Electronic thermometer with probe isolation chamber

US4619271A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Chesebrough-Pond's Co. · US

Inventors

• Laurie J. Burger · Attleboro Falls, US
• Joel N. Helfer · Cheshire, US
• Donald E. Protzmann · Litchfield, US
• Robert F. Uhl · Cheshire, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 13, 1984
• Grant date: Oct 28, 1986
• Expiry date: Dec 13, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01K13/20
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electronic thermometer includes a color coded probe permanently fastened by an electrical cable to a color coded isolation chamber to prevent inadvertent use of a rectal probe with an oral isolation chamber. Red and blue isolation chambers used for oral and rectal temperatures, respectively, can readily be used with one thermometer housing. A connector between the isolation chamber and the housing automatically connects and disconnects the probe and the thermometer circuits when the isolation chamber is inserted into or removed from the housing. Moreover, insertion of the probe into the isolation chamber automatically actuates a switch in the electronic thermometer housing to deactivate the electric circuits. Withdrawal of the probe from the chamber automatically supplies power to the thermometer circuits to ready the thermometer for operation.