Electronic body temperature indicator
First Claim
1. A body temperature indicator, comprising:
- thermocouple means having a hot junction and a cold junction;
means for positioning the hot junction so that the exhaled breath of a patient flows thereover in direct contact therewith, said means comprising tubular means having a central passage therethrough, the hot junction positioned within said central passage, said tubular means having an open end for the patient to expel breath into the passage, and breath outlet orifice means, so that the breath flows through the passage about the hot junction in direct contact therewith; and
air flow check valve means at the outlet orifice means, for preventing the patient from inhaling through the passage of the tubular means;
means for positioning the cold junction in direct contact with the ambient air remotely from the breath of the patient;
ambient air temperature sensing means adjacent the cold junction; and
means for indicating the temperature utilizing electrical input from said thermocouple means and said ambient air temperature sensing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic human body temperture indicator comprising a thermocouple, the hot junction of which is housed within a tube through which the patient'"'"'s breath is exhaled. The cold junction is positioned in contact with the ambient air, and an adjacent ambient temperature air sensor is provided. An appropriate electronic package processes thermocouple and air temperature sensor output to provide a display of the patient'"'"'s peak breath temperature. A breath outlet check valve prevents cross contamination by blocking inhalation through the indicator. A disposable breath inlet tube makes sterilization unnecessary between uses from patient to patient. According to one aspect of the invention, the indicator may be adapted for anesthesiology use, the hot junction then being located in an elbow connecting the gas supply tube and the disposable treachea tube.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A body temperature indicator, comprising:
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thermocouple means having a hot junction and a cold junction; means for positioning the hot junction so that the exhaled breath of a patient flows thereover in direct contact therewith, said means comprising tubular means having a central passage therethrough, the hot junction positioned within said central passage, said tubular means having an open end for the patient to expel breath into the passage, and breath outlet orifice means, so that the breath flows through the passage about the hot junction in direct contact therewith; and
air flow check valve means at the outlet orifice means, for preventing the patient from inhaling through the passage of the tubular means;means for positioning the cold junction in direct contact with the ambient air remotely from the breath of the patient; ambient air temperature sensing means adjacent the cold junction; and means for indicating the temperature utilizing electrical input from said thermocouple means and said ambient air temperature sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17)
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15. A body temperature indicator, comprising:
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thermocouple means having a hot junction and a cold junction; means for positioning the hot junction so that the exhaled breath of a patient flows thereover in direct contact therewith, said means comprising tubular means having a central passage therethrough, the hot junction positioned within said central passage, said tubular means having a first open end for the patient to expel breath into the passage, a second open end, so that the breath flows through the passage about the hot junction in direct contact therewith;
said first and second open ends adapted to be connected to the passages of a disposable trachea tube and an anesthetic gas supply hose, respectively;means for positioning the cold junction in direct contact with the ambient air remotely from the breath of the patient; ambient air temperature sensing means adjacent the cold junction; and means for indicating the temperature utilizing electrical input from said thermocouple means and said ambient air temperature sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification