Ear temperature monitor and method of temperature measurement

• US 20040254497A1
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Monitors Corporation
• Original Assignee: Advanced Monitors Corporation
• Inventors: Ferlito, Richard K., Fraden, Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 7,306,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/165 for application in zero heat flux sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/022 Suction thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals

Abstract

A continuous body core temperature monitor comprises a pliable ear plug that conforms to the shape of an ear canal and incorporates a temperature sensor that is clamped between the plug and the ear canal wall. The external surface of the plug is connected to an external temperature sensor and a heating element that compensate for a heat lost from the ear canal to the environment by maintaining the temperature gradient between the temperature sensor and the heating element close to zero.

Claims

1. Canceled.

2. Canceled.

3. Canceled.

4. Canceled.

5. Canceled.

6. Canceled.

7. Canceled.

8. Canceled.

9. Canceled.

10. Canceled.

11. Canceled.

12. Canceled.

13. Canceled.

14. Canceled.

15. Canceled.

16. Canceled.

17. Canceled.

18. A temperature sensing device for monitoring an internal temperature of a subject, comprising:

an enclosure configured to be in contact with a surface of the subject;

at least one temperature transducer thermally insulated from said enclosure and configured to be thermally attached to the subject for detecting a surface temperature of the subject;

a temperature sensor thermally coupled to said enclosure;

a thermal insulator positioned between said temperature transducer and said temperature sensor;

an electronic module connected to said temperature transducer and said temperature sensor.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said enclosure is fabricated of a material having high thermal conductivity.

20. The device of claim 18, further comprising a heater thermally coupled to said enclosure and electrically coupled to said electronic module.

21. The device of claim 18, wherein said thermal insulator further comprises a void between said temperature sensor and said temperature transducer.

22. The device of claim 18, wherein said electronic module further comprises a data transmitter for broadcasting responses of said temperature transducer and said temperature sensor.

23. The device of claim 18 further comprising an external monitor coupled to said electronic module and containing a power supply and signal processor for computation of the internal body temperature of the subject.

24. The method for continuous monitoring of the internal temperature of a subject, comprising:

attaching a temperature sensor to a thermally conductive enclosure;

insulating a temperature transducer from the enclosure and from the temperature sensor;

securing the enclosure on a surface of the subject;

measuring the temperature of the surface using the temperature transducer;

computing an internal temperature of the subject using signals from the temperature transducer and the temperature sensor.

25. The method of claim 24, where computing the internal temperature further comprises determining a temperature gradient between the temperature transducer and the temperature sensor and subsequently multiplying the gradient by an experimental constant.

26. A method for continuous monitoring of the internal temperature of a subject, comprising:

attaching a temperature sensor to a thermally conductive enclosure and to a heater;

insulating a temperature transducer from the enclosure, the heater and the temperature sensor;

securing the enclosure on a surface of the subject;

measuring the temperature of the surface using the temperature transducer;

generating heat with the heater at a rate that minimizes a temperature gradient between the temperature sensor and the temperature transducer;

computing an internal temperature of the subject using signals from the temperature sensor and the temperature transducer.