TEMPERATURE PATCH AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

• US 20080137709A1
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Corcoran, Clare L., Quinn, David E., Meyerson, Craig M., Martin, Scott A., Lane, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/121
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 17/002 for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus for humans A61B10/0012
• 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 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0893 Arrangements to attach devices to a pyrometer, i.e. attaching an optical interface; Spatial relative arrangement of optical elements, e.g. folded beam path G01J5/049 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/18 for reducing thermal inertia
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/25 Protective devices therefor, e.g. sleeves preventing contamination

Abstract

A patch having an infrared (IR) target is placed proximate to the surface of a mammal. The patch may include an insulator for protecting the target from exterior, ambient IR and may include bar codes or other indicia uniquely associated with either the patch or the mammal. The patch may also include a bio-reactive agent for indicating characteristics such as the pH of the mammal'"'"'s skin. The patch may also include a thermometer for sensing the level of IR radiation from the IR target and may include a display of the temperature associated with such a level. The patch may also include a transmitter for wirelessly communicating information about such level to a remote location. A method of using the patch is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A patch adapted for placement proximate to a surface region of a mammal, said patch including:

a. an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from said surface region and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to said surface region, the characteristics of infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region; and

b. an insulator for protecting said target from the thermal effects of media adjacent to, but different from, said surface region.

2. A patch according to claim 1 further including an adhesive for selectively, removably securing said target in a placement proximate to said surface region.

3. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said insulator includes a foam structure.

4. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said patch is configured substantially as a circular disk, wherein said insulator includes a substantially ring-shaped foam structure possessing a central aperture and disposed adjacent to said target such that infrared radiation emitted by said target may pass through the central aperture of said foam structure.

5. A patch according to claim 4 wherein said insulator further includes a substantially transparent sheet disposed over said central aperture.

6. A patch according to claim 1 including indicia uniquely associated with said patch.

7. A patch according to claim 6 wherein said indicia is essentially visible to the human eye.

8. A patch according to claim 6 wherein said indicia is essentially invisible to the human eye.

9. A patch according to claim 6 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of a bar code or other pattern adapted to be recognized by a machine, an RFID) device, a photodiode, a magnetic medium, and physical deformation of a portion of the patch.

10. A patch according to claim 1 including indicia uniquely associated with a particular location on the mammal where said patch is to be placed.

11. A patch according to claim 10 wherein said indicia is essentially visible to the human eye.

12. A patch according to claim 10 wherein said indicia is essentially invisible to the human eye.

13. A patch according to claim 10 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of a bar code or other pattern adapted to be recognized by a machine, an RFID device, a photodiode, a magnetic medium, and physical deformation of a portion of the patch.

14. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said patch includes a bio-reactive agent having a characteristic that is capable of being detectively altered in the presence of a pre-selected bio-chemical property of said surface region.

15. A patch according to claim 14 wherein said property is essentially the pH value of said surface region.

16. A patch according to claim 14 wherein said bio-reactive agent characteristic is capable of being altered in a manner detectable through spectroscopy.

17. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said target possesses a substantially wafer shape and wherein the thickness of said target is within the range of about 0.5-10 one-thousandths of an inch.

18. A patch according to claim 17 wherein the thickness of said target is within the range of about 0.5-3 one-thousandths of an inch.

19. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said patch possesses a substantially wafer shape and wherein the thickness of said patch is less than about one-sixth of an inch.

20. A patch according to claim 1 further including an infrared thermometer disposed proximate to said target for sensing infrared radiation emitted by said target.

21. A patch according to claim 1 further including an infrared thermometer adapted to be selectively disposed proximate to said target for sensing infrared radiation emitted by said target.

22. A patch according to claim 4 further including an infrared thermometer disposed within said central aperture for sensing infrared radiation emitted by said target.

23. A patch according to claim 4 further including an infrared thermometer selectively disposed within said central aperture for sensing infrared radiation emitted by said target.

24. A patch according to claim 4 further including an infrared thermometer disposed so as to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target and passing through said central aperture.

25. A patch according to claim 4 further including an infrared thermometer selectively disposed so as to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target and passing through said central aperture.

26. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said target and said insulator are flexible so as to permit said patch to adapt and conform to the contour of said surface region.

27. A patch according to claim 1 wherein said target and said insulator are adapted to be disposable and are fashioned of essentially biodegradable materials.

28. A patch adapted for placement proximate to a surface region of a mammal, said patch including:

a. an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from said surface region and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to said surface region, the characteristics of infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region;

b. means for selectively maintaining said target in a position proximate to a surface region of a mammal; and

c. indicia uniquely associated with said patch.

29. A patch according to claim 28 wherein said indicia is essentially visible to the human eye.

30. A patch according to claim 28 wherein said indicia is essentially invisible to the human eye.

31. A patch according to claim 28 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of a bar code or other pattern adapted to be recognized by a machine, an RFID device, a photodiode, a magnetic medium, and physical deformation of a portion of the patch.

