TEMPERATURE PROBE SUITABLE FOR AXILLARY READING

• US 20120029310A1
• Filed: 07/27/2010
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Raptis, Mark, Paquet, Pierre, Diallo, Binta
• Granted Patent: US 9,420,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0271 Thermal or temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6813 Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part A61B5/6802 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

Systems and methods of monitoring the axillary temperature of a person are disclosed. A portion of a temperature probe is provided within the axilla of the person. The temperature probe includes a wiring portion and a body connection portion and a sensing portion between the wiring and body connection portions. The sensing portion comprises a temperature sensing element. The wiring portion is coupled to a monitoring device and comprises a conductor having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the temperature sensing element, and the second end connected to the monitoring device. At least a portion of the body connection portion is attached to a second body portion of the person, such that the sensing portion is retained within the axilla.

Claims

1. A temperature probe for axillary temperature reading of a person, comprising:

a sensing portion configured for placement within the axilla of a person and having a first end and a second end, the sending portion comprising a temperature sensing element configured to provide a signal responsive to a change in body temperature of the person;

a wiring portion having one end connected to the first end of the sensing portion and comprising an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor having a first end configured for coupling to a monitoring device, and a second end connected to the temperature sensing element, the electrical connector configured to carry the signal from the temperature sensing element to the monitoring device; and

a body connection portion having one end connected to the second end of the sensing portion and configured to be attached to another body portion of the person.

2. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the sensing, wiring and body connection portions comprise a flexible cable.

3. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the sensing portion comprises a first cable and the body connection portion comprises a second cable.

4. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is a vital-sign monitoring patch.

5. The temperature probe of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive element coupled to the body connection portion of the flexible cable and configured to attach the body connection portion to the person'"'"'s body.

6. The temperature probe of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive element coupled to the wiring portion of the flexible cable and configured to attach the wiring portion to the person'"'"'s body.

7. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the wiring portion comprises at least one coiled section.

8. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the body connection portion comprises at least one coiled section acting as a spring.

9. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing element comprises a thermocouple.

10. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing element comprises a thermistor.

11. The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensing element comprises a resistance temperature detector (RTD), the RTD comprising platinum.

12. A system for body temperature monitoring of a person through axillary measurement, comprising:

a temperature probe comprising a cable and a temperature sensing element, configured such that the temperature sensing element is to be retained in the axilla of the person at least during body temperature monitoring; and

a monitoring device worn by the person and connected to the cable, the monitoring device receiving signals from the temperature sensing element, the monitoring device including a wireless communication system to wirelessly transmit readings representative of sensed body temperatures of the person as determined by the monitoring device based on the signals received from the temperature sensing element.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the monitoring device is a vital-sign monitor patch, the monitor patch configured to measure body temperature and at least one other vital sign of the person wearing the monitor patch.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one other vital sign comprises at least one of pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the temperature probe comprises a wiring portion and a body connection portion and a sensing portion between the wiring and body connection portions, the sensing portion comprising the temperature sensing element.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising an adhesive element coupled to the body connection portion and configured to attach the body connection portion to the person'"'"'s body.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the wiring and body connection portions of the temperature probe comprises a coiled section.

18. A method of monitoring the axillary temperature of a person, comprising:

providing a portion of a temperature probe within the axilla of the person, the temperature probe comprising a wiring portion and a body connection portion and a sensing portion between the wiring and body connection portions, the sensing portion comprising a temperature sensing element, the wiring portion coupled to a monitoring device and comprising a conductor having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the temperature sensing element, and the second end connected to the monitoring device; and

attaching at least a portion of the body connection portion to a second body portion of the person, such that the sensing portion is retained within the axilla.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising wirelessly transmitting readings representative of sensed body temperatures of the person as determined by the monitoring device based on the signals received from the temperature sensing element.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the monitoring device is a vital-sign monitoring patch, the monitor patch configured to measure body temperature and at least one other vital sign of the person wearing the monitor patch.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one other vital sign comprises at least one of pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.