Thermally isolated probe for biomedical apparatus and method of communicating energy there through

• US 6,332,090 B1
• Filed: 06/01/1995
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carefusion 303 Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: DeFrank, Michael P., Rosati, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHLE, KARIN M
• Application Number:
  US08/458,010
• Time in Patent Office: 2,392 Days
• Field of Search: 128/633, 128/634, 128/664, 128/736, 604/31, 374/130-133, 374/126, 374/33, 374/135, 374/188, 374/208, 374/209, 600/474, 600/549
• US Class Current: 600/474
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/06 Arrangements for eliminating effects of disturbing radiation; Arrangements for compensating changes in sensitivity for adjusting of solid angle of collected radiation G01J5/07; means for wavelength selection G01J5/0801
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0875 Windows; Arrangements for fastening thereof

Abstract

The thermal isolation apparatus for the protruding probe of a biomedical thermometer includes an insulative air gap and a heat sink disposed between the surface of the probe and the optical path through the probe. The heat sink surrounds the optical path, such as a waveguide, and acts to evenly distribute any heat along the entire length of the waveguide to avoid temperature variations. Additionally, the heat sink has sufficient mass for high heat capacity and may slow the progress of any heat from reaching or leaving the waveguide until after the measurement by the biomedical instrument has been completed. Disposed over the heat sink is a boot which forms the closed air space between the heat sink and the outer probe surface. The air gap combined with the heat sink provide relative thermal isolation of the optical path through the probe and provide relative thermal isolation of the target anatomy from the temperature of the probe.

Claims

1. A hand-held biomedical apparatus adapted to communicate electromagnetic energy to an electromagnetic energy detector, the apparatus comprising:

a probe having an outer surface, a first optical opening adapted for facing the electromagnetic energy to be communicated, a second optical opening adapted for facing the electromagnetic energy detector, said first optical opening and said second optical opening defining an optical path;

a waveguide disposed in the optical path and extending between the first and second optical openings;

heat sink means for providing a heat sink in thermal contact with the waveguide;

air insulation means for providing a closed layer of air insulation between the outer surface of the probe and the waveguide along the entire length of the waveguide in the probe wherein the air insulation means comprises a removable outer boot disposed around the heat sink means, the outer boot having an inside surface separated from the heat sink means, the air insulation means providing the closed layer of insulating air between the heat sink means and the inside surface of the outer boot; and

said outer boot comprises a distal end having a distal tip portion which is involuted, the air insulation means providing a portion of the closed layer of air insulation within the involution.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat sink means is formed of a material having a relatively high thermal diffusivity and a relatively high thermal conductivity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable window formed of a brittle material which is substantially transparent to said electromagnetic energy, and mounting means for mounting and aligning the removable window in a position adjacent the first optical opening and for maintaining the removable window in said position when the boot is removed, wherein the removable outer boot includes a window retainer at its distal end that holds the window in said position adjacent said first optical opening such that the window is secured firmly in said position adjacent the first optical opening until the boot is removed at which time the window may be removed.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the mounting means comprises a removable sleeve, said window adapted to fit within the sleeve, wherein the window retainer of the removable outer boot is also shaped to retain said sleeve at said first optical opening;

and

said sleeve and window being removable after the boot has been removed from the probe.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

the removable sleeve comprises a flange;

the heat sink comprises an inset portion which slidably receives the flange of the sleeve; and

the window retainer contacts the flange of the sleeve to hold the window in said position adjacent the first optical opening when the boot is in said position and the sleeve and window are slidably removable from the heat sink when the boot is removed from the probe.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the window retainer comprises the involution of the boot, the involution being shaped to firmly secure the window in said position adjacent the first optical opening until the boot is removed at which time the window may be removed.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer boot is formed of a durable material;

and

the involution of the removable outer boot extends distally beyond the window.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the infrared detector requires a predetermined period of time within which to detect the infrared energy, the closed air space comprising insulation means for insulating the waveguide from external temperature changes during the predetermined period of time.

8. A biomedical apparatus for communicating electromagnetic energy from a patient to a first position, the apparatus comprising:

a probe having an outer surface and first and second optical openings and a waveguide extending between the first and second optical openings, the first optical opening adapted to face the patient and the second optical opening facing the first position;

heat sink means for providing a heat sink in thermal contact with the waveguide of the probe for maintaining a uniform temperature along the waveguide;

air insulation means for providing a closed layer of air between the heat sink and the outer surface of the probe along the entire length of the waveguide in the probe, the air insulation means comprises an outer boot disposed around the heat sink, the outer boot having an inside surface separated from the heat sink, the air insulation means providing the closed layer of insulating air between the heat sink and the inside surface of the outer boot; and

wherein said boot comprises a distal tip portion which is involuted, the air insulation means for providing a portion of the closed layer of air insulation within the involution.

