Abstract: An upper portion of a case body (1) of a radiant-temperature clinical thermometer is integrally formed to include a supporting frame (11) to which a supporting cylinder (2) is secured horizontally. The tip of the supporting cylinder (2) projects outwardly and a radiant-temperature sensor (3) for sensing heat rays from the external ear is secured to the end face of the tip. A cylindrical probe (4) is supported on the supporting cylinder (2) so as to be free to slide, and the cylindrical probe (4) is biased by a coil spring (42) in a direction that thrusts the probe outwardly. A flange (41) on the base end of the cylindrical probe (4) abuts against a stopper (12) of the supporting frame (11), whereby the extended position of the cylindrical probe (4) is determined. A cover ( 9 ) is attached to the tip portion of the cylindrical probe (4).

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.

Abstract: Tympanic temperature measurements are obtained from the output of a thermopile mounted in an extension from a housing. The housing has a temperature display thereon and supports the electronics for responding to sensed radiation. A disposable plastic sheet taken from a tape of such sheets stretches over the end of the extension between side posts. The thermopile is mounted in a highly conductive thermal mass which includes a waveguide tube. A low conductivity gaseous environment surrounding the thermopile extends through the tube. The electronics include an EEPROM in which both calibration and characterization information may be stored during a calibration procedure through an optical coupling. A capacitor and transistor associated with a switch form a simple watchdog circuit.

Abstract: A temperature probe cover for adhesively mounting a medical temperature probe on a body comprising a moisture barrier sheet having an aperture means adapted to allow at least a portion of the head of a temperature sensing probe to be inserted therethrough, a layer of skin compatible hydrogel adhesive on the side of the moisture barrier sheet to be oriented toward the body, a water absorbent sheet having a layer of water inactivatable pressure sensitive adhesive on the side oriented toward the moisture barrier sheet, a release sheet overlying at least a portion of said moisture barrier sheet and having a release agent facing said water inactivatable pressure sensitive adhesive to facilitate moving the water absorbent sheet away from the moisture barrier sheet when mounting a temperature probe between the water absorbent sheet and the second side of the moisture barrier sheet.

Abstract: A measuring instrument for receiving radiation through an opening in a housing and having a protective shield member across the opening. The protective shield member is sealed against the housing to project a flexible contact portion at above ambient pressure for contacting and conforming to the surface of an object. A flexible dome on the protective shield member can pump air into the protective shield member to provide the desired internal pressure. The protective shield member is relatively thin and reaches thermal equilibrium with the object in a relatively short period of time, when the measuring instrument is a radiation thermometer.

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 materil is mated to the forward end of the 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.

Abstract: An electronic clinical thermometer with a liquid crystal display housed in a soft flexible casing with a frame. The casing has an opening for viewing the liquid crystal display. An upper cover covers this opening, a lower cover covers an opening in the lower side of the casing, and ribs oriented parallel to axes of the respective openings establish a water-tight seal and secure the upper and lower covers to the casing.

Abstract: A probe cover for an infrared thermometer has a pleated sheath which fits over the thermometer probe and a base, which is engageable with the probe, is attached to the periphery of the sheath to hold the sheath over the probe. The sheath is made of a thin infrared transparent film and is formed with a window which causes minimal attenuation of infrared emission received by the thermometer.

Abstract: A noncontact infrared tympanic thermometer which does not require environmental stabilization or waveguide temperature control because it utilizes an optically stabilized infrared detector for detecting the infrared energy emitted by the tympanic membrane. The optical stabilization renders the instrument insensitive to ambient temperature effects and allows it to read true tympanic membrane temperatures unaffected by the temperature of the side walls of the detector package. This selectivity is accomplished by locating a neutral density filter over half of the optical aperture of the detector package such that the neutral density filter "shadows" only one of two thermopile channels for detecting the infrared energy emitted by the tympanic membrane. The two thermopile channels are connected in series opposition such that any optical signal equally present in both channels will yield a zero net output.

Abstract: A unitary probe cover for an infrared radiation thermometer has a frustum-shaped sheath which fits over the thermometer probe. A base, which is engageable with the probe, is formed integrally with and around the periphery of the proximal end of the sheath to hold the sheath over the probe. The sheath is made of an infrared transparent material and is formed to have a thinner distal end portion terminating in a thin window which passes infrared radiation through the probe into the thermometer.

Abstract: An elongate hollow tubular assembly mounts a temperature sensing element in a reservoir to determine the temperature of a liquid in the reservoir. The tubular assembly includes an inner tubular member constructed of a thin, light-weight, electrically insulating and thermally conducting material, an intermediate tubular member constructed of a thin, heat-sealable, dielectric material, having an end thereof which extends into the reservoir heat-sealed; and an outer tubular member constructed of a moldable, water-impervious, heat-resistant and durable material. A sealing arrangement is provided for sealing an end of the outer tubular member which extends into the reservoir.

