Patent · US Expired

Infrared thermometer with automatic calibration

US4784149A · kind A · utility

152Cited by
11References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 1986
Grant dateNov 15, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01J5/80
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Infrared radiation emitted from tissue surface of body cavity is measured by an infrared sensor located within a probe which generates a signal voltage dependent on the difference in temperature between the tissue and the infrared sensor. An additional ambient sensor measures the ambient temperature of the infrared sensor. The signals of the two sensors are added. To calibrate and eliminate errors, the housing of the device is provided with a chamber shaped to receive the probe and containing a target viewed by the infrared sensor. An error signal is thus generated which is added to the signals of the two sensors when they view the body tissue. A disposable, sanitary cover for the probe is made of a truncated polyethylene member of substantially uniform thickness closed by an end window. A filter in the probe suppresses absorption bands of polyethylene to eliminate errors due to minor variations in cover thickness.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.