Infant temperature measuring apparatus and methods

• US 4,747,413 A
• Filed: 11/07/1986
• Issued: 05/31/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harry S. Bloch
• Original Assignee: Harry S. Bloch
• Inventors: Bloch, Harry S.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASICH, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US06/928,441
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 374/141, 374/163, 374/122, 340/870.17, 128/736, 128/903, 206/306, 2/247, 2/249, 2/DIG. 7
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 13/00 Baby linen patients' garments specially adapted for babies A41D13/1272; babies' napkins or holders therefor A61F13/15
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1281 with incorporated means for medical monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A continuous temperature monitoring apparatus for a human infant includes a garment adapted to be worn on an infant'"'"'s torso, over the armpits, which includes a temperature sensor located in an armpit of the garment for sensing the infant'"'"'s temperature. The sensor is functionally coupled with a display on the garment, transmits a radio signal indication of infant armpit temperature to a display device remote from the infant or both. Electronic temperature sensor embodiments are functionally coupled to an electronic display device located on the infant by a flexible lead or by radio transmission to a remotely located electronic display. Non-electrical systems include temperature responsive, chemical liquid crystal displays thermally coupled by flexible metallic, heat transferring arms with a more rigid, massive, metallic heat absorbing element positioned against the infant'"'"'s armpit for thermally coupling the heat responsive chemical display with the infant'"'"'s armpit.

Claims

1. An infant temperature monitoring apparatus comprising:

A garment adapted to be worn on an infant'"'"'s upper torso including the infant'"'"'s armpits;

temperature sensing means supported by a pocket in an armpit of the garment for sensing armpit temperature of an infant wearing the garment;

first visual display means mounted on an outer portion of the garment by a clear plastic pocket at a visible location spaced from the armpits of the garment for displaying an indication of the body temperature of an infant wearing the garment; and

first flexible connecting means for operably coupling the sensor means with the first visual display means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

second visual display means secured to the garment on a second outer portion of the garment spaced from the armpits and spaced from the first visual display means; and

second flexible connecting means for operably coupling said sensor means with said second visual display means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first visual display means is mounted in a clear plastic pocket on a sleeve portion of the garment.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first visual display means is located in a clear plastic pocket on a shoulder portion of the garment.

5. A method of continuously monitoring an infants'"'"'s temperature comprising the steps of:

mounting a body temperature display means within a clear plastic pocket on a garment to be worn by the infant on a visible portion of an infant'"'"'s upper torso;

mounting a temperature responsive sensor within a pocket on the garment in an armpit of the infant;

operably coupling the display means with the sensor locted in the armpit; and

continuously displaying the infant'"'"'s armpit temperature on the display means.

6. An infant temperature monitoring apparatus comprising:

a garment adapted to be worn on an infant'"'"'s upper torso including the infant'"'"'s armpits;

temperature sensing means supported by a pocket in an armpit of the garment for sensing armpit temperature of an infant wearing the garment;

first visual display means mounted on an outer portion of the garment by snap fastener means at a visible location spaced from the armpits of the garment for displaying an indication of the body temperature of an infant wearing the garment; and

first flexible connecting means for operably coupling the sensor means with the first visual display means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

second visual display means secured to the garment on a second outer portion of the garment spaced from the armpits and spaced from the first visual display means; and

second flexible connecting means for operably coupling said sensor means with said second visual display means.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first visual display means is mounted by snap fastener means on a sleeve portion of the garment.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first visual display means is mounted by snap fastener means on a shoulder portion of the garment.

10. A method of continuously monitoring an infant'"'"'s temperature comprising the steps of:

mounting a body temperature display means by snap fastener means on a garment to be worn by the infant on a visible portion of an infant'"'"'s upper torso;

mounting a temperature responsive sensor within a pocket on the garment in an armpit of the infant;

operably coupling the display means with the sensor located in the armpit; and

continuously displaying the infant'"'"'s armpit temperature on the display means.