Abstract: A disposable cone channel insertion probe is adapted for use in combination with an infrared thermometer. The probe has a generally frusto-conical hollow body portion, an inner reflective surface, and a flange projecting radially outward from the rearward end of the probe. The infrared thermometer also includes a mechanism for retaining the probe and optics for further focusing and collimating the infrared light from the probe to an infrared sensor.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device including a housing for attachment to a wall of a building in an inconspicuous and decoratively functional housing. The housing can come in a variety of shapes and may be designed to complement the interior decor of a room. The housing itself includes a head portion which protects the delicate sensor head from contact with a foreign object which could damage the sensor. Insulation is provided around the sensor cap to prevent the sensor from being influenced by the wall temperature. A seal is provided at the back of the sensor housing to prevent interior wall air from entering the sensor housing and providing a false reading of the ambient room air temperature.

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.

Abstract: A temperature measuring sensor arrangement is described, which can be inserted into or removed from an enamelled built in part in a simple manner without a need for specific tools. A measuring insert with a carrier is provided, along the length of which an outwardly protruding detent element in the form of a collar is provided, and from the lower end surface of which carrier one or several measuring sensors are protruding. The carrier is slidably arranged in a longitudinal direction in a guiding tube and is biased downwardly by a spring engaging between the detent element and a shoulder in the guiding tube. A stop protruding from the inner wall of the guiding tube limits the displacement of the biased carrier.

Abstract: A fire detector for detecting a fire occurrence, including a temperature sensor comprising a thermistor or, a platinum wire, a protective cover enclosing the temperature sensor and protecting the temperature sensor from external impacts, and a protector projecting from the front face of the sensor body and surrounding the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A probe cover assembly for use in covering and protecting the elongated probe of a medical thermometer. The assembly has three laminated layers, including a flat base layer with an aperture sized to slide over the probe, an intermediate stretchable film, and a protective paper layer having radially-aligned perforations aligned with the base layer aperture. In use, the probe cover assembly is placed on the probe by inserting the probe through the base layer aperture, from the assembly's paper layer side, to stretch the plastic film over the probe, with the perforated paper functioning initially to separate the probe from the film and thereby prevent the film from initially sticking to the probe and stretching unevenly. The probe cover assembly is removed from the probe and discarded by sliding the apertured base layer along the probe, with the perforated paper functioning to scrape the stretched film from the probe.

Abstract: A self-contained refrigerator-oven for refrigerating and cooking food in the same enclosed chamber, has both heating elements and cooling elements located in the same appliance. The heating elements may be conventional heating elements and/or a convection unit and a microwave unit. Additonally, the apparatus has cooling controls, heating controls, and temperature controls which are activated by a microprocessor, programmable for up to two weeks in advance, so that the cooling elements and the heating elements are subsequently activated to treat the food at particular temperatures for particular specific periods of time. The sequence of heating and cooling may be performed in any desired order. The apparatus includes a battery backup to maintain the time, microprocessor and logic circuits during a power outage and utilizes a frozen food, probe-receiving sheath to facilitate cooking from a frozen state.

Abstract: Apparatus for effectively ejecting a protective cover from the elongated probe of a medical thermometer, even in cases where the cover can stick to the probe surface. The probe cover, which includes a generally cup-shaped body and a resilient ring at the body's open end, is secured in place on the probe by an outwardly-projecting flange at the probe's base end, which retains the probe cover's circular ring. An ejector sleeve reciprocates between a retracted position, in which it is retracted from the elongated probe, and an extended position, in which it fully encircles the probe. A coil spring continuously biases the ejector sleeve to its extended position, but with a force nominally insufficient to free the probe cover's resilient ring from the probe's retaining flange.

Abstract: A packaged sheath for a probe such as a medical thermometer or the like comprises a backing web, and a flattened probe sheath having an open end and a closed end. The sheath defines a pair of connected, flat sides, with a portion of one flat side of the sheath being sealed adjacent its open end to the backing web. A tab member is sealed in an area to the other flat side of the sheath adjacent its open end. An upper web is peripherally sealed to the backing web at side areas. A preferred design of packaged sheath in accordance with this invention can be opened in a variety of different ways, to conform to varying, customary procedures to which the user has been previously trained.

