Infrared thermometer

• US 6,631,287 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2001
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Newman, Richard W., Krauter, Allan I.
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US09/825,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 600/474, 600/549, 374/121, 374/124, 374/130, 374/132, 374/133
• US Class Current: 600/474
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0205 Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements
• 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 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/064 Ambient temperature sensor; Housing temperature sensor; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0806 Focusing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or concave mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0808 Convex mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0813 Planar mirrors; Parallel phase plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0818 Waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0831 Masks; Aperture plates; Spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/084 Adjustable or slidable
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/48 Thermography; Techniques using wholly visual means
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/53 Reference sources, e.g. standard lamps; Black bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/70 Passive compensation of pyrometer measurements, e.g. using ambient temperature sensing or sensing of temperature within housing

Abstract

A plurality of miniature IR sensors disposed in a sensor array are aimed at a target area of interest, the array providing a thermal “image” of the target area. Processing electronics detect the hottest spot of the target as indicated by sensors in the array to directly indicate or estimate the hottest temperature(s) of the target area. Preferably, the sensor array can be utilized, for example, to determine the core body temperature of a patient by examination of the tympanic membrane.

Claims

1. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom; and

means for displaying the output signal of at least one infrared sensor of said sensor array, said displaying means includes means for displaying ranges of the temperature profile of said medical target area to a user in a predetermined format wherein said range displaying means includes means for determining core body temperature from said temperature profile.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying means includes at least one LCD capable of displaying at least one output signal from said sensor array.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying means includes a video monitor capable of displaying at least output signal from said sensor array.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying means includes means for displaying the hottest temperature(s) of the medical target area interrogated by said sensor array.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying means includes means for displaying all of the output signals of said sensor array.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including means for calibrating at least one infrared sensor of said sensor array.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said calibration means includes a small target having a known temperature and emissivity disposed in the optical path to said sensor array.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, including means for moving said target into and out of the optical path to said sensor array.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, including at least one optical element aligned with said target of known temperature, said at least one of said at least one optical element and said target being movable relative to the other to move the target selectively into and out of the optical path to the sensor array.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, including a temperature measuring element disposed in a least one of said sensor array and a substrate supporting said sensor array, said temperature measuring element being capable of measuring a reference temperature.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said medical target area onto said sensor array.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, including means for thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target area.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to allow only energy from said medical target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, including at least one lens disposed in relation to said sensor array along an optical axis, said at least one of said at least one lens and said sensor array being movable for variably focusing an image of said medical target area onto said sensor array.

15. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, wherein said processing means includes means for determining pulse based upon temporal variations in the output signals of certain portions of said temperature profile.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is the tympanic membrane.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is the armpit.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is under the tongue.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is the colon.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is the rectum.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is the temple area of a patient.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said medical target area is an in vivo portion of skin.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said processing means includes means for measuring each output signal of said sensor array and determining the output signals indicative of the hottest temperatures of said medical target area.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said sensor array is a linear one dimensional array.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said sensor array is a two-dimensional sensor array.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said processing means including means for determining the core body temperature based on the output signals of said plurality of infrared sensors.

27. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, wherein said processing means includes estimating means for estimating the hottest temperature(s) of said medical target area, wherein said estimating means predicts the hottest output signals of at least one estimated temperature from a profile of output signals, wherein said estimating means includes means for interpolating the hottest temperature from the output signals in said sensor array.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 27, including means for indicating to a user that the output signal corresponding to the hottest temperature of the sensor array does not indicate the hottest temperature of the medical target area.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said indicating means includes at least one of the group of audio, tactile, and light feedback.

30. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, wherein said processing means includes estimating means for estimating the hottest temperature(s) of said medical target area, wherein said estimating means predicts the hottest output signals of at least one estimated temperature from a profile of output signals, wherein said estimating means includes means for extrapolating the hottest temperature from a series of output signals if portions of the medical target are obstructed from the sensor array.

31. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, and means for indicating to a user that the output signal corresponding to the hottest temperature of the sensor array does not indicate the hottest temperature of the medical target area wherein said indicating means includes directional guiding means for guiding a user to that portion of the medical target area having the hottest temperature.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein said indicating means includes at least one of the group consisting of audio, tactile, and light feedback.

33. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, wherein said processing means includes estimating means for estimating the hottest temperature(s) of said medical target area, including at least one display for displaying the hottest temperature(s) of said medical target area and including means for indicating to a user that the hottest temperature being displayed is an estimated value.

34. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said medical target area onto said sensor array including means for thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target area, wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to allow only energy from said medical target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array including a substrate supporting said sensor array, said aperture stop being thermally connected to said substrate such that said aperture stop and said substrate have substantially equivalent temperatures.

35. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said medical target area onto said sensor array including means for thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target area, wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to allow only energy from said medical target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array, including means for measuring the temperature of said aperture stop.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein the sensor array can be compensated for using the measured temperature of said aperture stop.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said aperture stop temperature measuring means includes at least one infrared sensor of said sensor array.

38. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, and an instrument housing retaining said plurality of sensors, said housing including an insertion portion including a locator which enables said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said target area.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 38, including an objective lens disposed in a distal end of said insertion portion in the optical path to said sensor array.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein said plurality of infrared sensors are disposed in said instrument housing, said apparatus further including at least one relay lens disposed in the optical path to said sensor array for focusing an image from the distal objective lens onto said sensor array.

41. A temperature measuring apparatus for interrogating a medical target area, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target area such that said sensor array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of said medical target area;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, said processing means including means for determining temperature based on the output signals therefrom, at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said medical target area onto said sensor array including means for thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target area, wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to allow only energy from said medical target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array, including an instrument housing retaining said plurality of sensors, said housing including an insertion portion including a locator which enables said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said target area.

42. An apparatus as recited in claim 41, including an objective lens disposed in a distal end of said insertion portion in the optical path to said sensor array.

43. An apparatus as recited in claim 42, wherein said plurality of infrared sensors are disposed in said instrument housing, said apparatus further including at least one relay lens disposed in the optical path to said sensor array for focusing an image from the distal objective lens onto said sensor array.

44. An apparatus as recited in claim 43, wherein said aperture stop is disposed in relation to said at least one relay lens and said objective lens to substantially allow only energy from said medical area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array.

45. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, and

means for displaying the output signals of said sensor array wherein said displaying means includes means for displaying all of the output signals of said sensor array.

46. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, wherein said displaying means includes at least one LCD capable of displaying at least one output signal from said sensor array.

47. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, wherein said displaying means includes a video monitor capable of displaying at least one output signal from said sensor array.

48. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, wherein said displaying means includes means for displaying the hottest temperature(s) of the medical target area interrogated by said sensor array.

49. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, including at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said target area onto said sensor array.

50. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 49, including means for thermally isolating the sensor array.

51. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 50, wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to substantially allow only energy from said target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array.

52. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 51, including an instrument housing retaining said plurality of sensors, said housing including an insertion portion including a locator which enables said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said target area.

53. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 52, including an objective lens disposed in a distal end of said insertion portion in the optical path to said sensor array.

54. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 53, wherein said plurality of infrared sensors are disposed in said instrument housing, said apparatus further including at least one relay lens disposed in the optical path to said sensor array for focusing an infrared image from the distal objective lens onto said sensor array.

55. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 54, wherein said aperture stop is disposed in relation to said at least one relay lens and said objective lens to focus substantially only energy from said target and said aperture stop on said sensor array.

56. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, including at least one lens disposed in relation to said sensor array along an optical axis, said at least one of said at least one lens and said sensor array being movable for variably focusing the thermal area being imaged onto said sensor array.

57. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, wherein said sensor array is disposed on a substrate, said processing means including at least one of a thermocouple and a thermistor disposed on said substrate and a measuring circuit for determining the temperature of said substrate in order to compensate said sensor array.

58. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, wherein said sensor array is a linear one dimensional array.

59. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, wherein said sensor array is a two-dimensional sensor array.

60. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 45, including an instrument housing retaining said plurality of sensors, said housing including an insertion portion including a locator which enables said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said target area.

61. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 60, including an objective lens disposed in a distal end of said insertion portion in the optical path to said sensor array.

62. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, and

means for displaying the output signals of said sensor array wherein said displaying means produces a thermal image of at least a portion of the tympanic membrane.

63. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 62, wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature from said temperature profile.

64. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 63, wherein said core body temperature determining means includes means for measuring each output signal of said sensor array and determining the output signals indicative of the hottest temperature in the outer ear.

65. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 63, wherein said processing means includes estimating means for estimating the hottest temperature(s) in the outer ear.

66. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 65, wherein said estimating means predicts the hottest output signals of at least one estimated temperature from a profile of output signals.

67. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 66, wherein said estimating means includes for extrapolating the core body temperature from a series of output signals if portions of the outer ear are obstructed from the sensor array.

68. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 63, including means for indicating to a user that the output signal corresponding to the hottest temperature measured by the sensor array is not the core body temperature.

69. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 68, wherein said indicating means includes at least one of the group consisting of audio, tactile, and light feedback.

70. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 62, including means for calibrating at least one infrared sensor of said sensor array.

71. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 70, wherein said calibration means includes a small target having a known temperature and emissivity disposed in the optical path of said sensor array.

72. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 71, including means for moving said target into and out of the optical path of said sensor array.

73. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 71, including at least one optical element aligned with said target of known temperature, said at least one of said at least one optical element and said sensor array being movable relative to the other of said at least one optical element and said sensor array.

74. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 70, including a temperature measuring element disposed in a least one of said sensor array and a substrate supporting said sensor array, said temperature measuring element being capable of measuring a reference temperature.

75. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, and

means for displaying the output signals of said sensor array, wherein said displaying means displays a thermal image of at least a portion of the ear canal.

76. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, and

means for displaying the output signals of said sensor array wherein said displaying means is capable of displaying a thermal image of at least a portion of an obstruction in the outer ear.

77. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, and

means for displaying the output signals of said sensor array wherein said displaying means is capable of displaying a thermal image of at least a portion of an abscess in the outer ear.

78. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, and

means for displaying the output signals of said sensor array, wherein said displaying means includes means for displaying specified ranges of temperatures of said thermal image in an predetermined format.

79. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 78, wherein said range displaying means includes means for displaying ranges of temperatures of said temperature profile in false colors.

80. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, wherein said processing means includes means for determining pulse based upon temporal variations in the output signals of certain portions of said temperature profile.

81. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature from said temperature profile, said processing means includes estimating means for estimating the hottest temperature(s) in the outer ear wherein said estimating means includes means for interpolating the hottest temperature from the output signals in said sensor array.

82. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear; and

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature from said temperature profile including means for indicating to a user that the output signal corresponding to the hottest temperature measured by of the sensor array is not the core body temperature, wherein said indicating means includes directional guiding means for guiding a user to that portion of the outer ear having the hottest temperature.

83. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 82, wherein said indicating means includes at least one of the group consisting of audio, tactile, and light feedback.

84. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature and

at least one display for displaying the core body temperature(s) and including means for indicating to a user that the core body temperature being displayed is an estimated value.

85. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature, at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said target area onto said sensor array, means for thermally isolating the sensor array, means for thermally isolating the sensor array wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to allow only energy from said target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array and a substrate supporting said sensor array, said aperture stop being thermally connected to said substrate such that said aperture stop and said substrate have substantially equivalent temperatures.

86. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature, at least one lens for focusing a thermal image of said target area onto said sensor array, means for thermally isolating the sensor array, means for thermally isolating the sensor array wherein said thermal isolation means includes an aperture stop disposed in relation to said at least one lens and said sensor array to allow only energy from said target area and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array, including means for measuring the temperature of said baffle.

87. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 86, wherein said sensor array can be compensated for using the measured temperature of said aperture stop.

