Method and device for monitoring thermal stress

• US 7,942,825 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2008
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Solarski, Ralph Andrew, Anderson, Joel P., Baker, Andrew Thomas, Gatto, Jeanne Marie, Heller, Jeff, Ranganathan, Sridhar
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pani; John
• Application Number:
  US12/135,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20090306536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 600/549, 374 29- 30, 374100-102, 374/107, 374/186, 374/204, 374/205
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes

Abstract

A method and device for monitoring thermal stress in a user is described. The device is designed to include a material having specific thermodynamic properties and physical dimensions defined as a function of those thermodynamic properties. A system for thermal stress monitoring including a thermal stress monitoring device configured within a garment is also described.

Claims

1. A method for continuous non-invasive monitoring of thermal stress of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a device comprising,

at least one first temperature sensor configured to be placed in thermal contact with skin of the user,

at least one second temperature sensor, and

an insulating layer positioned between the first and second temperature sensor,

where the insulating layer comprises an outer periphery and a thermal conductance (L_band),

where the thermal conductance (L_band) of the insulating layer satisfies the following equation

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the subsequent step of comparing the determined core temperature to a threshold temperature range.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the subsequent step of providing an alert when the determined core temperature is outside the threshold temperature range.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the subsequent step of comparing the determined change in core temperature to a threshold temperature change range.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the subsequent step of providing an alert when the determined change in core temperature is outside the threshold temperature range.

6. The method of claim 5, where the alert is provided to the user.

7. The method of claim 6, where the alert is selected from a group consisting of audible alert, visual display, vibration, and a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, where the step of placing said device in contact with the skin of the user comprises placing said device in contact with the skin of the user proximate to a temporal artery of the user.

9. The method of claim 1, where the step of placing said device in contact with the skin of the user comprises affixing said device to the skin of the user.

10. The method of claim 1, where the thermal conductance (L_band) of the insulating layer is between 230 and 910 W/m² K, and where the distance (w) is between 3.5 cm and 7 cm.

11. A device for continuous non-invasive monitoring thermal stress of a user, the device comprising:

at least one first temperature sensor configured to be placed in thermal contact with skin of the user,

at least one second temperature sensor, and

an insulating layer positioned between the first and second temperature sensor,

where the insulating layer comprises an outer periphery and a thermal conductance (L_band),

where the thermal conductance (L_band) of the insulating layer satisfies the following equation

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a processor, where the processor is configured to receive input from each of the first and second temperature sensors and determine a core temperature.

13. The device of claim 12, where the processor is configured to compare the determined core temperature to a stored threshold core temperature range, and where the processor is configured to output an alert signal when the determined core temperature is outside the stored threshold core temperature range.

14. The device of claim 12, where the processor is configured to determine a change in core temperature.

15. The device of claim 14, where the processor is configured to compare the determined change in core temperature to a stored threshold change in core temperature range, and where the processor is configured to output an alert signal when the determined change in core temperature is outside the stored threshold change in core temperature range.

16. The device of claim 15, where the processor is configured to compare the determined core temperature to a stored warning core temperature range and output a warning alert signal when the determined core temperature is outside the stored warning core temperature range, and where the processor is configured to compare the determined change in core temperature to a stored warning change in core temperature range, and where the processor is configured to output a warning alert signal when the determined change in core temperature is outside the stored warning change in core temperature range.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising an alert mechanism.

18. The device of claim 11, further comprising a backing and an adhesive present on said backing, where the backing and adhesive are configured to affix the device to the skin of the user.

19. A system for continuous monitoring of thermal stress of a user, the system comprising,

a thermal stress monitoring device;

and

a garment;

where the garment is configured to place the monitoring device in thermal communication with skin of the user,

and where the monitoring device comprises,

at least one first temperature sensor configured to be placed in thermal contact with skin of the user,

at least one second temperature sensor, and

an insulating layer positioned between the first and second temperature sensor,

where the insulating layer comprises an outer periphery and a thermal conductance (L_band),

where the thermal conductance (L_band)of the insulating layer satisfies the following equation

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an alert mechanism.

21. The system of claim 20, where the alert mechanism is included in the garment.

22. The system of claim 20, where the alert mechanism is configured such that an alert generated by the alert mechanism may not be reset by user being monitored.

23. The system of claim 19, where the garment is selected from the group consisting of a bandage, a sweatband, a hardhat, a welding helmet, a hood, eyewear, and a cap.

24. The system of claim 19, further comprising a proximity sensor configured to determine if the monitoring device is in contact with the user, and where the system is configured to output an alert signal if the device is not in contact with the user.