Medical thermometer
US6000846A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2017 |
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. In particular, a processor measures an initial temperature upon the probe's removal and applies to the heater an initial electrical signal having prescribed parameter, e.g., pulse duration, that varies according to the initial temperature measurement. This warms the probe to a prescribed temperature at or near about 93.degree. F., after which the processor applies a sequence of pulses to the heater, to controllably regulate the probe's temperature to the prescribed value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.