88. An ear thermometer as recited in claim 86, wherein said aperture stop temperature measuring means includes at least one infrared sensor of said sensor array.

89. An ear thermometer comprising:

a plurality of infrared sensors disposed in a sensor array, each of said infrared sensors being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of at least a section of a target area such that said array cumulatively provides a temperature profile of portions of the outer ear;

processing means for processing output signals from the sensor array, wherein said processing means includes means for determining body core temperature, an instrument housing retaining said plurality of sensors, said housing including an insertion portion including a locator which enables said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said target area including an objective lens disposed in a distal end of said insertion portion in the optical path to said sensor array, wherein said plurality of infrared sensors are disposed in said instrument housing said apparatus further including at least one relay lens disposed in the optical path to said sensor array for focusing an image from the distal objective lens onto said sensor array.

90. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target;

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target; and

outputting the signal representative of temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, said outputting step including the step of displaying the value of at least one output signal including the step of displaying ranges of a temperature profile of said medical target in a predetermined format,

wherein the step of displaying ranges of the temperature profile includes the step of determining the core body temperature of a patient.

91. A method as recited in claim 90, further including the steps of measuring each output signal of said sensor array and determining the output signals of the hottest temperature(s) of said medical target.

92. A method as recited in claim 90, further including the step of estimating the hottest temperature of portions if the medical target are one of obstructed and not detected by the sensor array.

93. A method as recited in claim 92, wherein said estimating step includes the step of predicting the hottest output signals for at least one estimated temperature from a profile of output signals.

94. A method as recited in claim 93, wherein said estimating means includes the step of extrapolating the hottest temperature from a series of output signals if portions of the medical target are obstructed from the sensor array.

95. A method as recited in claim 90, further including the step of indicating to a user that the output signal corresponding to the hottest temperature of said sensor array does not indicate the hottest temperature of the medical target.

96. A method as recited in claim 95, wherein said indicating step includes the step of providing at least one of audio, tactile, and light feedback to the user.

97. A method as recited in claim 90, wherein said sensor array is disposed on a substrate, said method including the further steps of measuring the temperature of the substrate and compensating the sensor array to account for the measured temperature of the substrate.

98. A method for accurately determining a method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target; and

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, including the step of determining pulse based on temporal variations in predetermined output signals of said sensor array.

99. A method as recited in claim 98, including the step of outputting the signal representative of temperature of said portion of the medical target.

100. A method as recited in claim 98, including the step of outputting the signal representative of temperature of said portion of the medical target wherein the outputting step includes the step of displaying the value of at least one output signal.

101. A method as recited in claim 98, including the step of outputting the signal representative of temperature of said portion of the medical target wherein the outputting step includes the step of displaying a thermal image of said medical target.

102. A method as recited in claim 101, including the step of superimposing the thermal image of said target with an optical image of said target.

103. A method as recited in claim 102, wherein said thermal sensor array is disposed in an instrument housing, said housing including an insertion portion having a locator to enable said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said sensor array and with optical imaging means of an optical imaging instrument for providing said optical image.

104. A method as recited in claim 100, wherein said displaying step includes the step of displaying at least one output signal of said sensor array using a video monitor.

105. A method as recited in claim 100, wherein said displaying step includes the step of displaying the hottest temperature(s) of the medical target interrogated by said sensor array.

106. A method as recited in claim 100, wherein said displaying step includes the step of displaying all of the output signals of said sensor array.

107. A method as recited in claim 100, wherein said displaying step includes the step of displaying ranges of a temperature profile of said medical target in a predetermined format.

108. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said determining step includes the step of determining the core body temperature of a patient.

109. A method as recited in claim 98, including the step of calibrating at least one infrared sensor of said sensor array.

110. A method as recited in claim 109, wherein said calibrating step includes the step of positioning a target having a known temperature and emissivity in the optical path to the sensor array.

111. A method as recited in claim 110, including the step of selectively moving said target into and out of the optical path to said sensor array.

