Abstract: A body temperature thermometer has a probe head assembly (8) which includes a first sensor (10), such as a thermopile, for generating a first output signal representative of an amount of infrared radiation impinging thereon The probe head assembly further includes a waveguide (16) and a surrounding hollow probe (14) for receiving infrared radiation emitted by a biological surface tissue, such as the external ear canal and tympanic membrane of a patient, and directing the radiation to the first sensor. A second sensor (12) is mounted in the probe head assembly for generating a second output signal representative of a temperature of the first sensor. A third sensor (26) is thermally coupled to the waveguide for providing a third output signal representative to the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A sanitary protective cover or sheath for the ear canal probe of a tympanic thermometer. The speculum has a generally tubular body portion and an infrared transparent membrane attached to and sealing the forward end of the body portion. While the tubular body portion is being injection molded of plastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene, a film of a similar plastic material is mated to the forward end of membrane and is thus severed from the film and one side thereof thermally bonded to the tubular body portion. At the same time a bonding ring of roughly the same diameter as the forward end of the tubular body portion is injection molded. The ring is thermally bonded to the opposite side of the film in alignment with the forward end of the tubular body portion.