32. A patch according to claim 28 wherein said patch includes a bio-reactive agent having a characteristic that is capable of being detectively altered in the presence of a pre-selected bio-chemical property of said surface region.

33. A patch according to claim 32 wherein said property is essentially the pH value of said surface region.

34. A patch according to claim 32 wherein said bio-reactive agent characteristic is capable of being altered in a manner detectable through spectroscopy.

35. A patch according to claim 28 further including indicia uniquely associated with a particular location on the mammal where said patch is to be placed.

36. A patch according to claim 28 wherein said target is flexible so as to permit said patch to adapt and conform to the contour of said surface region.

37. A patch according to claim 28 wherein said target and said maintaining means are adapted to be disposable and are fashioned of essentially biodegradable materials.

38. A patch adapted for placement proximate to a surface region of a mammal, said patch including:

a. an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from said surface region and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to said surface region, the characteristics of infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region; and

b. indicia uniquely associated with said patch.

39. A patch according to claim 38 wherein indicia is essentially visible to the human eye.

40. A patch according to claim 38 wherein said indicia is essentially invisible to the human eye.

41. A patch according to claim 38 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of a bar code or other pattern adapted to be recognized by a machine, an RFID device, a photodiode, a magnetic medium, and physical deformation of a portion of the patch.

42. A patch according to claim 38 wherein said patch includes a bio-reactive agent having a characteristic that is capable of being detectively altered in the presence of a pre-selected bio-chemical property of said surface region.

43. A patch according to claim 42 wherein said property is essentially the pH value of said surface region.

44. A patch according to claim 42 wherein said bio-reactive agent characteristic is capable of being altered in a manner detectable through spectroscopy.

45. A patch according to claim 38 further including indicia uniquely associated with a particular location on the mammal where said patch is to be placed.

46. A patch according to claim 38 wherein said target is flexible so as to permit said patch to adapt and conform to the contour of said surface region.

47. A patch according to claim 38 wherein said target is adapted to be disposable and is fashioned of essentially biodegradable material.

48. A method of monitoring the body temperature of a mammal, comprising:

a. providing at least one patch, each of said at least one patches including (1) an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from a surface region of the mammal and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to a said surface region, the characteristics of an infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region, and (2) an insulator for protecting said target from thermal effects of media adjacent to, but different from, said surface region;

b. placing at least one of said patches proximate to a respective associated surface region of the mammal;

c. providing at least one infrared thermometer adapted to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches; and

d. repeatedly using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches and to correlate said sensed infrared radiation to an associated temperature.

49. A method of monitoring according to claim 48, further comprising:

sequentially recording the associated temperatures obtained from using said at least one thermometer such that a trend of the body temperature of the mammal is maintained.

50. A method of monitoring according to claim 48 wherein in step (b) at least two of said patches are each placed proximate to a respective associated surface of the mammal.

51. A method of monitoring according to claim 48 further comprising wirelessly transmitting either information about the infrared radiation sensed by said at least one thermometer or information about said associated temperature to a remote location where said sequentially recording occurs.

52. A method of monitoring the body temperature of a mammal, comprising:

a. providing at least one patch, each of said at least one patches including (1) an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from a surface region of the mammal and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to a said surface region, the characteristics of an infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region, (2) means for selectively maintaining said target in a position proximate to a surface region of a mammal, and (3) indicia uniquely associated with said patch;

b. placing at least one of said patches proximate to a respective associated surface region of the mammal;

c. providing at least one infrared thermometer adapted to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches; and

d. repeatedly using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches and to correlate said sensed infrared radiation to an associated temperature.

53. A method of monitoring according to claim 52, further comprising:

sequentially recording the associated temperatures obtained from using said at least one thermometer such that a trend of the body temperature of the mammal is maintained.

54. A method of monitoring according to claim 52 wherein in step (b) at least two of said patches are each placed proximate to a respective associated surface of the mammal.

55. A method of monitoring according to claim 52 further comprising wirelessly transmitting either information about the infrared radiation sensed by said at least one thermometer or information about said associated temperature to a remote location where said sequentially recording occurs.

56. A method of monitoring the body temperature of a mammal, comprising:

a. providing at least one patch, each of said at least one patches including (1) an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from a surface region of the mammal and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to a said surface region, the characteristics of an infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region, and (2) indicia uniquely associated with said patch;

b. placing at least one of said patches proximate to a respective associated surface region of the mammal;

c. providing at least one infrared thermometer adapted to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches; and

d. repeatedly using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches and to correlate said sensed infrared radiation to an associated temperature.

57. A method of monitoring according to claim 56, further comprising:

sequentially recording the associated temperatures obtained from using said at least one thermometer such that a trend of the body temperature of the mammal is maintained.

58. A method of monitoring according to claim 56 wherein in step (b) at least two of said patches are each placed proximate to a respective associated surface of the mammal.

