Electronic clinical thermometer, method of controlling the same, and control program

• US 8,025,438 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nakamura, Kouji, Ikeda, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): KAPLAN VERBITSKY, GAIL
• Application Number:
  US12/007,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20080175302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 374/163, 374/164, 374/120, 374/121, 374/178, 374/183, 374/141, 374/134, 374/137, 374/1, 374/170, 374/169, 374100-104, 702/139, 702130-131, 702/169, 702/99, 702/136, 600/474, 600/549, 703/2
• US Class Current: 374/169
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/42 Circuits effecting compensation of thermal inertia; Circuits for predicting the stationary value of a temperature

Abstract

An electronic clinical thermometer having a low frequency of errors can be implemented. The electronic clinical thermometer for predicting an equilibrium temperature based on a temporal change in the actual measurement value of a temperature at a measurement target detected by a temperature detection element includes an abnormal change detection unit which detects an abnormal change of an actual measurement value from the temperature detection element, and a control unit which controls the start timing of a temporal change in actual measurement value used for derivation of a prediction value when the abnormal change detection unit detects an abnormality.

Claims

1. An electronic clinical thermometer for determining an equilibrium temperature by using a plurality of prediction equations based on a temporal change in actual measurement value of a temperature at a measurement target detected by a temperature detection element, comprising;

derivation means for deriving prediction values based on actual measurement values starting from a reference point;

abnormal change detection means for detecting an abnormal change of an actual measurement value from the temperature detection element;

adjustment means for adjusting said reference point when said abnormal change detection means detects the abnormal change;

selection means for selecting one prediction equation from said plurality of prediction equations, said one prediction equation being used for deriving said equilibrium temperature based on the changes of the prediction values derived by said derivation means for each prediction equation after a first predetermined period of time is elapsed from said reference point; and

determination means for determining whether the prediction values derived by the prediction equation selected by said selection means satisfy a preset prediction settling condition after a second predetermined period of time, which is longer than said first predetermined period of time, is elapsed from said reference point.

2. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the abnormal change includes at least a decrease in actual measurement value.

3. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment means adjusts said reference point to a timing at which the abnormal change of the actual measurement value is complete.

4. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detection element and a peripheral portion thereof have a heat capacity as low as 0.1 J/°

C. and a high heat response, and wherein said first predetermined period of time is about 25 seconds and said second predetermined period of time is about 30 seconds.