JP2009080000A - Clinical thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stick-on type continuous clinical thermometer which monitors and reports as to whether or not a body temperature is in a sufficient heat-insulation state and kept against ambient temperature changes, can display a deep body temperature, can be used easily and does not cause any obstruction in its attached state. <P>SOLUTION: In a measuring probe, a first temperature detecting means and a second temperature detecting means are disposed respectively on a center part and an end on the body surface side of a disk-shaped main body having a fixed heat capacity and a heat conductivity and being made of a material which is deformable and attached firmly to the body surface of a living body, and the perimeter of the main body is made thin, thereby varying heat conduction from the main body and measuring the body temperature. The determination is made whether or not the body temperature is in the sufficient heat-insulation state against the ambient temperature changes, based on a temperature difference between both parts, and a body surface temperature is displayed as an estimation value of a deep body temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermometer that measures body temperature, and more particularly, to a biological information monitoring apparatus that includes body temperature measurement.

  The most common scene of measuring body temperature at home is measuring body temperature when fever is caused by a cold or flu. You will often see a doctor and then go into a futon and rest. Body temperature measurement is an effective means for judging the progress and recovery of a disease state, but it can be easily and unconsciously measured even when you are resting in a futon. If possible, it can be a new type of device that can quickly detect a sudden rise in body temperature, know that the body temperature is decreasing toward recovery, and rest assured, and support resting.

  Conventional mercury thermometers and electronic thermometers require several minutes for a single measurement, and since it is necessary to keep the thermometer in the armpit or oral cavity, it is not suitable for unconscious and continuous monitoring of body temperature. It is obvious.

  For this purpose, a device is desired in which a small body thermometer is attached to the body surface and the body temperature can be continuously monitored wirelessly on a display device or a wristwatch type display device installed on the bedside.

  The problem with measuring the body temperature with a thermometer attached to the body surface is that the attached thermometer feels uncomfortable, and the body surface temperature is easily affected by the temperature of the external environment, resulting in a body temperature different from the deep body temperature. This is the point. As for means for estimating the deep body temperature from the body surface temperature, several methods have already been filed as patent applications.

  Patent document 1 covers the heat insulating material installed on the body surface with a heat conductor, and adjusts so that the temperature difference between the body surface side of the heat insulating material and the heat conductor side is eliminated by using a heater installed on the upper part of the body temperature. Is estimated. If there is no temperature difference, heat dissipation from the body surface is eliminated, and the body surface temperature matches the deep body temperature.

  In Patent Document 2, a heat insulating material is disposed on the body surface, and the relationship between the heat flow dissipated from the heat insulating material surface and the body surface temperature is obtained by approximating the relationship with a one-dimensional heat conduction equation in a thermal equilibrium state. Although unnecessary, it is necessary to use an estimated value for the thermal conductivity of the living body in the vicinity of the body surface and the distance to the deep part, and there is a problem in measurement accuracy.

  Patent Document 3 has the same configuration as Patent Document 2, but by approximating using a one-dimensional heat conduction equation including a time term, cancels the terms of the thermal conductivity of the living body and the distance to the deep part, and deep body temperature. Can be estimated.

Patent Document 4 prepares two thermometers having the same configuration as Patent Document 2, changes the thermal conditions such as the thickness of the heat insulating material, and measures the body temperature at two locations on the body surface. The terms of thermal conductivity and distance to the deep part are canceled.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 55-29794 (4 pages, FIG. 2) JP 61-120026 (page 5, FIG. 1) Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2001-522466 (page 25, FIG. 2) JP 2006-308538 A (page 49, FIG. 2)

  The deep body temperature measurement methods shown in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 4 are all invented for the purpose of accurately obtaining the deep body temperature temperature from the body surface temperature. In the method of Patent Document 1, in order to supply heater power, it is necessary to connect a sensor unit affixed to the body to an external device by wire, which disturbs rest. In the methods of Patent Literature 2 to Patent Literature 4, in order to accurately estimate the deep body temperature, the accurate estimation of the deep body temperature is required if the heat dissipation from the surface of the heat insulating material installed on the body surface is not more than a certain amount. I can't. However, the fact that there is heat dissipation means that the body temperature is escaping to the outside, and the body surface is cold. This is contrary to being kept warm in a futon to treat a cold.

