SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR DETECTING A FEBRILE CONDITION

• US 20140135646A1
• Filed: 01/16/2014
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan C. Heller
• Original Assignee: Alan C. Heller
• Inventors: Heller, Alan C.
• Application Number:
  US14/157,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20140135646A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/549
• 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 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

Abstract

The invention is directed to a system and process for estimating a core body temperature of a human subject. The system includes mount, a body, and a heat trap having a temperature sensor. The mount is operable to secure the device to a toilet or adjacent surface. The body houses a microprocessor. The heat trap is distal to the body and is shaped to receive a liquid stream and contain the thermal energy therein. The heat trap comprises a low thermally conductive material. The temperature sensor is in communication with the microprocessor. The temperature sensor is associated with the heat trap and disposed proximate a surface of said heat trap, wherein the liquid stream is directed across the temperature sensor. The system optionally incorporates a processor and memory to store input of the temperature sensor and associate the input with a person, compare the input to historical records for the person, and determine a febrile condition for the person based on the input.

Claims

1. A device for estimating a core body temperature of a user, the device comprising:

a heat trap shaped to receive a liquid stream and contain the thermal energy therein;

a temperature sensor in communication with a microprocessor, said temperature sensor disposed proximate a surface of said heat trap, wherein said liquid stream is directed across said temperature sensor;

said heat trap comprises a sidewall including an upper section having an opening and a lower section having an outlet, said sidewall defining a perimeter around an enclosing the region, said enclosed region defining a passage for said liquid stream; and

said device associating liquid stream with a person and determining a temperature condition of said person.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said heat trap includes a thermally reflective surface.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said heat trap further comprises a heat reflective surface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said heat trap further comprises a hydrophilic surface.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second heat trap.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said second heat trap is configured for selective distal placement relative to the first heat trap.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an alternately configured heat trap.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor and database configured to receive temperature input from said temperature sensor and associate said temperature input with a person.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising an identity system.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said identity system comprises an optical camera in communication with a person database, said optical camera enabling system comparison with the person database, facilitating identity information for said person.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said identity system comprises an RFID reader in communication with a person database, said RFID reader providing identity information for said person.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said identity system comprises a bar code reader in communication with a person database, said bar code reader providing identity information for said person.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said identity system is selected from at least one of the following:

an RF card system, a bar code system, a magnetic card system, an optical system, a smart card system, a biometric system, a hand scanner system, a fingerprint scanner system.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor and memory configured to receive input from said temperature sensor and compare said input with historical temperature records of said person.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a processor and memory configured to receive input from said temperature sensor and determine a febrile condition in response to said input.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mount operable to secure the device or heat trap thereof to a toilet or proximate surface.

17. A process for estimating a core body temperature of a user, the process comprising:

providing a heat trap shaped to receive a liquid stream and contain the thermal energy therein;

providing a temperature sensor in communication with a microprocessor, said temperature sensor disposed proximate a surface of said heat trap, wherein said liquid stream is directed across said temperature sensor;

associating said liquid stream with a person and determining a temperature condition of said person; and

determining whether the person has a febrile condition using the detected temperature condition and previously stored temperature data of said person.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein said heat trap comprises a sidewall including an upper section having an opening and a lower section having an outlet, said sidewall defining a perimeter around an enclosing the region, said enclosed region defining a passage for said liquid stream.

19. The process of claim 17, wherein said heat trap comprises a strip having a curvilinear cross-profile, said strip including a downwardly depending section adjacent to an upwardly depending section, said adjacent sections defining a partial perimeter and presenting a channel for said liquid stream.

20. The process of claim 17, wherein said heat trap comprises a strip including a downwardly depending section having at least one ridge rising from its surface, said ridge operable to alter liquid flow rate.