Ear temperature monitor and method of temperature measurement
AssigneeAdvanced Monitors Corporation
InventorsJacob Fraden, Richard K. Ferlito
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A continuous body core temperature monitor comprises a pliable ear plug that conforms to the shape of an ear canal and incorporates a temperature sensor that is clamped between the plug and the ear canal wall. The external surface of the plug is connected to an external temperature sensor and a heating element that compensate for a heat lost from the ear canal to the environment by maintaining the temperature gradient between the temperature sensor and the heating element close to zero.
Claims8
A method for continuous monitoring of the internal temperature of a subject, comprising:
- positioning a first temperature sensor relative to a housing fabricated from metal having high thermal conductivity;
- thermally attaching a heater to a second temperature sensor and to the housing, the second temperature sensor being positioned within the housing;
- thermally insulating the first temperature sensor from the housing, the heater and the second temperature sensor;
- securing the housing on a surface of the subject;
- measuring the temperature of the surface using the first temperature sensor;
- generating heat with the heater at a rate that minimizes a temperature gradient between the first and second temperature sensors;
- and
- computing an internal temperature of the subject using signals from the first and second temperature sensors.
A method for continuous monitoring of the internal temperature of a subject, comprising:
- positioning a first temperature sensor relative to a housing fabricated from metal having high thermal conductivity;
- attaching a second temperature sensor to the housing;
- thermally insulating the first temperature sensor from the housing and from the second temperature sensor;
- securing the housing on a surface of the subject;
- measuring the temperature of the surface using the first temperature sensor;
- and
- computing an internal temperature of the subject using signals from the first and second temperature sensors.
A temperature sensing device for monitoring an internal temperature of a subject, comprising:
- a housing configured to be in contact with a surface of the subject;
- a first temperature sensor thermally insulated from said housing and configured to be thermally attached to the subject for detecting a surface temperature of the subject, wherein said housing is fabricated from metal having high thermal conductivity;
- a second temperature sensor thermally coupled to said housing;
- a thermal insulator positioned between said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor;
- and
- an electronic module electronically connected to said first temperature sensor and said second temperature sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.