A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to thermometers used for measuring the temperature of the human being and particularly relates to contact type thermometers for measuring the body temperature. This present invention more particularly relates to contact type infra red thermometers for measuring the body temperature.

B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Body temperature is a measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a narrow, safe range in spite of large variations in temperatures outside the body. The body temperature can be measured in many locations on your body. The mouth, ear, armpit, fore head, and rectum are the most commonly used places. The normal core body temperature of a healthy, resting adult human being is stated to be at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.0 degrees Celsius. Though the body temperature measured on an individual can vary, a healthy human body can maintain a fairly consistent body temperature that is around the mark of 37.0 degrees Celsius.
[0003] Doctors, nurses, parents, care providers, etc. utilize thermometers to measure a subject's body temperature for detecting and monitoring the subject's body temperature, etc. An accurate reading of a subject's body temperature is required for effective use and should be taken from the internal or core temperature of a subject's body. The basic thermometer has been the standard for measuring body temperature for decades and is known virtually thought the world. Various types of thermometers are known in the art.

[0004] Body temperature is the most frequently tested parameter to check physiological condition of the human body. Years of research and experience have enabled human beings to select appropriate locations on the body, which represent the core body temperature.

These locations include Oral cavity, anus, auxiliary area, and tympanic membrane. Infrared technique for temperature measurement is many times faster than the conventional thermistor or thermocouple measurement techniques. The former also has same level of accuracy as the later when carried out in an ideal way. The IR technique basically measures the amount of radiation emitted by a body, which is related to the temperature of a body.

[0005] The currently available methods uses electronic thermometer and IR Ear thermometer for measuring body temperature. Measurement by electronic thermometer in normal mode is extremely slow taking about 3 minutes. This leads to wastage of time of the medical staff and discomfort to patient. The measurement in predictive mode is prone to errors as it is at the mercy of an algorithm to predict a real life response. The measurement by the IR ear thermometer has failed to attract attention of most of the physicians due to inaccuracies in the measurement. These inaccuracies are inherent in the contemporary system as explained by the following line of reasoning. The calculation of temperature from the emission data collected by IR sensor needs emissivity value of the substance whose temperature is being measured. It is difficult to fix an emissivity value lo human body or skin, as it varies based on sundry factors such as skin color, skin reflectance, shape of the body cavity selected, the way in which the IR sensors are oriented in the cavity, deposition of other substances inside the cavity and smoothness of the surface in the cavity. All these factors play their part in disabling the measurement being carried out in an ideal way thus introducing considerable amount of error.

[0006] Hence there is a need to develop a method to measure human body temperature to improve accuracy and response lime.

[0007] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to develop an IR probe for contact type temperature measurement of human body accurately and quickly.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a non contact type IR system for measuring the temperature of the human body. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a compartment is provided at the tip of the probe, which acts like a black body. An IR sensor is placed at the aperture of the block body. The system may be placed at the oral cavity, anus, or auxiliary area to measure the temperature of the human body directly. The system is used as a contact type temperature measurement device for measuring the temperature of the human body.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a contact type infrared (IR) sensor attached to for contact type IR sensor system has housing. A black body compartment is provided at one end of the housing. A probe side connector is provided at another end of the housing. An aperture is provided in the housing below the black body compartment. A base is attached to the probe side connector and arranged inside the housing. A handle is attached to the base. A probe tip holder is attached to the handle. An infrared (IR) sensor probe is mounted on the probe tip holder. A lens is provided above the IR sensor probe.

[0012] The blackbody compartment is formed by coating the inner side wall of the housing at one end with a block body material to absorb the heat of a human body, when the IR probe housing is inserted inside a organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The black body material is thermally conductive to transfer the heat from the body of a patient to the IR sensor probe. The aperture is a small capillary to allow the radiations from the black body to fall on the IR sensor probe and to prevent the heating of the black body compartment due to ambient heat sources. The housing is made of a material which is compliant with the safety standards for inserting into an organ of a patient.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a contact type IR sensor system has an oral infrared sensor probe is inserted orally inside an organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The IR sensor probe is in contact with an organ of the human body and receives the heat radiation from the organ of the body to measure the temperature of the human body. A signal acquisition circuit is connected to the IR sensor probe to receive a signal which is output from the IR sensor probe with respect to the temperature of the human body. An amplification and signal processing circuit is connected to the signal acquisition circuit to amplify the signal received by signal acquisition circuit. An analog to digital controller is connected to the amplification and signal acquisition circuit to output a digital signal. A microcontroller receives the digital signal to out a temperature value either in Celsius scale or in a Fahrenheit scale for displaying on a the display unit. A key board is connected to the microcontroller to input patient details.

[0014] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a contact type IR sensor to measure the body temperature easily, efficiently and quickly.

E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] FIG.l illustrates a perspective view of a contact type IR sensor system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of a contact type IR sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG.3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a contact type IR sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG.4 illustrates a block circuit diagram of a contact type IR sensor system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a non contact type IR system for measuring the temperature of the human body. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a compartment is provided at the tip of the probe, which acts like a black body. An IR sensor is placed at the aperture of the block body. The system may be placed at the oral cavity, anus, or auxiliary area to measure the temperature of the human body directly. The system is used as a contact type temperature measurement device for measuring the temperature of the human body.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a contact type infrared (IR) sensor attached to for contact type IR sensor system has housing. A black body compartment is provided at one end of the housing. A probe side connector is provided at another end of the housing. An aperture is provided in the housing below the black body compartment. A base is attached to the probe side connector and arranged inside the housing. A handle is attached to the base. A probe tip holder is attached to the handle. An infrared (IR) sensor probe is mounted on the probe tip holder. A lens is provided above the IR sensor probe.

[0024] The blackbody compartment is formed by coating the inner side wall of the housing at one end with a block body material to absorb the heat of a human body, when the IR probe housing is inserted inside a organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The black body material is thermally conductive to transfer the heat from the body of a patient to the IR sensor probe. The aperture is a small capillary to allow the radiations from the black body to fall on the IR sensor probe and to prevent the heating of the black body compartment due to ambient heat sources. The housing is made of a material which is compliant with the safety standards for inserting into an organ of a patient.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a contact type IR sensor system has an oral infrared sensor probe is inserted orally inside an organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The IR sensor probe is in contact with an organ of the human body and receives the heat radiation from the organ of the body to measure the temperature of the human body. A signal acquisition circuit is connected to the IR sensor probe to receive a signal which is output from the IR sensor probe with respect to the temperature of the human body. An amplification and signal processing circuit is connected to the signal acquisition circuit to amplify the signal received by signal acquisition circuit. An analog to digital controller is connected to the amplification and signal acquisition circuit to output a digital signal. A microcontroller receives the digital signal to out a temperature value either in Celsius scale or in a Fahrenheit scale for displaying on a the display unit. A key board is connected to the microcontroller to input patient details.

[0026] FIG.l illustrates a perspective view of a contact type IR sensor system according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.l, the IR sensor probe has a housing provided with a black body compartment at one end. An aperture provided below the black body compartment to receive an IR probe 14. A lens 11 is provided above the IR probe 14. An amplifier 15 is connected to the IR probe 14. A processor 16 is connected to the amplifier 15. Pluralities of buttons 13 are provided to operate the IR probe 14.

[0027] The infrared sensor probe 14 is inserted orally inside an organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The IR sensor probe 14 is in contact with an organ of the human body and receives the heat radiation from the organ of the body to measure the temperature of the human body. A signal acquisition circuit is connected to the IR sensor probe 14 to receive a signal which is output from the IR sensor probe 14 with respect to the temperature of the human body. An amplification and signal processing circuit 15 is connected to the signal acquisition circuit to amplify the signal received by signal acquisition circuit. An analog to digital controller is connected to the amplification and signal acquisition circuit 15 to output a digital signal. A microcontroller 16 receives the digital signal to out a temperature value either in Celsius scale or in a Fahrenheit scale for displaying on a the display unit 12 such as a liquid crystal display. A key board is connected to the microcontroller to input patient details.

[0028] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of a contact type IR sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG.2, a contact type infrared (IR) sensor attached to for contact type IR sensor system has housing. A black body compartment 25 is provided at one end of the housing 22. A probe side connector 24 is provided at another end of the housing 22. An aperture 21 is provided in the housing 22 below the black body compartment 25. An infrared (IR) sensor probe 26 is mounted inside the housing 22. A lens is provided above the IR sensor probe 26.

[0029] The blackbody compartment 25 is formed by coating the inner side wall of the housing 22 at one end with a block body material to absorb the heat of a human body, when the IR probe housing 22 is inserted inside an organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The black body material is thermally conductive to transfer the heat from the body of a patient to the IR sensor probe 26. The aperture 2lis a small capillary to allow the radiations from the black body to fall on the IR sensor probe 26 and to prevent the heating of the black body compartment 25 due to ambient heat sources. The housing 22 is made of a material which is compliant with the safety standards for inserting into an organ of a patient.

[0030] FIG.3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a contact type IR sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a contact type infrared (IR) sensor attached to for contact type IR sensor system has housing. A black body compartment 38 is provided at one end 31 of the housing. A probe side connector 36 is provided at another end of the housing. An aperture is provided in the housing below the black body compartment 38. A base 34 is attached to the probe side connector 36 and arranged inside the housing. A handle 33 is attached to the base 34. A probe tip holder 32 is attached to the handle 33. An infreired (IR) sensor probe 26 is mounted on the probe tip holder 32. A lens is provided above the IR sensor probe 26. The probe side connector is coupled to a signal and processing circuit 40.

[0031] The blackbody compartment 3 Sis formed by coating the inner side wall of the housing at one end 31 with a block body material to absorb the heat of a human body, when the IR probe housing is inserted inside a organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature. The black body material is thermally conductive to transfer the heat from the body of a patient to the IR sensor probe 26. The aperture 37 is a small capillary to allow the radiations from the black body to fall on the IR sensor probe 26 and to prevent the heating of the black body compartment 38 due to ambient heat sources. The housing is made of a material which is compliant with the safety standards for inserting into an organ of a patient.

[0032] FIG.4 illustrates a block circuit diagram of a contact type IR sensor system according to one embodiment of the present
invention. With respect to FIG.4, a contact type IR sensor system 42 has an oral infrared sensor probe 26 inserted orally inside an organ of a human body of a patient 41 to measure the human body temperature. The IR sensor probe 26 is in contact with an organ of the human body and receives the heat radiation from the organ of the body to measure the temperature of the human body. A signal acquisition circuit 43 is connected to the IR sensor probe 26 to receive a signal which is output from the IR sensor probe 26 with respect to the temperature of the human body. An amplification and signal processing circuit 44 is connected to the signal acquisition circuit 43 to amplify the signal received by signal acquisition circuit 43. An analog to digital converter 45 is connected to the amplification and signal acquisition circuit 44 to output a digital signal. A microcontroller 46 receives the digital signal to out a temperature value either in Celsius scale or in a Fahrenheit scale for displaying on a the display unit 47 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. A key board 48 is connected to the microcontroller to input patient details.

F) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Thus the various embodiments of the present invention provide a contact type IR sensor to measure the body temperature easily, efficiently and quickly.

[0034] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0035] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

1. A contact type infrared (IR) sensor for contact type IR sensor system comprising: A housing;

A black body compartment provided at one end of the housing;

A probe side connector provided at another end of the housing;

An aperture provided in the housing below the black body compartment

A base attached to the probe side connector and arranged inside the housing;

A handle attached to the base;

A probe tip holder attached to the handle;

An infrared (IR) sensor probe mounted on the probe tip holder; and

A lens provided above the IR sensor probe;

Wherein the blackbody compartment is formed by coating the inner side wall of the housing at one end with a block body material to absorb the heat of a human body, when the IR probe housing is inserted inside a organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the black body material is thermally conductive to transfer the heat from the body of a patient to the IR sensor probe.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is a small capillary to allow the radiations from the black body to fall on the IR sensor probe and to prevent the heating of the black body compartment due to ambient heat sources.

4. The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a material which is compliant with the safety standards for inserting into an organ of a patient.

5. A contact type IR sensor system comprising:

An oral infrared sensor probe;

A signal acquisition circuit;

An amplification and signal processing circuit;

An analog to digital converter;

A microcontroller;

A display; and

A key pad

Wherein the IR sensor probe is inserted orally inside a organ of a human body to measure the human body temperature.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the IR sensor probe is in contact with an organ of the human body and receives the heat radiation from the organ of the body to measure the temperature of the human body.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the signal acquisition circuit is connected to the IR sensor probe to receive a signal which is output from the IR sensor probe with respect to the temperature of the human body.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the amplification and signal processing circuit is connected to the signal acquisition
circuit to amplify the signal received by signal acquisition circuit.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the analog to digital controller is connected to the amplification and signal acquisition circuit to output a digital signal.

10. The system according to claim 5, wherein the microcontroller receives the digital signal to out a temperature value either in Celsius scale or in a Fahrenheit scale for displaying on a the display unit.