9. A biomedical apparatus adapted to communicate infrared energy from a patient to an infrared detector, the apparatus comprising:

a probe having an outer surface and first and second openings and a waveguide extending between the first and second openings, the first opening adapted for facing the patient and the second opening adapted for facing the infrared detector, the probe further comprising a removable outer boot surrounding the waveguide, the outer boot having an outer surface and having an aperture through which the infrared energy from the patient may pass;

a heat sink in thermal contact with the waveguide for maintaining uniform temperature along the waveguide, the heat sink comprising a material having a relatively high thermal diffusivity and a relatively high thermal conductivity;

a closed air space located between the heat sink and an inside surface of the outer boot and extending along the entire length of the waveguide;

a removable window formed of a brittle material which is substantially transparent to said infrared energy; and

mounting means for mounting and aligning the removable window in a position adjacent the first opening and for maintaining the replaceable removable window in said position when the outer boot is removed,

wherein the removable outer boot includes a window retainer for securing the removable window at a position internal to the boot between the aperture of the removable boot and said first opening at the position aligned and adjacent the first opening such that removal of the window is prevented by the boot until the boot is removed.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the infrared detector requires a predetermined period of time within which to detect the infrared energy, the heat sink having a heat capacity selected to prevent external temperature changes from reaching the waveguide during the predetermined period of time.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the infrared detector requires a predetermined period of time within which to detect the infrared energy, the closed air space comprising insulation means for insulating the outer surface of the boot from temperature changes of the heat sink during the predetermined time period.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mounting means comprises:

a removable sleeve;

wherein said window is adapted to fit within the sleeve and the window retainer is shaped to retain said sleeve at said first optical opening;

wherein the sleeve comprises a flange;

the heat sink comprises an inset portion for slidably receiving the flange of the sleeve; and

the retainer of the outer boot is shaped to contact the flange of the sleeve to hold the window in place at the first optical opening when the boot is in place and the sleeve and window are slidably removable from the heat sink when the boot is removed from the probe.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the outer boot is formed of a durable material;

and

the removable outer boot extends distally beyond the window.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mounting means has an outer surface and the removable boot has an outer surface for receiving a probe cover and an inner surface for mounting to the outer surface of the mounting means.

16. A biomedical apparatus adapted to receive infrared energy from a patient and communicate the infrared energy to an infrared detector, the apparatus comprising:

a probe having an outer surface and first and second openings and a waveguide extending between the first and second openings, the first opening adapted for facing the patient and the second opening adapted for facing the detector, the probe comprising an outer boot forming the outer surface of the probe;

a heat sink in thermal contact with the waveguide for maintaining uniform temperature along the waveguide, the heat sink comprising a material having a relatively high thermal diffusivity and a relatively high thermal conductivity;

a closed air space located between the heat sink and the outer boot and extending along the entire length of the waveguide;

the outer boot having an inside surface separated from the heat sink, the closed air space being located between the heat sink and the inside surface of the boot; and

wherein said boot comprises a distal tip portion which is involuted, the involution containing an air space continuous with the air space between the heat sink and the inside surface of the boot.

17. A probe having replaceable elements adapted to communicate electromagnetic energy from a patient to an electromagnetic energy detector positioned outside the probe, the probe comprising:

an electromagnetic energy conducting member having first and second openings with an electromagnetic energy conducting passage extending between the openings, the first opening adapted to face the patient and the second opening adapted to face the electromagnetic energy detector;

a replaceable window formed of a brittle material that is substantially transparent to said energy, the window being removably mounted over the first opening of the electromagnetic energy conducting member;

a mounting means for mounting and aligning the replaceable window in a position adjacent the first opening; and

an outer boot removably positioned over the electromagnetic energy conducting member and comprising a window retainer for engaging a mounting surface of the mounting means to secure the removable window in said position adjacent the first opening while the boot is mounted on the electromagnetic energy conducting member, the mounting means maintaining the window in said position when the outer boot is removed, wherein removal of the outer boot from the electromagnetic energy conducting member permits removal of the window from the first opening.

18. The probe of claim 17 wherein the outer boot is formed of a durable material;

and

the outer boot further comprises a distal tip portion which extends distally beyond the window.

19. The probe of claim 17 wherein the mounting means comprises:

a removable sleeve having an opening within which the window is mounted;

wherein the window retainer of the removable boot is shaped to contact the sleeve and retain the sleeve at a position in relation to the electromagnetic energy conducting member such that the window is positioned adjacent the first opening while the boot is mounted over the electromagnetic energy conducting member and the sleeve and window are removable from the electromagnetic energy conducting member after the boot has been removed therefrom.

