US 2016/0235306 A1 · THERMAL MONITORING AND CONTROL

Abstract

Systems and methods for non-invasive thermal monitoring use multiple coupling sensors and temperature sensors in order to determine multiple temperatures of a patient. The sensors may be carried by support structure such as a wrap, blanket, mattress, and similar structures. Signals generated by the coupling sensors reflect coupling strength and/or reliability between sensors and the patient. Positional information/mapping of temperature information can be derived from the coupling sensors, image sensors, and/or the variation of the temperature profile itself over time. The measurements may be used to construct a thermal (full-body) profile of the patient and provide targeted thermal control (heating/cooling).

Claims15

Dependent claims

A measuring system for non-invasive determination and control of one or more temperatures of a subject, the system comprising:

a body of engagement configured to engage with and/or support a subject wherein the body of engagement is further configured to be wrapped around the subject;
multiple coupling sensors that generate coupling signals conveying electrical and/or thermal coupling information with the subject, wherein the coupling sensors are carried by the body of engagement;
multiple temperature sensors that generate output signals conveying temperatures of the subject, wherein the temperature sensors are carried by the body of engagement;
and
one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:
a coupling module configured to determine coupling levels for individual ones of the temperature sensors based on the coupling signals generated by the coupling sensors;
a temperature determination module configured to determine multiple temperatures of the subject based on the output signals and the determined coupling levels.

4 more elements

A method of non-invasive determination and control of one or more temperatures of a subject, the method comprising;

engaging a subject with a body of engagement by wrapping the body of engagement around the subject;
generating, by coupling sensors, coupling signals conveying electrical and/or thermal coupling information with the subject at or near a point of engagement between the subject and the body of engagement;
generating, by temperature sensors, output signals conveying temperatures of the subject at or near a point of engagement between the subject and the body of engagement;
determining coupling levels for individual ones of the temperature sensors based on the coupling signals;
and
determining multiple temperatures of the subject based on the output signals and the determined coupling levels.

3 more elements

A system configured to provide non-invasive determination and control of one or more temperatures of a subject, the system comprising;

means for engaging a subject with a body by wrapping the means for engaging around the subject;
coupling means for generating coupling signals conveying electrical and/or thermal coupling information with the subject at or near a point of engagement between the subject and the means for engaging;
temperature means for generating output signals conveying temperatures of the subject at or near a point of engagement between the subject and the means for engaging;
means for determining coupling levels for the temperature means based on the coupling signals;
and
means for determining multiple temperatures of the subject based on the output signals and the determined coupling levels.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal monitoring and control

Life of this patent

Thermal monitoring and control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15