  The function required for the paste-type unconscious continuous body temperature monitoring device is not to accurately estimate the deep body temperature, but whether the body temperature is sufficiently insulated against the external environment temperature, that is, the correct resting state. It is easy to use, has a function that can monitor the change in deep body temperature when there is sufficient insulation, and it does not disturb the wearing and there is no sense of incongruity Making a device is a challenge. Unlike the conventional thermometer, the thermometer of the present invention is a new type of device that supports correct rest, sleep, and rest.

  The thermometer of the present invention includes a main body that can be deformed in close contact with the surface of a living body, a first temperature detecting means that is disposed on a contact surface of the main body with the living body, and a main body at a site different from the first temperature detecting means. A second temperature detecting means arranged on the contact surface with the living body, a control means for measuring the temperature at a predetermined time interval using the first temperature detecting means and the second temperature detecting means, and the measurement It has a calculation means which calculates body temperature from time change of temperature, and a display means which displays body temperature, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, the thermometer of the present invention provides a body surface to which the main body is in close contact because the difference between the temperature measured by the first temperature detecting means and the temperature measured by the second temperature detecting means has reached a predetermined temperature or less. It is preferable to determine that the temperature of is in a thermal equilibrium state.

  Moreover, it is preferable to use the main body in close contact with the body surface using an adhesive material.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the display device including the display unit is installed at a location away from the measurement probe including the first temperature detection unit and the second temperature detection unit.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the display device and the measurement probe transmit data by wireless communication.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the measurement probe has a unique identification number and transmits the identification number by wireless communication.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the measurement probe has a chargeable power storage means and can be reused by charging.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the power storage means includes a power reception coil and a power reception means, the display device includes a power transmission means and a power transmission coil, and the power storage means is charged from the display device by electromagnetic induction.

  According to the present invention, the display device intermittently generates an electromagnetic field using the power transmission means and the power transmission coil at a predetermined timing, and the measurement probe detects the electromagnetic field using the reception coil and the power reception means. Thus, it is preferable to determine that the display device and the measurement probe are located within a predetermined distance.

  In the present invention, it is preferable to operate the measurement probe in a low power consumption state when the measurement probe and the display device are located within a predetermined distance.

  In the present invention, when the measurement probe and the display device are located within a predetermined distance, it is preferable to charge the power storage means according to the charge state of the power storage means.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the state of charge of the power storage means is transmitted to the display device using the transmission means, the transmission antenna, the reception antenna, and the reception means, and displayed on the display means.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the display means detects the temperature and humidity of the place where the display means is installed, and displays it on the display means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the display means includes a measured body temperature, information on whether or not the body surface is in a thermal equilibrium state, a predetermined message corresponding to the measured body temperature change, and a predetermined distance between the measurement probe and the display device. It is preferable to display one or more selected from the information regarding whether the power storage unit is located and the information regarding the state of charge of the power storage means.

    According to the present invention, it is possible to easily monitor whether the body temperature during sleep or rest in a resting state is sufficiently insulated from the external environment temperature and the body temperature is kept warm.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to continuously monitor changes in deep body temperature when the body is in a sufficiently insulated state. In addition, complicated calculations such as conventional deep body temperature estimation are not required, and a low-cost device can be made.

  Also, regarding usage, continuous monitoring of body temperature is possible by simply removing the thermometer of the present invention from the storage location of the display device and attaching it to a part of the body, and maintenance such as turning on / off the power switch, setting the operation mode, and replacing the battery An easy-to-use thermometer that does not need to be used.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the body temperature during sleep and rest can be monitored at a place where the nurse is away, so that safe nursing can be performed. For example, it is possible to detect and inform the nurse that the futon has shifted during sleep and the body temperature has decreased. In addition, when the body temperature suddenly rises, it is possible to notify an emergency situation to a nurse at a remote location.

  Moreover, the temperature information for every part can be easily obtained by mounting a plurality of thermometers of the present invention.

The thermometer of the present invention includes a measuring unit that is attached to the body surface and measures the body temperature, and a display unit that displays the body surface or the deep part temperature obtained from the measured body temperature data, an alarm, and the like. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the thermometer of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a measuring section of a thermometer according to the present invention. The main body 2 of the measurement probe 1 has a certain heat capacity and thermal conductivity, and is made of a material that is in close contact with the body surface 4 of the living body 5 and can be deformed. The main body 2 has a disk shape or a rectangular shape, and a first temperature detection means 3 and a second temperature detection means 4 are arranged at the center and the end on the body surface side of the main body 2, respectively. It is possible to measure how the temperature of the body changes with the body temperature of the living body through the body surface.

  For the material of the main body 2, a material that adheres along the body surface, such as a silicone gel sheet, easily deforms with respect to the movement of the body and does not feel uncomfortable is suitable.

  The central part of the main body is thick and the peripheral part is thin, so that the temperature changes when heat from the living body is transmitted are different. By changing the thermal conductivity or heat capacity of the material constituting the main body between the central part and the peripheral part, the temperature change when the heat from the living body is transmitted may be different. For example, a method may be considered in which powders having different thermal properties are contained in the material constituting the main body, and the content ratio is changed between the central portion and the peripheral portion. Even when a main body having a constant thickness is used, since the heat capacity of the central portion is larger than that of the peripheral portion, the thickness of the main body can be made constant.

  The first temperature detecting means 3 and the second temperature detecting means 4 include a thermistor and a platinum temperature detector which are temperature dependent resistors, a temperature sensor circuit configured on a semiconductor chip, such as a diffused resistor and a poly The temperature dependency of the silicon thin film, the temperature dependency of the forward voltage of the PN junction, the temperature dependency of the oscillation frequency in an oscillation circuit such as a ring oscillator or a multivibrator can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit block of the thermometer according to the first embodiment. The temperature measured by the first temperature detection means 3 and the second temperature detection means 4 is calculated by the calculation means 10 to grasp the state of change of the body surface temperature, to calculate the body surface temperature and to determine various alarms. The control means 11 is a circuit that performs control for measuring temperature at predetermined time intervals, performing calculation, and displaying the result on the display means 12. A measurement time interval of about once every few seconds to several minutes is suitable, but is not limited thereto. By shortening the measurement time interval when the change in body temperature is abrupt and increasing it when it is stable, the power consumption can be reduced without sacrificing the accuracy of the body temperature information.

  FIG. 3 shows a thermal circuit for explaining a temperature change in a state where the thermometer of the first embodiment is attached to a living body. In the thermal circuit, the reciprocal of the thermal conductivity is represented by a resistance, the heat capacity is represented by a capacity, and the heat source is represented by a voltage source. The thermal circuit should originally be expressed as a distributed constant circuit, but here it is approximately expressed as a lumped constant circuit. The deep body temperature of the living body is the heat source Tb, the thermal resistance from the deep body to the body surface is Rb, the temperature detected by the first temperature detecting means 4 is Tc, and the temperature detected by the second temperature detecting means 4 is Ts. To do. The thermal resistance in the thickness direction of the central part of the main body 2 is Rc, and the thermal resistance of the peripheral part is Rs. The heat capacity in the vicinity of the center of the main body 2 and the heat capacity in the peripheral portion are different because the thickness of the main body is different. The heat capacity of the main body near the first temperature measuring means 3 is Cc, and the heat capacity of the main body near the second temperature measuring means 4 is Cs. It is assumed that a thermal resistance corresponding to the heat conduction in the lateral direction of the main body 2 is connected between the heat capacities Cc and Cs by Ra. The environmental temperature is represented by a heat source Te, and the thermal resistance between the external environment and the main body is Re.