112. A method as recited in claim 110, including the step of selectively moving at least one of said known target and an optical element aligned with said target in order to move the target into and out of the optical path to the sensor array.

113. A method as recited in claim 109, wherein said calibration step includes the step of measuring a reference temperature from a temperature measuring element disposed in at least one of said sensor array and a substrate supporting said sensor array.

114. A method as recited in claim 98, including the step of focusing a thermal image of said medical target onto said sensor array.

115. A method as recited in claim 114, including the step of thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target prior to said aiming step.

116. A method as recited in claim 115, wherein the thermal isolating step includes the step of placing an aperture stop in relation to a focusing lens and said sensor array in order to allow substantially only energy from said medical target and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array.

117. A method as recited in claim 116, wherein said sensor array is disposed in an instrument housing, said housing including an insertion portion having a locator to enable said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said sensor array.

118. A method as recited in claim 117, including the step of providing an objective lens in a distal end of said insertion portion of the optical path to said sensor array.

119. A method as recited in claim 118, further including the step of providing at least one relay lens in the optical path of said sensor array for focusing a thermal image from the distal objective lens onto said sensor array.

120. A method as recited in claim 98, including the step of moving at least one of at least one lens disposed in the optical path to said sensor array and said sensor array for variably focusing an image of said medical target onto said sensor array.

121. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is the tympanic membrane.

122. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is the armpit.

123. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is under the tongue.

124. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is the colon.

125. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is the rectum.

126. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is the temple area of a patient.

127. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is an in vivo portion of the skin.

128. A method as recited in claim 98, wherein said medical target is the tympanic membrane.

129. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target;

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, and estimating the hottest temperature of portions if the medical target are one of obstructed and not detected by the sensor array and interpolating the hottest temperature from the output signals in said sensor array.

130. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target;

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, outputting the signal representative of temperature of said portion of the medical target, indicating to a user that the output signal corresponding to the hottest temperature of said sensor array does not indicate the hottest temperature of the medical target and directionally guiding a user to the portion of the medical target having the hottest temperature.

131. A method as recited in claim 130, wherein said indicating step includes the step of providing at least one of audio, tactile and light feedback to the user.

132. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target;

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, estimating the hottest temperature of portions if the medical target are one of obstructed and not detected by the sensor array, displaying the hottest temperature of the medical target and indicating to a user that the displayed temperature is an estimated value if portions of the medical target are obstructed.

133. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target; and

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, outputting the signal representative of temperature of said portion of the medical target, focusing a thermal image of said medical target onto said sensor array, thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target prior to said aiming step, wherein the thermal isolating step includes the step of placing an aperture stop in relation to a focusing lens and said sensor array in order to allow substantially only energy from said medical target and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array and measuring the temperature of the aperture stop and compensating the sensor array using the measured temperature of said aperture stop.

134. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target; and

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, outputting the signal representative of temperature of said portion of the medical target, focusing a thermal image of said medical target onto said sensor array, thermally isolating the sensor array from input other than that of the medical target prior to said aiming step, wherein the thermal isolating step includes the step of placing an aperture stop in relation to a focusing lens and said sensor array in order to allow substantially only energy from said medical target and said aperture stop to impinge on said sensor array and thermally connecting the baffle to a substrate supporting said sensor array, such that the baffle and substrate have substantially equivalent temperatures.

135. A method for accurately determining the temperature of a medical target comprising the steps of:

aiming a sensor array at a medical target, said sensor array comprising a plurality of infrared sensing elements each being capable of providing an output signal indicative of temperature of a portion of said medical target; and

determining the temperature of at least a portion of said medical target, wherein said sensor array is disposed in an instrument housing, said housing including an insertion portion having a locator to enable said insertion portion to be positioned a predetermined distance in relation to said sensor array.

136. A method as recited in claim 135, including the step of providing an objective lens in a distal end of said insertion portion of the optical path to said sensor array.

137. A method as recited in claim 136, further including the step of providing at least one relay lens in the optical path of said sensor array for focusing a thermal image from the distal objective lens onto said sensor array.