Temperature sensing device for medical patients with releasable housing

• US 5,642,735 A
• Filed: 03/16/1995
• Issued: 07/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve Novak
• Original Assignee: Steve Novak
• Inventors: Kolbly, Kenneth D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rimell, Sam
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US08/405,222
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 128/723, 128/724, 128/725, 128/726, 128/736, 128/666, 128/671, 128/687, 128/734
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0878 using temperature sensing means

Abstract

The invention is a portable device for measuring the temperature and respiration rate of a patient. In detail, the device includes a temperature sensing device comprising a housing having first and second ends with an aperture extending there through, and the first end of the housing adapted for insertion into the mouth of the patient. The housing further including a plurality of temperature sensors mounted externally on the second end of the housing. A plurality of electrical contacts are located on the second end of the housing; and a plurality of conductors couple the plurality of temperature sensors to the electrical contacts. A spirometer assembly for measuring the respiration rate of the patient as the patient breathes in and out is included having a second housing with first and second ends and an aperture extending there through. The first end of the spirometer is adapted to releasably engage the second end of the housing of the temperature sensing device. A plurality of second is mounted on the second end of the second housing such that the plurality of first and second contacts are in electrical contact when the second end of the first housing is engaged with the first end thereof. An electrical circuit is included for processing the input temperature signals from the plurality of temperature sensors and providing an output signal proportional thereto to a display device for displaying the temperature of the patent upon receipt of the output signal. While the spirometer in combination with the temperature sensor is an important aspect of the invention, the temperature sensor could be used with a simple hollow tube incorporating the second electrical contacts, electrical circuit and the display device.

Claims

1. A portable device for measuring the temperature of a patient, the device comprising:

a temperature sensing device comprising;

a first housing having first and second ends, said first end adapted for insertion into the mouth of the patient, said first housing having an aperture extending from said first end to said second end,

a plurality of temperature sensors mounted externally on said first end of said first housing;

a hollow tubular member comprising;

a second housing having first and second ends, and an aperture extending there through, said first end of said second housing adapted to releasably engage said second end of said first housing, and

first electrical circuit means for processing the input temperature signals from said plurality of temperature sensors and providing an output signal proportional thereto; and

display means for displaying the temperature of the patient upon receipt of said output signal; and

second electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said plurality of temperature sensors to said electrical circuit means, said second electrical circuit means having means to electrically disconnect said plurality of temperature sensors from said first electrical circuit means upon disengagement of said first and second housings.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor further comprising said second end including a bulb like member adapted to fit behind the teeth of the patient.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said temperature sensor comprises:

a flexible member having a forked end having plurality of tangs mounted on said second end of said first housing, said flexible member adapted to fit under the tongue of the patient; and

said temperature sensors mounted on the end of said tangs.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said temperature sensor comprises a flange mounted on said first housing extending there about between said first and second ends thereof, said flange adapted to limit the travel of said second end of said first mentioned housing into the mouth of the patient.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 wherein said tubular member is a spirometer having means for measuring and displaying the respiration rate of the patient as said patient breathes in and out.

6. A portable device for measuring the temperature and respiration rate of a patient, the device comprising:

a temperature sensing device comprising;

a first housing having first and second ends, said first end adapted for insertion Into the mouth of the patient, said first housing having an aperture extending from said first end to said second end, and

a plurality of temperature sensors mounted externally on said second end of said first housing; and

a spirometer assembly comprising;

a second housing having first and second ends, and an aperture extending there through, said first end of said spirometer adapted to releasably engage said second end of said first housing, and

means for measuring the respiration rate of the patient as said patient breathes in and out; and

electrical circuit means for processing the input temperature signals from said plurality of temperature sensors and providing an output signal proportional thereto;

display means for displaying the temperature of the patent upon receipt of said output signal and;

second electrical circuit means for electrically coupling said plurality of temperature sensors to said electrical circuit means, said second electrical circuit means having means to electrically disconnect said plurality of temperature sensors from said first electrical circuit means upon disengagement of said first and second housings.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said temperature sensor further comprising said second end including a bulb like member adapted to fit behind the teeth of the patient.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said temperature sensor comprises:

a flexible member having a forked end having plurality of tangs mounted on said second end of said first housing, said flexible member adapted to fit under the tongue of the patient; and

said temperature sensors mounted on the end of said tangs.

9. The device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said temperature sensor comprises a flange mounted on said first housing extending there about between said first and second ends thereof, said flange adapted to limit the travel of said second end of said first housing into the mouth of the patient.