Temperature monitoring and indicator system for a cast saw

A power tool operable by a user, the power tool comprising:

• a) a cutting device having a temperature, wherein the cutting device comprises a metal blade and a shroud at least partly surrounding the metal blade;
• b) a data generating module, which is configured to generate data correlative to the temperature of the cutting device;
• c) a data collection and processing module which is configured to:
• i) collect the data correlative to the temperature of the cutting device, and
• ii) process the data correlative to the temperature of the cutting device to determine the temperature of the cutting device;
• d) a temperature notification module which is configured to:
• i) receive the temperature of the cutting device from the data collection and processing module, and
• ii) produce a temperature output that can be detected by the user.

A shroud for a cutting blade of a power tool, the shroud comprising,

• a first housing portion for the cutting blade;
• a second housing portion for a data generating module configured to generate data correlative to a temperature of the cutting blade;
• a third housing portion for a temperature notification module configured to produce a temperature output that can be sensed by a user of the power tool;
• and
• a data generating module, wherein the data generating module comprises at least one of an infrared detector or a thermocouple,
• wherein the third housing portion is configured to hold the at least one of the infrared detector or the thermocouple within non-contacting proximity to and no more than 3 mm away from the cutting blade.

A method of operating a cast saw to cut a cast off of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• 1) Providing the cast saw wherein the cast saw comprises:
• a) a cutting device having a temperature;
• b) a data generating module configured to generate data correlative to the temperature of the cutting device;
• c) a data collection and processing module which is configured to:
• i) collect the data correlative to the temperature of the cutting device, and
• ii) process the data correlative to the temperature of the cutting device to determine the temperature of the cutting device;
• d) a temperature notification module which is configured to:
• i) receive the temperature of the cutting device from the data collection and processing module,
• ii) produce a first temperature output corresponding to a safe temperature of the cutting device, and
• iii) produce a second temperature output corresponding to an excessive temperature of the cutting device, wherein the first output and the second output can be detected by a user of the cast saw;
• e) an ON/OFF switch;
• 2) Detecting that the temperature notification module is producing the first temperature output and is not producing the second temperature output;
• 3) Turning the ON/OFF switch to ON and operating the case saw to cut the cast;
• 4) Turning the ON/OFF switch to OFF when the cast is completely cut.