Abstract: An improved medical thermometer is disclosed 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 configuring the thermometer to include a hollow, thin-walled metallic probe tip sized for secure attachment to the remote end of an elongated base. This defines an elongated cavity within the probe tip, and a thermistor is bonded to the probe tip within that cavity. The cavity is configured to be substantially longer in the direction of the probe's longitudinal axis than it is in a transverse direction, to inhibit the conduction of heat along the probe tip to the elongated base. The temperature of the thermistor, therefore, closely follows the temperature of any surface that contacts the metallic tip.

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.

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.

Abstract: A container for carrying a uniform, fan-folded stack of plastic sheet assemblies and for allowing the assemblies to be conveniently dispensed, one at a time, with minimal risk that the stack will become jammed. The stack of assemblies is retained behind a constriction within an elongated chamber having a corresponding shape and slightly larger size. Pulling the forward-most assembly through a narrow channel and exit slot at the forward end of the container flexes a trailing assembly past the constriction, while the remaining assemblies remain retained behind the constriction. In addition, a shallow recess in a wall defining the narrow channel conformingly receives a plastic sheet assembly in position to be dispensed, with the recess' rear periphery inhibiting the assembly from being moved unintentionally back into the chamber.

Abstract: A probe assembly for an infrared medical thermometer, which is adapted for insertion into a patient's ear canal and which facilitates a rapid measurement of the patient's body temperature with very high accuracy. The probe assembly includes a plastic outer tube sized to fit snugly in the patient's ear canal, with an elongated heat sink and an infrared sensor located within the tube. A cylindrical shield and inwardly-projecting guard ring ensure that the sensor's hot junction receives radiation only from the ear canal and that the sensor's cold junction is prevented from being heated for at least sufficient time to allow the thermometer to provide an accurate measurement of the patient's body temperature.

Abstract: A self-contained handheld infrared medical thermometer having an elongated probe that is reciprocably movable between a retracted position, located fully within the thermometer housing, and an extended position, located exterior to the housing. When extended, the probe is adapted for insertion into a patient's outer ear canal to measure the patient's body temperature. When the probe is retracted within the housing, a reference plate is pivoted in front of the probe, to facilitate calibration. Advancement of the probe to its extended, operative position automatically pivots the reference plate away from the advancing probe and, in addition, automatically advances a disposable protective cover from a container for a large number of such covers into a position where it automatically stretches over the advancing probe to provide hygienic protection.