Systems and devices for measurement of urine temperature, particularly for detecting the shift in basal body temperature in women

• US 4,466,445 A
• Filed: 09/16/1982
• Issued: 08/21/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Abrams, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Application Number:
  US06/418,657
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 128/736, 128/738, 128/760, 128/761, 128/767, 374/141, 374/157, 374/208
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0012 Ovulation-period determination for animals A61D17/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/007 for taking urine samples measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0019 based on measurement of temperature
• 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 5/14507 specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/20 for measuring urological functions restricted to the evaluation of the urinary system A61B5/4375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations

Abstract

An automatic system for recognizing a shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility combines a device for measurement of urine temperature with a signal processing subsystem. Two specific forms of temperature measurement device are disclosed, and both are adapted for positioning in a toilet bowl.

Claims

1. A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising:

a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element;

a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied;

said device for measurement of urine temperature including a funnel having a mouth for receiving urine and an apex, a flow-through sensing portion positioned at said funnel apex for receiving urine, said flow-through sensing portion including a reservoir, and a flow-restricting drain aperture for said reservoir; and

said electrical temperature sensing element being positioned within said reservoir.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises at least one overflow aperture for said funnel between said funnel mouth and apex, and a baffle for said overflow aperture to initially direct urine towards said flow-through sensing portion.

3. A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising:

a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element;

a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied;

said device for measurement of urine temperature including an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material, and a dam positioned generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough, said dam being relatively low in height compared to the sidewalls of said V-trough, said dam defining an overflow reservoir; and

said electrical temperature-sensing element being positioned within said reservoir.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3, which further comprises a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards said reservoir.

5. A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising:

a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element;

a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; and

said device for measurement of urine temperature including an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material, said electrical temperature sensing element being positioned in and generally at the downstream end of said inclinded V-trough, and a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards and over said electrical temperature-sensing element.

6. A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising;

a funnel having a mouth for receiving urine and an apex; and

a flow-through sensing portion positioned at said funnel apex for receiving urine, said flow-through sensing portion including a reservoir, a flow-restricting drain aperture for said reservoir, and an electrical temperature-sensing element within said reservoir.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6, which further comprises at least one overflow aperture for said funnel between said funnel mouth and apex, and a baffle for said overflow aperture to initially direct urine towards said flow-through sensing portion.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element comprises a junction-type thermocouple.

10. A device in accordance with claim 7, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said funnel and flow-through sensing portion within a toilet bowl.

11. A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.

12. A device in accordance with claim 6, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said funnel and flow-through sensing portion within a toilet bowl.

13. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.

14. A device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.

15. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.

16. A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising:

an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material;

a dam positioned generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough, said dam being relatively low in height compared to the sidewalls of said V-trough, and said dam defining an overflow reservoir; and

an electrical temperature-sensing element within said reservoir.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16, which further comprises a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards said reservoir.

18. A device in accordance with claim 17, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said inclined V-trough within a toilet bowl.

19. A device in accordance with claim 18, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.

20. A device in accordance with claim 17, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.

21. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.

22. A device in accordance with claim 21, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element comprises a junctiontype thermocouple.

23. A device in accordance with claim 16, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said inclined V-trough within a toilet bowl.

24. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.

25. A device in accordance with claim 24, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.

26. A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising:

an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material;

an electrical temperature-sensing element positioned in and generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough; and

a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards and over said electrical temperature-sensing element.

27. A device in accordance with claim 26, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.