Self-calibrating temperature sensing apparatus for use with a photo-thermal targeted treatment system and associated methods

A photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium, the photo-thermal targeted treatment system comprising:

• a controller;
• a photo-thermal treatment unit;
• and
• a temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface covering at least a portion of the medium,
• wherein the controller is configured for administering a treatment protocol using the photo-thermal treatment unit,
• wherein the photo-thermal treatment unit is configured for providing a cooling air stream and laser energy toward the measured surface,
• wherein the temperature measurement system includes 1) a first temperature sensor and 2) a reference assembly,
• wherein the reference assembly includes an opening with a reference surface located within the opening, a second temperature sensor positioned in contact with the reference surface and configured for measuring temperature of the reference surface, and a heater for heating the reference surface in accordance with control signals from the controller,
• wherein the first temperature sensor is a contactless temperature sensor with a field of view covering at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, and
• wherein the opening and the reference surface are configured to cooperate such that the reference surface is protected from direct exposure to the cooling air stream and the laser energy.

A method for operating a self-calibrating temperature sensing apparatus, the method comprising:

• activating a first temperature sensor;
• activating a reference assembly, the reference assembly including an opening with a reference surface located within the opening, a second temperature sensor positioned in contact with the reference surface and configured for measuring temperature of the reference surface, and a heater for heating the reference surface;
• measuring a contactless temperature reading of a target surface and the reference surface with the first temperature sensor;
• measuring a contact temperature reading of the reference surface using the second temperature sensor;
• comparing the contactless temperature reading and the contact temperature reading of the reference surface;
• and
• calibrating the contactless temperature reading of the target surface to calculate a calibrated target surface temperature.