Abstract: A hand held probe unit has an infrared sensitive thermopile mounted in a metal housing kept at a constant reference temperature by a regulator circuit. A waveguide tube, surrounded by a thermally insulative probe, directs infrared emissions to the thermopile. The thermopile and regulator circuit of the probe unit are electrically connected to processing circuitry in a chopper unit. Prior to taking a patient's temperature, the probe unit is mated with the chopper unit so that the thermopile detects infrared emissions from a reference target which is also kept at a constant reference temperature by another regulator circuit. The processing circuitry repeatedly acquires the output level of the thermopile and stores calibration data. The probe unit is then removed from the chopper unit, the probe is covered with an IR transparent, disposable speculum, and is inserted in the patient's external ear canal.

Abstract: Infrared radiation emitted from tissue surface of body cavity is measured by an infrared sensor located within a probe which generates a signal voltage dependent on the difference in temperature between the tissue and the infrared sensor. An additional ambient sensor measures the ambient temperature of the infrared sensor. The signals of the two sensors are added. To calibrate and eliminate errors, the housing of the device is provided with a chamber shaped to receive the probe and containing a target viewed by the infrared sensor. An error signal is thus generated which is added to the signals of the two sensors when they view the body tissue. A disposable, sanitary cover for the probe is made of a truncated polyethylene member of substantially uniform thickness closed by an end window. A filter in the probe suppresses absorption bands of polyethylene to eliminate errors due to minor variations in cover thickness.

Abstract: A digital temperature indicating system which enables a relatively inexpensive thermistor sensor to be used to obtain highly accurate temperature measurements over a number of relatively narrow temperature ranges, and to obtain acceptable temperature accuracy over an extended temperature range. The thermistor controls a bridge. The bridge produces an analog signal when the thermistor causes the bridge to become unbalanced from a null point as the thermistor senses different temperatures. The analog signal from the bridge is converted into digital signals which address memory locations in a programmable read-only memory (PROM) for both scaling and linearizing purposes. The resulting output signals from the PROM are used to control a display unit which displays the temperature readings.

Abstract: A thermometer sheath in a multiple pack comprising a continuous support foil (1) of paper on which a lower and an upper plastic foil (2 and 3) are placed, whereby the plastic foils (2, 3) are welded together and the lower plastic foil (2) is releasably attached to the support foil (1) by means of a heat sealing line (4), which delimits a number of case-shaped thermometer sheaths closed at one end, which are detachable from each other and from the support foil (1), and whereby the lower plastic foil (2) is longer than the upper plastic foil (3) thus that a flap is formed at the case orifice. A stiffening strip (5) of plastic material is positioned between the upper and the lower plastic foil (2 and 3) transversally to the longitudinal direction of the case and attached to said plastic foils (2, 3) by two opposite parts (4',4") of the heat-sealing line (4), whereby the stiffening strip (5) extends beyond the end of the upper plastic foil (3).

Abstract: A sanitary protective cover or sheath for the ear canal probe of a tympanic thermometer has a generally tubular body portion and an infrared transparent membrane attached to and sealing the forward end of the tubular body portion. While the tubular body portion is being injection molded of a plastic material, a film of a similar plastic material is mated to the forward end of the tubular body portion. A portion of the film defining the membrane is thus severed from the film and thermally bonded to the tubular body portion.

Abstract: Fever thermometer protector consisting of an expansible Plastic Film to which a dimensionally stable backing means has been attached. The invention also comprises processes for manufacturing fever thermometer protectors.

Abstract: In a thermometer sheath package, for electronic clinical thermometers, two strips of thermoplastic material are sandwiched between two coated paper cover strips all joined together along a seal line in the shape of a sheath for the probe of the thermometer. The inner two strips are joined together along the seal line by a tear seal to define the sheath for the thermometer probe. The cover strips are joined to the inner strips along the seal line by peelable seals. Perforated lines are defined across the width of the cover strips near the mouth of the sheath to define tabs in the cover strips at the mouth of the sheath. The tabs of the cover strips are sealed to the inner strips in broad flat seals across the width of the cover strips. The seal line defining the sheath and along which all four strips are sealed together extends past the perforated lines and into the area of the broad flat seals.

Abstract: A hand held probe unit has an infrared sensitive thermopile mounted in a metal housing kept at a constant reference temperature by a regulator circuit. A waveguide tube, surrounded by a thermally insulative probe, directs infrared emissions to the thermopile. The thermopile and regulator circuit of the probe unit are electrically connected to processing circuitry in a chopper unit. Prior to taking a patient's temperature, the probe unit is mated with the chopper unit so that the thermopile detects infrared emissions from a reference target which is also kept at a constant reference temperature by another regulator circuit. The processing circuitry repeatedly acquires the output level of the thermopile and stores calibration data. The probe unit is then removed from the chopper unit, the probe is covered with an IR transparent, disposable speculum, and is inserted in the patient's external ear canal.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer probe and cover assembly includes a probe extending from a handle and having limited axial movement into the handle against a resilient force. An elongated cover having open and closed ends fits over the probe. Cooperating elements on the open end of the cover and the handle snap together when the probe is moved into the handle by the cover to retain the cover in position with intimate contact between the probe end and cover. Actuation of a thumb button on the handle increases the force urging the probe out of the handle to unsnap the cover from the probe handle.

