Medical thermometer
US5632555A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 27, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K7/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved prediction-type medical thermometer that provides an accurate estimate of a patient's temperature in substantially reduced time as compared to prior thermometers of this kind. This improved performance is achieved by using a special hollow probe tip having a low heat capacity and incorporating a resistive heater that is actuated only upon removal of the probe from a base housing. The heater regulates the temperature to a value of about 93.degree. F. After the probe is applied to the patient, a microprocessor repeatedly samples the thermistor and estimates the patient's temperature based on the successive samples. If a predetermined number of successive temperature estimates lie within a predetermined error range, the sampling is terminated and the most recent estimate is displayed as the patient's temperature. In addition, when that estimate lies outside of a normal temperature range, an increased number of successive estimates lying within a predetermined error range are required before the thermometer displays the estimated temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.