Back to results
US 9,307,912 B2Granted
Temperature measurement system
AssigneeWelch Allyn, Inc.
InventorsMatthew D. Mullin, John A. Lane, David E. Quinn, Michael J. Anson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes measuring a first temperature of the patient with a temperature device without contacting the patient with the device, and measuring a second temperature of the patient by contacting a measurement site of the patient with the device. The method also includes determining a temperature value indicative of a core temperature of the patient based on the first and second temperatures.
Claims43
A method of determining a temperature of a patient, comprising:
- measuring a first temperature of the patient with a temperature device without contacting the patient with the device;
- measuring a second temperature of the patient by contacting a measurement site of the patient with the device;
- determining an orientation of the device relative to an outer surface of the patient while measuring the first temperature;
- and
- determining a series of core temperature estimates associated with the patient, wherein a first estimate of the series of core temperature estimates is based on the first and second temperatures and the orientation of the device, and at least the first and second temperatures are used as input values in calculating the first estimate, and wherein for each additional estimate of the series of core temperature estimates:
- a respective third temperature of the patient is measured using the device and without contacting the patient with the device,
- a respective fourth temperature of the patient is measured by contacting the patient with the device, and
- the respective third and fourth temperatures are used as input values in calculating the additional estimate.
5 more elements
A temperature measurement system, comprising:
- a temperature device including
- a first temperature sensor configured to determine a first temperature of a patient without contacting the patient with the device;
- a second temperature sensor configured to determine a second temperature of the patient by contacting a measurement site of the patient with a component of the system;
- a third sensor configured to determine an orientation of the device relative to an outer surface of the patient;
- and
- a controller associated with the device, the controller configured to receive signals indicative of the first and second temperatures from the first and second temperature sensors, to receive signals indicative of the orientation from the third sensor, and to determine a series of core temperature estimates associated with the patient, wherein a first estimate of the series of core temperature estimates is based on the first and second temperatures and the orientation, and at least the first and second temperatures are used as input values in calculating the first estimate, and wherein for each additional estimate of the series of core temperature estimates:
- a respective third temperature of the patient is measured using the device and without contacting the patient with the device,
- a respective fourth temperature of the patient is measured by contacting the patient with the device, and
- the respective third and fourth temperatures are used as input values in calculating the additional estimate.
6 more elements
A method of operating a temperature device, comprising:
- selecting between at least three operating modes of the temperature device including a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode, wherein
- in the first operating mode the temperature device is configured to
- measure a first temperature of a patient without contacting the patient with the device and
- determine a first estimate of a core temperature of the patient based on the first temperature,
- in the second operating mode the temperature device is configured to
- measure a second temperature of the patient by contacting a measurement site of the patient with the device and
- determine a second estimate of the core temperature of the patient based on the second temperature, and
- in the third operating mode the temperature device is configured to
- measure the first and second temperatures of the patient, and
- determine a third estimate of the core temperature based on the first and second temperatures, wherein:
- in the first operating mode, the first estimate is determined without regard to the second temperature,
- in the first second operating mode, the second estimate is determined without regard to the first temperature,
- in the third operating mode, the first and second temperatures are used as input values in calculating the respective estimate, and the device is configured to determine a series of core temperature estimates associated with the patient, wherein for each estimate of the series of core temperature estimates:
- a respective third temperature of the patient is measured using the device and without contacting the patient with the device,
- a respective fourth temperature of the patient is measured by contacting the patient with the device, and
- the respective third and fourth temperatures are used as input values in calculating the additional estimate.
13 more elements
A method of determining a series of core temperature estimates associated with a patient and using a temperature device, the method comprising:
- determining an orientation of the device relative to an outer surface of the patient;
- measuring a first temperature of the patient with a temperature sensor of the temperature device without contacting the patient with the device, wherein
- the temperature sensor comprises an array of infrared sensing elements, and measuring the first temperature comprises focusing at least one of the sensing elements on a location on the outer surface;
- measuring a second temperature of the patient by contacting the patient with a component of the device;
- and
- determining a first core temperature estimate based on the first temperature, the second temperature, and the orientation, wherein the first temperature, the second temperature, and the orientation are used as respective input values in calculating the first estimate, and wherein for each additional estimate of the series of core temperature estimates:
- a respective third temperature of the patient is measured using the device and without contacting the patient with the device,
- a respective fourth temperature of the patient is measured by contacting the patient with the device, and
- the respective third and fourth temperatures are used as input values in calculating the additional estimate.
6 more elements
A temperature measurement system, comprising:
- a temperature device including
- a first temperature sensor configured to determine a first temperature of a patient without contacting the patient with the device;
- a second temperature sensor configured to determine a second temperature of the patient by contacting a measurement site of the patient with a component of the system;
- and
- a controller associated with the device, the controller configured to:
- receive signals indicative of the first and second temperatures from the first and second temperature sensors,
- receive an image of the patient, wherein the image is generated without the first and second temperature sensors,
- correlate, using the image, elements of a sensor array of the device with a location on an outer surface of the patient,
- receive signals indicative of an orientation of the device relative to the outer surface of the patient, and
- determine a series of core temperature estimates associated with the patient, wherein a first estimate of the series of core temperature estimates is calculated based the first and second temperatures, the orientation, and the correlation, and at least the first and second temperatures are used as input values in calculating the first estimate, and wherein for each additional estimate of the series of core temperature estimates:
- a respective third temperature of the patient is measured using the device and without contacting the patient with the device,
- a respective fourth temperature of the patient is measured by contacting the patient with the device, and
- the respective third and fourth temperatures are used as input values in calculating the additional estimate.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.