Body temperature thermometer and method fo measuring human body temperature utilizing calibration mapping

A tympanic thermometer, comprising:

• first sensor means for generating a first output signal representative of an amount of infrared radiation impinging thereon from an external ear canal of a patient;
• second sensor means for generating a second output signal representative of a temperature of the first sensor;
• probe means for receiving infrared radiation emitted by the biological surface tissue and directing the radiation to the first sensor means;
• third sensor means for generating a third output signal representative of a temperature of the infrared radiation receiving and directing means;
• processor means connected to the sensor means for processing the output signals to determine a body temperature of the patient utilizing a calibration mapping of a plurality of target temperatures to corresponding output signals over a predetermined range of ambient temperatures;
• and
• means connected to the processing means for providing a user with an indication of the determined body temperature.

A method of determining the body temperature of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a probe head assembly having a probe tip insertable in an external ear canal of a patient and an infrared sensor;
• sampling the output of the infrared sensor prior to insertion of the probe tip into the external ear canal and storing a first set of values representative thereof;
• inserting the probe tip into the external ear canal so that infrared emissions in the external ear canal impinge on the infrared sensor;
• sampling the output of the infrared sensor and storing a second set of values representative thereof;
• and
• determining a body temperature of the patient based upon a peak value of the first and second set of values.

A method of determining the body temperature of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a probe head assembly having a first sensor for receiving infrared radiation emitted in the ear canal of a patient and generating a first output signal representative of the amount of infrared radiation impinging thereon and a second sensor for generating a second output signal representative of the temperature of the first sensor;
• successively pointing the probe head assembly at a plurality of targets each maintained at a corresponding reference temperature;
• storing a calibration mapping of the magnitudes of the first and second output signals for each of the targets;
• and
• pointing the probe head assembly at the external ear canal and determining the body temperature of the patient utilizing the outputs signals from the sensors and the calibration mapping.

A tympanic thermometer, comprising:

• a non-isothermal probe head assembly including an infrared sensor, a waveguide for receiving and directing infrared radiation from the external ear canal and the tympanic membrane of a patient, and means for supporting the waveguide and the first sensor so that a rear end of the waveguide is spaced adjacent to an active face of the infrared sensor, the supporting means being made solely of plastic to minimize heat flow;
• an ambient sensor mounted in the probe assembly;
• and
• means connected to the infrared sensor and the ambient sensor for determining a body temperature of the patient.