Axillary infrared thermometer and cover therefor

• US 5,893,833 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PNC Bank National Association (The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Exergen Corporation
• Inventors: Pompei, Francesco, Pompei, Marybeth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US08/469,484
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 128/736, 128/664, 206/212, 206/570, 206/571, 206/305, 206/306
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0022 for sensing the radiation of moving bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/021 Probe covers for thermometers, e.g. tympanic thermometers; Containers for probe covers; Disposable probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0265 Handheld, portable ear thermometers G01J5/049
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/05 Means for preventing contamination of the components of the optical system; Means for preventing obstruction of the radiation path

Abstract

An infrared detector has a probe having curved surfaces which slide readily into a neonate axilla. The probe is covered by a disposable cover, or a bag completely encloses the infrared detector. The bag has a pleated end surface, through which the detector views the skin, and a flap at a rear surface to close an opening which receives the detector.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a person'"'"'s temperature comprising:

providing an infrared detector having a window, through which a sensor views a surface target, at the base of a cup, the sensor field of view being such that the sensor does not view the cup;

stretching a plastic sheet over the cup such that the surface target is viewed through the sheet; and

positioning the sheet and cup against the person'"'"'s skin with the sheet pressed against the skin to detect heat flux from the skin, the cup providing emissivity compensation and the film stopping evaporation from the skin.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic sheet is a bag which fully covers the infrared detector.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sheet and cup are positioned in the person'"'"'s axilla.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet and cup are positioned in the person'"'"'s axilla.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic sheet is infrared transparent.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cup is