Abstract: A probe cover holding and dispensing arrangement for an electronic thermometer includes a chamber in the thermometer housing to receive a carton containing the probe covers. A tear-away flap on the carton exposes some of the covers. An aperture in the chamber, closable by a sliding cover, provides access to the exposed covers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rating a thermometer probe, wherein the thermometer probe includes a small thermistor sensing element and a pair of conductors connected with the thermistor contacts and being supported upon a substrate. With the thermistor held at a particular temperature, the electrical resistance of the thermometer probe is measured and the difference between the resistance of that probe and a standard resistance is fed to a computer which operates a laser to encode a machine-readable character on the probe representative of the difference between the measured resistance of the probe and the standard resistance. In use, the probe is inserted in a readout and the readout senses the actual resistance of the thermometer probe which is dependent upon the temperature of the thermistor.

Abstract: The device is primarily adapted for use in hospitals and comprises a housing having a front window through which a digital display of sensed temperature is observed. The housing may receive one of preferably two probe holsters one of which has associated therewith a probe for oral use and the other of which has a probe for rectal use. Each probe holster is elongated in shape and has a passage for receiving a probe with the probe being fixedly wired into the holster so that the probe cannot be swapped between holsters. A holder is mounted on the top of the device and receives a cartridge of probe covers which are locked into the holder but are easily removed upon insertion of the probe into an individual cover. The holsters and associated probes are constructed to be autoclavable and gas sterilizable. The device is normally stored on a platform through which the batteries in the device are recharged between use of the device. The probe is of improved design and employs a thermistor sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature in a subsurface earth formation that is being heated in situ by subjection to a radio frequency electromagnetic field. It includes lowering a maximum registering thermometer into the formation on a non-conductive flexible line, and holding it there long enough to reach the ambient temperature at that location. Then, the thermometer is raised to the surface fast enough to avoid any significant change on the way up to read that registered maximum.

Abstract: An antiseptic guard for a clinical thermometer is formed by a sheath constituted by two synthetic resin films welded together along two lateral edges and a top edge connecting the lateral edges. A welded joint is formed at an end of the sheath spaced from the top edge to hold the tip of the thermometer in position while a bendable flap is formed between the joint and the top edge. When the sheathed thermometer is inserted in the anus, the flap is folded back and exposes smooth surfaces of the films, avoiding direct contact with weld edges and thus preventing formation of sores.

Abstract: A temperature sensing probe is provided including a probe shaft rigidly mounted on a handle and having a temperature sensing tip at the distal end of the shaft. A disposable cover is provided in the form of a unitary elongated tube constructed of heat conductive material and having an open proximal end arranged to slide over the probe shaft and a closed distal end arranged to tightly engage the temperature sensing tip of the shaft in order to retain the cover on the shaft and provide a positive conduction of heat to the temperature sensing tip. For the purpose of selectively ejecting the cover after temperature measurement, the probe handle includes a movable ejection button for manually driving the cover forwardly with sufficient force to disengage the cover from the tight engagement with the temperature sensing tip.

Abstract: Several improvements are disclosed for the design of a protective cover for the probe component of an electronic thermometer. In one embodiment, the probe cover is formed of a thin layer of synthetic resin material having a conductive material dispersed therein to render the cover electrically conductive. A verification circuit in the electronic thermometer utilizes the conductivity of the cover to ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe. In one embodiment, the resistance of the probe cover is measured along its length, and the verification circuit includes an enabling circuit to allow the thermometer to operate only if the measured resistance is between predetermined upper and lower ohmic limits. In another embodiment of the present invention, the probe cover retainer element is split into two conductive portions, and the resistance of the probe cover bridging those two portions is measured to ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe.

Abstract: A probe cover assembly for use in covering and protecting the elongated probe of a medical thermometer. The assembly has three laminated layers, including a flat base layer with an aperture sized to slide over the probe, an intermediate stretchable film, and a protective paper layer having radially-aligned perforations aligned with the base layer aperture. In use, the probe cover assembly is placed on the probe by inserting the probe through the base layer aperture, from the assembly's paper layer side, to stretch the plastic film over the probe, with the perforated paper functioning initially to separate the probe from the film and thereby prevent the film from initially sticking to the probe and stretching unevenly. The probe cover assembly is removed from the probe and discarded by sliding the apertured base layer along the probe, with the perforated paper functioning to scrape the stretched film from the probe.