59. A method of monitoring according to claim 56 further comprising wirelessly transmitting either information about the infrared radiation sensed by said at least one thermometer or information about said associated temperature to a remote location where said sequentially recording occurs.

60. A method of monitoring the body temperature associated with each of at least two mammals, comprising:

a. providing at least two patches, each of said at least two patches including (1) an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from a surface region of the mammal and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to said surface region, the characteristics of infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region, and (2) indicia uniquely associated with said patch;

b. placing at least one of said patches proximate to a respective associated surface region of each one of the mammals;

c. providing at least one infrared thermometer adapted to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of said at least one of said at least two patches on each one of the mammals;

d. repeatedly using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of said at least two patches placed proximate to a respective associated surface region of each of the mammals and to correlate said sensed infrared radiation to an associated temperature; and

e. correlating the indicia uniquely associated with each of said at least two patches with the associated temperature obtained from using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted from said target of said associated patch placed proximate to a respective associated surface region of each of the mammals.

61. A method of monitoring according to claim 60 further comprising:

sequentially recording the associated temperatures obtained from using said at least one thermometer such that a trend of the body temperature of each one of the mammals is maintained.

62. A method of monitoring according to claim 60 further comprising wirelessly transmitting either information about the infrared radiation sensed by said at least one thermometer or information about said associated temperature to a remote location where said sequentially recording occurs.

63. A method of using a medium having a substantially known infrared emissivity property to determine the body temperature of a mammal comprising:

a. placing said medium proximate to a surface region of the mammal;

b. sensing the infrared radiation emitted from said medium; and

c. correlating said sensed infrared radiation with an associated temperature.

64. A method of using a medium according to claim 63 wherein said medium possesses a substantially wafer shape having a surface adapted to conform with the contour of the surface region and wherein said medium is placed such that said medium surface is disposed conformingly proximate to the surface region.

65. A method of using a medium according to claim 63 wherein said medium also has an associated bio-reactive agent possessing a characteristic that is capable of being detectively altered in the presence of a pre-selected bio-chemical property of the surface region and wherein the method further comprises:

detecting an alteration of the agent.

66. A method of using a medium having a substantially known infrared emissivity property to determine the body temperature of a mammal comprising:

a. step for placing said medium proximate to a surface region of the mammal;

b. step for sensing the infrared radiation emitted from said medium; and

c. step for correlating said sensed infrared radiation with an associated temperature.

67. A method of using a medium according to claim 66 wherein said medium possesses a substantially wafer shape having a surface adapted to conform with the contour of the surface region and wherein said medium is placed such that said medium surface is disposed conformingly proximate to the surface region.

68. A method of using a medium according to claim 66 wherein said medium also has an associated bio-reactive agent possessing a characteristic that is capable of being detectively altered in the presence of a pre-selected bio-chemical property of the surface region and wherein the method further comprises:

step for detecting an alteration of the agent.

69. A method of monitoring the body temperature of a mammal, comprising:

a. providing at least one patch, each of said at least one patches including an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from a surface region of the mammal and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to a said surface region, the characteristics of an infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region;

b. placing at least one of said patches proximate to a respective associated surface region of the mammal;

c. providing at least one infrared thermometer adapted to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches; and

d. repeatedly using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of at least one of said at least one patches and to correlate said sensed infrared radiation to an associated temperature.

70. A method of monitoring according to claim 69, further comprising:

sequentially recording the associated temperatures obtained from using said at least one thermometer such that a trend of the body temperature of the mammal is maintained.

71. A method of monitoring according to claim 70 wherein in step (b) at least two of said patches are each placed proximate to a respective associated surface of the mammal.

72. A method of monitoring according to claim 70 further comprising wirelessly transmitting either information about the infrared radiation sensed by said at least one thermometer or information about said associated temperature to a remote location where said sequentially recording occurs.

73. A method of monitoring the body temperature associated with each of at least two mammals, comprising:

a. providing at least two patches, each of said at least two patches including an infrared target for receiving thermal energy from a surface region of the mammal and for emitting infrared radiation according to a substantially known emissivity property whereby, when said target is placed proximate to said surface region, the characteristics of infrared radiation emitted by said target substantially correspond to the temperature of said surface region;

b. placing each of said at least two patches proximate to a respective associated surface region of an associated one of the at least two mammals;

c. providing at least one infrared thermometer adapted to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of each of said at least two patches when said patches are placed proximate to a respective associated surface region of the associated mammal; and

d. repeatedly using said at least one thermometer to sense infrared radiation emitted by said target of said at least two patches when said patches are placed proximate to a respective associated surface region of the associated mammal and to correlate said sensed infrared radiation to an associated temperature.

74. A method of monitoring according to claim 73 further comprising:

sequentially recording the associated temperatures obtained from using said at least one thermometer such that a trend of the body temperature of each one of the mammals is maintained.

75. A method of monitoring according to claim 73 further comprising wirelessly transmitting either information about the infrared radiation sensed by said at least one thermometer or information about said associated temperature to a remote location where said sequentially recording occurs.