  Here, the external environment temperature Te is the room temperature, and the thermal resistance Re is the thermal resistance of the futon and the air layer between the futon and the main body 2 in a state of entering the futon. The temperatures Tc and Ts when the thermal equilibrium state is reached can be expressed as follows.

Tc = Te + (Tb−Te) × (Rc + Re) / (Rb + Rc + Re)
... Formula (1)
Ts = Te + (Tb−Te) × (Rs + Re) / (Rb + Rs + Re)
... Formula (2)
In the state of entering the futon, the thermal resistance Re is considered to be sufficiently larger than the thermal resistances Rc and Rs of the main body 2, so that it can be simplified as shown in FIG. 4, and the temperatures Tc and Ts can be expressed as follows: .

Tc = Te + (Tb−Te) × Re / (Rb + Re) Formula (3)
Ts = Te + (Tb−Te) × Re / (Rb + Re) Formula (4)
That is, if sufficient thermal equilibrium is reached, the temperatures Tc and Ts will eventually become the same.
This temperature is defined as an equilibrium temperature Tsat.

  Changes in the temperatures Tc and Ts when the measurement probe 1 having the same temperature as the external environment temperature Te is attached to the body surface change from Te to Tsat with time constants DTc and DTs composed of the respective thermal resistances and heat capacities.

Tc = Te + (Tsat−Te) × e ^−DTc Formula (5)
Ts = Te + (Tsat−Te) × e ^−DTs Formula (6)
Here, e represents the base of the natural logarithm.

  Since the time constant can be expressed as the product of the heat capacity and the combined resistance of the heat resistance connected to the heat capacity, it is as follows.

DTc = Cc / (1 / Rb + 1 / Re) Formula (7)
DTs = Cs / (1 / Rb + 1 / Re) Formula (8)
That is, the time constants DTc and DTs are proportional to the heat capacities Cc and Cs, respectively.

  In the above calculation, the thermal resistance Ra in the lateral direction is not taken into consideration, but when Ra is taken into consideration, the time constants DTc and DTs are close to each other.

  In summary, the central temperature Tc and the peripheral temperature Ts first start from the environmental temperature Te and reach the equilibrium temperature Tsat with a time constant proportional to the thickness of the main body 2.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in temperature of the temperature detection means installed in the main body 2. In a state before the main body is attached to the body surface, the main body 2 is at the same Te as the external environment temperature. Here, Te is assumed to be lower than the deep body temperature Tb. When the main body 2 is affixed to the body surface 4 at time t0, the temperature Tc measured by the first temperature detecting means and the peripheral temperature Ts measured by the second temperature detecting means are warmed by the body temperature through the body surface and rise. To do. At time t1, the difference becomes maximum, and thereafter the temperature difference between Tc and Ts decreases and converges to the equilibrium temperature Tsat.

  When the temperature of the main body 2 reaches an equilibrium state, the temperature difference between the central portion and the peripheral portion becomes small. Therefore, the temperature difference is determined by an arithmetic circuit to determine whether the heat insulation state is sufficient. For example, when the temperature difference reaches ± 0.05 ° C. or less, it can be determined as an adiabatic state.

  The body surface temperature after reaching a well-insulated state is judged to be close to the deep body temperature, and the display device means that "the equilibrium state has been reached" and "the body temperature being displayed is close to the deep body temperature" Message to be displayed on the display device. On the other hand, if the temperature difference is large, the warming condition of the futon is bad, and an alarm message meaning "Please put on the futon firmly" can be issued.

