Methodology to control/transfer of system thermal for medical peripherals

• US 20080154159A1
• Filed: 12/26/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Kwong, Wah Yiu, Wong, Hong W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,212,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/20
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/08 with bimetallic element

Abstract

This invention relates to the use of system thermal energy generated by equipment, such as an ultrasound sensing device, to transfer heat to the peripherals/sensors/probes under user control. This is accomplished by recycling the heat generated by the system and used that to keep the peripheral/sensor/probe warm.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising an embedded heating element to warm an exterior portion of the apparatus, wherein the heating element is heated using thermal energy generated by the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user temperature preference control to set a level of comfort at the exterior portion of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the exterior portion of the apparatus is one of a sensor and probe.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heat transfer element and a device to generate the thermal energy, wherein the thermal energy is transferred to the heating element via the heat transfer element.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the thermal sensor in the peripheral baymonitors temperature and creates a feedback loop to control the transfer of thermal energy from a device located in the apparatus to the heating element via a heat transfer element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bi-metal element to control the flow of heat from the source to the peripheral bay.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is one of a stethoscope, a blood pressure monitor, ultrasound transceiver and any device that touches the skin of a patient.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the stethoscope, blood pressure monitor and ultrasound transceiver and any device that touches the skin of a patient. are configured as wireless devices and communicate data recorded using a wireless protocol.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 also uses a build in heating element to warm up the apparatus before the system able to generate sufficient heat to keep the apparatus warm.

9. A method, comprising providing an embedded heating element to warm an exterior portion of the apparatus, wherein the heating element is heated using thermal energy generated by the apparatus.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a user temperature preference control to set a level of comfort at the exterior portion of the apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the exterior portion of the apparatus is one of a sensor, probe or ultrasound transceiver and any device that touches the skin of a patient.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a heat transfer element and a device to generate the thermal energy, wherein the thermal energy is transferred to the heating element via the heat transfer element.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the sensor or probe monitors temperature and creates a feedback loop to control the transfer of thermal energy from a device located in the apparatus to the heating element via a heat transfer element.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a bi-metal element to prevent overheating of the heat element.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is one of a stethoscope, a blood pressure monitor, ultrasound transceiver and any device that will be in contact with the skin of a patient or person.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the stethoscope, blood pressure monitor, ultrasound transceiver and any device that will be in contact with the skin of a patient or person are configured as wireless devices and communicate data recorded using a wireless protocol.