Thermometric apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A thermometric apparatus for sensing a plurality of temperatures at a dermal surface comprising:
- a controller;
a timer electrically connected to the controller;
a memory electrically connected to the controllera means for sensing the plurality of temperatures, said temperature sensing means being electrically connected to the controller, said temperature sensing means acting to convert said plurality of temperatures to a corresponding plurality of electrical signals, said controller converting said plurality of electrical signals to a corresponding plurality of temperature numeric values, and said numeric values being stored in the memory;
a means for sensing proximity to the dermal surface electrically connected to the controller;
a speaker electrically connected to the controller; and
a display electrically connected to the controller.
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Abstract
A thermometric apparatus useful for recording temperatures, after sensing contact with, or proximity to, a dermal surface is disclosed. The apparatus also provides various visual and aural mechanisms for indicating alarm conditions to the user. A method for thermometric diagnosis using temperatures acquired from bilateral dermal surfaces is also disclosed. The apparatus and method are especially useful in the early diagnosis of plantar foot surface pre-ulceration conditions which may be present in diabetic persons.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A thermometric apparatus for sensing a plurality of temperatures at a dermal surface comprising:
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a controller; a timer electrically connected to the controller; a memory electrically connected to the controller a means for sensing the plurality of temperatures, said temperature sensing means being electrically connected to the controller, said temperature sensing means acting to convert said plurality of temperatures to a corresponding plurality of electrical signals, said controller converting said plurality of electrical signals to a corresponding plurality of temperature numeric values, and said numeric values being stored in the memory; a means for sensing proximity to the dermal surface electrically connected to the controller; a speaker electrically connected to the controller; and a display electrically connected to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of thermometric diagnosis comprising:
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approaching a first bilateral dermal surface with a proximity sensing means until a first proximity signal is detected; acquiring a first temperature value of said first bilateral dermal surface after said first proximity signal is detected; approaching a second bilateral dermal surface with the proximity sensing means until a second proximity signal is detected, said second bilateral dermal surface having a one-to-one physical correspondence with said first bilateral dermal surface; acquiring a second temperature value of said second bilateral dermal surface after said second proximity signal is detected; subtracting said second temperature value from said first temperature value to produce a temperature difference; and displaying said difference on a display. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of thermometric diagnosis comprising the steps of:
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approaching a first dermal surface with a proximity sensing means until a first proximity signal is detected; acquiring a first temperature value of said first dermal surface after said first proximity signal is detected; displaying said first temperature value on a display; approaching a second dermal surface with said proximity sensing means until a second proximity signal is detected; acquiring a second temperature value of said second dermal surface after said second proximity signal is detected; displaying said second temperature value on said display if said first temperature value is less than said second temperature value; and displaying said first temperature value on said display if said temperature value is less than said first temperature value. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification