Ear thermometer radiation detector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A temperature detector comprising:
- an extension increasing non-linearly in diameter along a portion of its length from a distal end of the extension to form a rounded distal tip, the extension being adapted to be inserted into an outer ear such that the rounded distal tip is disposed adjacent to an ear canal opening, the rounded tip having a substantially spherical shape with a radius within the range of 5-10 mm to a diameter adjacent a distal end of the extension such that the extension is substantially incapable of being inserted into an ear canal;
an infrared radiation sensor positioned in the detector for receiving radiation from the ear canal which passes through the distal end of the extension; and
an electronics unit for converting radiation received by the sensor to temperature.
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Abstract
A radiation detector comprises an extension shaped to be comfortably positioned in an outer ear area for obtaining temperature indications without discomfort to the subject. The extension increases non-linearly in diameter along a portion of its distal end forming a rounded distal tip. The extension is positioned in an ear canal such that the rounded tip is disposed at the opening to the ear canal. An infrared radiation sensor is positioned in the detector for receiving radiation emitted from the ear canal. An electronics unit converts the received radiation to a temperature indication.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A temperature detector comprising:
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an extension increasing non-linearly in diameter along a portion of its length from a distal end of the extension to form a rounded distal tip, the extension being adapted to be inserted into an outer ear such that the rounded distal tip is disposed adjacent to an ear canal opening, the rounded tip having a substantially spherical shape with a radius within the range of 5-10 mm to a diameter adjacent a distal end of the extension such that the extension is substantially incapable of being inserted into an ear canal; an infrared radiation sensor positioned in the detector for receiving radiation from the ear canal which passes through the distal end of the extension; and an electronics unit for converting radiation received by the sensor to temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A temperature detector comprising:
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an extension increasing non-linearly in diameter along a portion of its length from a distal end of the extension to form a rounded distal tip, the extension being adapted to be inserted into an outer ear such that the rounded distal tip is disposed adjacent to an ear canal opening, the rounded tip having a diameter adjacent a distal end of the extension such that the extension is substantially incapable of being inserted into an ear canal, a portion of the extension being adapted to be retracted to expose an inner extension, the inner extension being adapted to be inserted into an ear canal; an infrared radiation sensor positioned in the detector for receiving radiation from the ear canal which passes through the distal end of the extension; and an electronics unit for converting radiation received by the sensor to temperature.
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16. A temperature detector comprising:
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a housing adapted to be held by hand; an extension from the housing non-linearly increasing in diameter along a portion of its length from a distal end to form a rounded distal tip, the extension adapted to be inserted into an outer ear such that the rounded distal tip is disposed at an opening to an ear canal, the rounded distal tip having a substantially spherical shape with a radius within the range of 5-10 mm to a diameter adjacent a distal end of the extension such that the extension is substantially incapable of being inserted into the ear canal; an infrared radiation sensor positioned in the detector for receiving radiation from the ear canal which passes through the extension; a temperature display on the housing for displaying temperature; and battery powered electronics in the housing for converting radiation receive by the sensor to temperature displayed by the display. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for measuring temperature comprising:
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providing a temperature detector having an extension, an infrared radiation sensor and an electronics unit; inserting the extension into an outer ear against the opening of an ear canal, the extension having an increasing diameter along a portion of its length for its distal end to form a rounded distal end having a radius greater than the ear canal radius, the rounded distal end sealing an opening to an ear canal such that the extension is substantially incapable of being inserted into the ear canal; sensing radiation emitted from the ear canal, which passes into the extension, with the sensor; and converting the sensed radiation in an electronics unit to a temperature indication. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A temperature detector comprising:
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an extension having a tip of soft, flexible material, the extension being adapted to be inserted into an outer ear such that the tip is disposed adjacent to an ear canal opening, the rounded tip having a substantially spherical shape with a radius within the range of 5-10 mm to a diameter adjacent a distal end of the extension such that the extension substantially incapable of being inserted into an ear canal; an infrared radiation sensor positioned in the detector for receiving radiation from the ear canal which passes through the distal end of the extension; and an electronics unit for converting radiation received by the sensor to temperature.
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Specification