Method for detecting temperature gradients in biological tissue using a thermocouple array

• US 6,084,174 A
• Filed: 05/12/1999
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kornrumpf, William Paul, Miller, Mark Lloyd, Hedengren, Kristina Helena Valborg
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorgos, Kathryn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parsons, Thomas H
• Application Number:
  US09/313,531
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 136/200, 136/201, 136/224, 136/225, 136/232, 374/179
• US Class Current: 136/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/14 in respect of space
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/02 using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/17 characterised by the structure or configuration of the cell or thermocouple forming the device
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/854 comprising only metals H10N10/852, H10N10/853 take precedence

Abstract

A thermocouple array includes a dielectric layer having via openings therethrough, a first patterned conductive layer facing one surface of the dielectric layer, and a second patterned conductive layer facing another surface of the dielectric layer. Portions of the second patterned conductive layer can extend through the via openings to couple respective portions of the first patterned conductive layer. The second patterned conductive layer has a different thermal emf than the first patterned conductive layer. The dielectric layer, the first patterned conductive layer, and the second patterned conductive layer can be surface-conformable.

Claims

1. A method for detecting temperature gradients in biological tissue, the method comprising:

providing a thermocouple array including a dielectric layer having via openings therethrough, a first patterned conductive layer facing one surface of the dielectric layer, and a second patterned conductive layer comprising a different material than the first patterned conductive layer and facing another surface of the dielectric layer, portions of the second patterned conductive layer being coupled through the via openings to respective portions of the first patterned conductive layer, the second patterned conductive layer having a different thermal emf than the first patterned conductive layer, the dielectric layer, the first patterned conductive layer, and the second patterned conductive layer being surface-conformable;

situating the thermocouple array in surface-conforming thermal contact with the biological tissue; and

detecting temperature gradients in the biological tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting temperature gradients in the biological tissue includes using at least one voltmeter.