temperature of a subject, the measuring system comprising:

infrared sensor means for receiving infrared energy from the nose-side area of the canthus of the subject;

calculating means for calculating a body core temperature of the subject from the infrared signal; and

means for displaying or recording the calculated body core temperature.

17. A measuring system according to claim 16, further comprising transmitting means for transmitting the core temperature of the subject from a location of the subject to a location for displaying or recording.

18. A measuring system claim 16, further comprising transmitting means transmitting said infrared measurement signal from a location of the subject to a location of said calculating means.

19. A measuring system according to claim 16, further comprising an evaluating unit for evaluating said measurement signal prior to calculating said core temperature, said infrared sensor being operatively connected with the evaluating unit.

20. A measuring system according to claim 19, wherein the infrared sensor comprises a matrix-like sensor for sensing discrete regions of the nose-side area of the canthus of the subject and said infrared measurement signal comprises signal components corresponding to said discrete regions, said evaluating unit selecting a maximum sensed region in the matrix, and the computing means determining the body core temperature from the maximum.