Capacitive sensor for thermometer probe
AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP
InventorsEric B. Holderle, Joseph A. Hudson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic thermometer includes a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject. At least one temperature sensor detects a temperature of the probe. A probe sensor detects a condition at the probe. The probe sensor has an idle condition when the probe is not inserted into the subject. A processor is operatively connected to the probe sensor and programmed to monitor a change in the condition of the probe sensor from the idle condition to determine whether the probe has been received in a probe cover and inserted into the subject.
Claims20
An electronic thermometer comprising:
- a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject;
- at least one temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the probe;
- a probe sensor for detecting a condition at the probe, the probe sensor having an idle condition when the probe is not inserted into the subject;
- and
- a processor operatively connected to the probe sensor and programmed to monitor a change in the condition of the probe sensor from the idle condition to determine whether the probe has been received in a probe cover and inserted into the subject.
A method of determining a temperature of a subject with an electronic thermometer, said thermometer having a probe adapted to be heated by a subject and at least one temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the probe, said method comprising:
- detecting a condition at the probe of the thermometer with a probe sensor, said probe sensor having an idle condition when the probe is not inserted into the subject;
- and
- monitoring a change in the condition of the probe sensor from the idle condition to determine whether the probe has been received in a probe cover and inserted into the subject;
- and
- detecting the temperature of the probe inserted into the subject by using the temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the subject.
A method of determining a temperature of a subject with an electronic thermometer, said method comprising:
- measuring a condition at a probe of the thermometer with a probe sensor, said probe sensor having an idle condition when the probe is not inserted into the subject;
- programming a processor of the thermometer to identify a first condition corresponding to a first change in condition measured by the probe sensor signaling that the probe has been inserted into the subject without a probe cover disposed over the probe, and a second condition corresponding to a second change in condition measured by the probe sensor different from the first change in condition signaling that the probe has been inserted into the subject with a probe cover disposed over the probe;
- and detecting a temperature of the probe inserted into the subject by using a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.