Temperature, pulse and respiration detector

• US 3,999,537 A
• Filed: 10/25/1973
• Issued: 12/28/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Noiles, Douglas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/409,637
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2 H, 128/2 R, 128/2 C, 128/2.05 R, 128/2.08, 128/DIG. 29, 128/2 E, 73/344, 73/204, 73/361, 73/359
• US Class Current: 600/537
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/273 Connection of cords, cables or leads to electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/274 using snap or button fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/02 using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples

Abstract

A temperature, pulse and respiration detector is disclosed having a disposable oral probe with a thermopile mounted thereon. The thermopile comprises a plurality of hot junctions mounted near one end of the probe for insertion into the mouth. These hot junctions act as a temperature sensor and as one of the electrodes for pulse detection. The thermopile also comprises at least one hot junction spaced from the end of the probe for sensing nasal respiration. The other pulse detection electrode is mounted on a connector housing which holds the disposable probe. In use, the patient holds the connector housing with his left hand so that his thumb contacts the electrode mounted thereon and places the probe in his mouth. The patient'"'"'s temperature and respiration are sensed by the thermopile and his pulse rate derived from the electrical activity of the heart sensed by the electrodes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sensing body temperature and respiration rate comprising an elongated probe having a temperature sensor mounted thereon, said probe defining an opening at a position spaced from said temperature sensor, said probe having a respiration sensor mounted in said opening so that when the probe is inserted in the mouth of a patient the temperature sensor will sense oral temperature and said opening and respiration sensor will be in the path of nasal air flow, said probe having a substantially flat portion between said temperature sensor and said opening adapted to be engaged by the lips of the patient so that said opening and said respiration sensor are maintained in said path of nasal air flow, and means for connecting said temperature sensor and said respiration sensor to means for reading out said body temperature and said respiration rate.

2. An apparatus for sensing body temperature and respiration rate comprising an elongated probe having a temperature sensor mounted thereon, said probe defining an opening at a position spaced from said temperature sensor for receiving nasal respiration, said probe having a respiration sensor mounted in said opening, said probe having a non-circular cross-section between said temperature sensor and said opening adapted to be engaged by a patient'"'"'s lips, and means for connecting said temperature sensor and said respiration sensor to means for reading out said body temperature and said respiration rate, said non-circular cross-section having a major axis and a minor axis, the width of said non-circular cross-section along said major axis being substantially greater than the width of said non-circular cross-section along said minor axis whereby said major axis is oriented parallel to the line of joining of said lips when said probe is inserted in the patient'"'"'s mouth and said opening and respiration sensor are maintained in the path of said nasal respiration.

3. An apparatus for sensing body temperature and respiration rate comprising an elongated probe having temperature and respiration sensors mounted thereon in spaced apart positions, said probe defining an opening therein, said respriration sensor being positioned over said opening so that when said probe is inserted into the mouth of a patient the temperature sensor is positioned in the mouth to sense oral temperature and the respiration sensor and opening are positioned outside the mouth in the path of nasal air flow, said probe having a substantially flat portion between said temperature and respiration sensors to be engaged by the lips of the patient to maintain the probe steady in the patient'"'"'s mouth without the possibility of rotation, said respiration sensor being mounted on said probe so that it does not project out of the profile of said probe, and means for connecting said temperature sensor and said respiration sensor to means for reading out said body temperature and said respiration rate.

4. An oral probe for use in sensing oral temperature and respiration rate comprising an elongated, electrically non-conductive member having a first end of suitable size and shape for insertion into the mouth of a patient;

thermopile means mounted on said member and defining a plurality of hot junctions near said first end of said member for insertion into the mouth for sensing oral temperature, said thermopile means also defining at least one hot junction spaced from said first end and positioned to be in the path of nasal air flow when said first end of said probe is inserted into a patient'"'"'s mouth, said member having a substantially flat portion between said plurality of hot junctions and said at least one hot junction adapted to be engaged by the lips of the patient so that said at least one hot junction is maintained in said path of nasal air flow, and means for connecting said thermopile means to means for reading out said oral temperature and said respiration rate.

5. The probe of claim 4 in which said thermopile means further defines a plurality of associated cold junctions near a second end of said member and in which said probe further includes a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on said member near said second end and electrically connected to said thermopile means, said second end of said member being adapted to be detachably mounted in a housing comprising at least part of a system for using the emf developed by said thermopile in determining the oral temperature and respiration rate of said patient.

6. The probe of claim 5 in which said thermopile means define at least three hot junctions near said first end which are positioned along a line which is transverse to said member and separated from one another by air gaps.

7. The probe of claim 5 in which said thermopile means defines from three to ten hot junctions near said first end and from three to ten associated cold junctions near said second end.

8. The probe of claim 7 in which said hot junctions are separated from said member by air gaps.

9. The probe of claim 5 in which said thermopile means comprises a first metal wire would around said member in the longitudinal direction thereof and a second metal joined to said first metal wire between said hot and associated cold junctions.

10. The probe of claim 9 in which said second metal is plated on said first metal wire from a first plating point defining said hot junctions to a second plating point defining said associated cold junctions.

11. The probe of claim 4 in which said member has an aperture formed thereon and spaced from said first end and in which said at least one hot junction spaced from said first end is positioned over said aperture.

12. The probe of claim 4 in which said member has an upper surface with a recess formed therein near said first end and in which said hot junctions near said first end are positioned over said recess.

13. An oral probe for use in sensing body temperature and respiration rate, comprising:

an elongated, substantially flat, electrically non-conductive member having a first end of suitable size and shape for insertion into the mouth of a patient, said member having a recess formed in said first end and an aperture spaced from said first end;

thermopile means defining a plurality of oral temperature-sensing thermocouples connected in series mounted on said member and having at least three hot junctions near said first end of said member and at least three associated cold junctions near a second end of said member, said at least three hot junctions being positioned along a line which is transverse to said member and over said recess so that said at least three hot junctions are separated from one another and from said member by air gaps;

said thermopile means also defining at least one respiration-sensing thermocouple mounted on said member and having at least one hot junction spaced from said first end of said member and at least one associated cold junction near a second end of said member, said at least one hot junction being positioned over said aperture so that said at least one hot junction is separated from said member by an air gap; and

a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on said member near said second end and electrically connected to said thermopile means so that said oral and respiration-sensing thermocouples are connected in parallel, said second end of said member being adapted to be detachably mounted in a housing comprising at least part of a system for using the emf developed by said thermopile means in determining the oral temperature and respiration rate of said patient.

14. The probe of claim 13 in which said thermopile means defines from three to ten hot junctions near said first end and from three to ten of said associated cold junctions near said second end.

15. The probe of claim 13 in which said thermopile means comprises a first metal wire wound around said member in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a second metal joined to said first metal wire between said hot and associated cold junctions.

16. The probe of claim 15 in which said second metal is placed on said first metal wire from a first plating point defining said hot junctions to a second plating point defining said associated cold junctions.