Thermal tympanic thermometer
First Claim
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1. A tympanic thermometer having a proximal end and a distal end, the thermometer comprising:
- a thermally conductive nozzle extending from the distal end of the thermometer, the nozzle being located and shaped to receive a probe cover thereon,a sensor can housing temperature sensing electronics for sensing temperature, the sensor can including a base thermally connected to the nozzle to define a path of conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the base of the can, the sensor can being otherwise free of thermal connection with a thermally conductive structure of greater mass than the sensor can,the thermometer in combination with the probe cover thermally connected to the nozzle as part of the path of conductive heat transfer, wherein heat from outside the thermometer is transferred from the probe cover through the nozzle to the base of the sensor can via the path of conductive heat transfer, and further wherein the probe cover is thermally connected to the nozzle solely at a distal end margin of the nozzle.
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Abstract
A tympanic thermometer includes a thermally conductive nozzle extending from a distal end of the thermometer. A base of a sensor can is thermally connected to the nozzle to define a path of conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the base of the can thereby minimizing a thermal gradient between proximal and distal ends of the sensor can when temperature is measured in the ear.
171 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tympanic thermometer having a proximal end and a distal end, the thermometer comprising:
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a thermally conductive nozzle extending from the distal end of the thermometer, the nozzle being located and shaped to receive a probe cover thereon, a sensor can housing temperature sensing electronics for sensing temperature, the sensor can including a base thermally connected to the nozzle to define a path of conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the base of the can, the sensor can being otherwise free of thermal connection with a thermally conductive structure of greater mass than the sensor can, the thermometer in combination with the probe cover thermally connected to the nozzle as part of the path of conductive heat transfer, wherein heat from outside the thermometer is transferred from the probe cover through the nozzle to the base of the sensor can via the path of conductive heat transfer, and further wherein the probe cover is thermally connected to the nozzle solely at a distal end margin of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tympanic thermometer having a proximal end and a distal end, the thermometer comprising:
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a thermally conductive nozzle extending from the distal end of the thermometer, the nozzle being located and shaped to receive a probe cover thereon, a sensor can housing temperature sensing electronics for sensing temperature, the sensor can including a base thermally connected to the nozzle to define a path of conductive heat transfer from the nozzle to the base of the can, the sensor can being otherwise free of thermal connection with a thermally conductive structure of greater mass than the sensor can, the thermometer further comprising a spring locator disposed in the nozzle and resiliently biasing the sensor can into contact with the nozzle, wherein the spring locator comprises spring members and a reinforcing element engaging the spring members to increase their spring force. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A tympanic thermometer having a proximal end and a distal end, the thermometer comprising:
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a thermally conductive nozzle extending from the distal end of the thermometer, a sensor can housing temperature sensing electronics for sensing temperature, the sensor can including a base thermally connected to the nozzle, the nozzle defining an air space on a proximal side of the sensor can base to inhibit heat transfer from the sensor can, the thermometer in combination with the probe cover thermally connected to the nozzle as part of the path of conductive heat transfer, wherein heat from outside the thermometer is transferred from the probe cover through the nozzle to the base of the sensor can via the path of conductive heat transfer, wherein the probe cover is thermally connected to the nozzle solely at a distal end margin of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification