Digital thermometer for measuring body temperature

Abstract

A digital thermometer with enhanced conformity to the anatomy, such as in and around the mouth of a human being. A non-linear probe has a temperature sensor at a first end adapted to be inserted into the mouth and under the tongue, and a downwardly disposed housing portion at the second end. An intermediate portion of the probe is shaped to rest on the lower lip and / or teeth. The probe is preferably integrally molded with the housing. The probe may also be flexible such that it may be bent into the desired non-linear configuration prior to use. Such a flexible probe may have an internal stiffener with a softer plastic overmold. A display component displays the measured temperature. Electronic circuitry receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, translates the signal into a value representative of the measured temperature, and provides the translated value to the display for displaying the temperature.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION [0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 10 / 141,429, filed on May 8, 2002, entitled “Digital Thermometer for Measuring Body Temperature,” the priority of which is hereby claimed for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to apparatus for electronically measuring the temperature of a living body, and more particularly, to a digital thermometer that exhibits enhanced conformity to the anatomy of a human being, especially in and around the mouth. [0003] The basic mercury thermometer has been the standard for measuring body temperature for decades and is known virtually throughout the world. It consists of a hollow glass rod with a bulb of mercury at one end and a temperature scale along the glass rod. Typically, it is inserted into the mouth of a human being. Errors can of course be made in reading the temperature from the scal...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a digital thermometer with improved balance to prevent the temperature sensing tip from accidentally sliding out from under the tongue of a patient. It also exhibits enhanced conformity to the anatomy of the patient, particularly in and around the mouth. The probe of the digital thermometer is non-linear and has an intermediate portion that can be shaped to rest over the lower lip and / or lower teeth of a patient. The housing is downwardly disposed outside of the mouth, supporting itself in some embodiments with a seating area of the probe resting on the patient's lower teeth and / or lower lip. The probe can be integrally molded to the housing or flexible and bent into a desired non-linear configuration to best fit the mouth of the patient. The invention provides better accuracy and ease of use for measuring the temperature of a living being."

Problems solved by technology

Errors can of course be made in reading the temperature from the scale.

From the patient's viewpoint, this form of thermometer is awkward because the thermometer must be held under the tongue.

However, this extension of the lower jaw is unnatural and uncomfortable.

However, these linear electronic thermometers exacerbate the problems of keeping the tip of the thermometer under the tongue due to the increased moments of inertia presented by the additional weight and mass of the enlarged housing at the opposite end of the thermometer.

This problem can be particularly acute in patients unused to, or uncooperative in, having their temperature taken, such as children or the elderly.

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