20. The probe of claim 19 wherein:

the sleeve comprises a mounting flange;

the electromagnetic energy conducting member comprises a second mounting surface on which the sleeve is slidably mounted and an inset portion for receiving the flange of the sleeve;

the window retainer of the outer boot is shaped to contact the flange of the sleeve to secure the sleeve on the second mounting surface such that the window is positioned adjacent the first opening when the boot is in place, and the sleeve and window are slidably removable from the electromagnetic energy conducting member and can be replaced when the boot is removed from the probe.

21. A probe having replaceable elements adapted to communicate electromagnetic energy from a patient to an electromagnetic energy detector positioned outside the probe, the probe comprising:

an electromagnetic energy conducting member having first and second openings with an electromagnetic energy conducting passage extending between the openings, the first opening adapted to face the patient and the second opening adapted to face the electromagnetic energy detector;

a replaceable window that is substantially transparent to said electromagnetic energy, the replaceable window being removably mounted over the first opening of the electromagnetic energy conducting member;

a mounting device for mounting and aligning the replaceable window in a position adjacent the first opening; and

an outer boot removably positioned over the electromagnetic energy conducting member and comprising a window retainer for engaging a mounting surface of the mounting device to secure the removable window in said position adjacent the first opening while the boot is mounted on the electromagnetic energy conducting member, the mounting device maintaining the window in said position when the outer boot is removed, wherein removal of the outer boot from the electromagnetic energy conducting member permits removal of the window from the first opening.

22. The probe of claim 21 wherein the outer boot is formed of a durable material;

and

the outer boot further comprises a distal tip portion which extends distally beyond the window.

23. The probe of claim 21 wherein the mounting device comprises:

a removable sleeve having an opening within which the window is mounted;

wherein the window retainer of the removable boot is shaped to contact the sleeve and retain the sleeve at a position in relation to the electromagnetic energy conducting member such that the window is positioned adjacent the first opening while the boot is mounted over the electromagnetic energy conducting member and the sleeve and window are removable from the electromagnetic energy conducting member after the boot has been removed therefrom.

24. The probe of claim 23 wherein:

the sleeve comprises a mounting flange;

the electromagnetic energy conducting member comprises a second mounting surface on which the sleeve is slidably mounted and an inset portion for receiving the flange of the sleeve; and

the window retainer of the outer boot is shaped to contact the flange of the sleeve to secure the sleeve on the second mounting surface such that the window is positioned adjacent the first opening when the boot is in place, and the sleeve and window are slidably removable from the electromagnetic energy conducting member and can be replaced when the boot is removed from the probe.

25. The probe of claim 21, wherein the outer boot comprises a distal end having a distal tip portion which is involuted.

26. The probe of claim 21, wherein the outer boot has an inside surface separated from the electromagnetic energy conducting member and defining a closed layer of insulating air between the electromagnetic energy conducting member and the outer boot.

27. The probe of claim 26, wherein the closed layer of insulating air extends along the entire length of the electromagnetic energy conducting passage.

28. A method of communicating electromagnetic energy from a patient to a first position, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the electromagnetic energy from the patient with a probe having an outer surface, a first optical opening adapted for receiving the electromagnetic energy from the patient, a second optical opening adapted for facing the first position, the first and second optical openings defining an optical path;

disposing a waveguide in the optical path extending between the first and second optical openings, said disposing step further comprising the step of forming the waveguide in a heat sink;

communicating the received electromagnetic energy through the probe to the first position with the waveguide;

maintaining a uniform temperature along the waveguide;

insulating the waveguide along its entire length with a closed air space by mounting an outer removable boot over the waveguide and heat sink, said outer boot having an inside surface that is separated from the heat sink to establish the closed air space between the outer boot and the heat sink;

mounting a removable window formed of a brittle material which is substantially transparent to said received energy and which is separate and removable from the removable boot, at a position internal to the outer boot and adjacent said first optical opening and held in place adjacent said first optical opening by the outer boot such that when the boot is removed, the window may be separately removed and replaced.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of mounting an outer removable boot over the waveguide and heat sink further comprises the steps of forming the outer boot from a durable material and forming the tip of the boot to extend distally beyond the window.

30. A method of communicating electromagnetic energy from a patient to a first position, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a probe to the patient, the probe having an outer surface, a first optical opening facing the electromagnetic energy, and a second optical opening facing a first position, said first optical opening and said second optical opening defining an optical path, said first optical opening receiving the electromagnetic energy from the patient;

disposing a waveguide in the optical path further comprising the step of forming the waveguide in a heat sink;

communicating the received electromagnetic energy through the probe to the first position with the waveguide;

maintaining a uniform temperature along the waveguide; and

insulating the waveguide along its entire length with a closed air space wherein the step of insulating comprises covering the heat sink with an outer boot, said boot having an inside surface, the inside surface being separated from the heat sink to establish the closed air space between the outer boot and the heat sink;

said disposing step further comprising the step of involuting the distal tip portion of the outer boot, the involution including an air space continuous with and forming a part of the closed air space between the outer boot and the heat sink.