In addition, if the futon is reapplied or the futon is displaced from the body, the temperature will drop rapidly, and at the same time the ambient temperature will drop first. It can be determined that an appropriate warning message can be issued.

  After all, the present invention can determine whether or not the body temperature has reached an equilibrium state by placing the two temperature detection means under different thermal conditions. In this embodiment, the main body 2 has a disk shape or a rectangular shape, and two temperature detection means are arranged at the center and the peripheral portion. However, the shape may be an ellipse, a rectangle, or an arbitrary shape. And it is not limited to the end. Further, the number of temperature detection means is not limited to two, and three or more temperature detection means may be placed under conditions with different thermal conditions. In this embodiment, the temperature detection means is provided on the body surface side, but it may be installed on the upper side of the main body 2 (on the opposite side to the body surface side).

Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of a measurement unit of a second embodiment of the thermometer of the present invention. Unlike the first embodiment, the measurement probe 1 is provided with a heat insulating material 7 so as to cover the main body 2. By changing the thickness and thermal conductivity of the heat insulating material, the time constant of the temperature change of the main body 2 with respect to the flow of heat from the outside environment can be selected from several minutes to several hours. Can be set small or arbitrarily.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the shape of the main body 2 has a shape in which the thickness decreases from the central portion to the peripheral portion. This has the effect of reducing a sense of discomfort with respect to deformation when pasted on the body surface. Of course, the change in thickness may be continuously reduced. A foamed resin such as urethane or polystyrene is suitable as the heat insulating material, but natural materials such as cotton and wool can also be used.

  In this embodiment, the main body 2 is less susceptible to changes in the external environment temperature, and the body surface temperature at the time when the main body 2 reaches the thermal equilibrium state can be brought close to the deep body temperature.

Third Embodiment FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a circuit block of a third embodiment of the thermometer of the present invention. In this configuration, the temperature display unit 12 can be separated and installed at an arbitrary place by wirelessly exchanging data between the calculation unit 10 and the temperature display unit 12. The measurement probe 1 side modulates the carrier wave using the transmission means 13 with the data obtained on the calculation means side, and transmits it as a radio wave from the antenna 14. On the display device 40 side, the radio wave received by the antenna 15 is demodulated into data by the receiving means 16 and displayed on the display means 12. The circuit on the measurement probe 1 side is controlled by the control circuit 11T, and the circuit on the display device 40 side is controlled by the control means 16R. It is desirable to use weak radio waves that are less affected by electromagnetic waves on the living body. As the frequency, a UHF band advantageous for miniaturization of the antenna, for example, a 300 to 900 MHz band is suitable. As the carrier wave modulation system, an ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) or FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) circuit is easy and suitable. The computing means 10 is mounted on the measurement probe side, but some or all of the functions may be separated and mounted on the display means side. However, it is possible to determine whether the body surface temperature has reached an equilibrium state, and change the temperature measurement timing according to the result, or shorten the temperature measurement timing when a sudden temperature change occurs. For this purpose, it is desirable to mount a part or all of the calculation means on the measurement probe side.

  The environmental temperature detection means 50 and the environmental humidity detection means 51 measure the temperature and humidity of the place where the display device is installed, and display it on the display means 12. By displaying the environmental temperature and environmental humidity in graphs simultaneously with the body temperature, the effect on body temperature changes can be read.

In order to enable simultaneous use of a plurality of measurement probes 1 at the same frequency, a unique identification number is given and transmitted together with measurement data. On the display device side, the source measurement probe can be identified by the identification number. By making the data transmission timing random, it is possible to prevent interference from a plurality of measurement probes. Of course, the frequency used for each measurement probe may be changed. In that case, it is necessary for the display device 40 to run at the frequency used every certain time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of the measurement probe 1. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state before bending and bonding at the position B-B ′ in the manufacturing process of the measurement probe 1. The main body 2 and the heat insulating material 7 are indicated by broken lines. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the A-A ′ portion after being bent and bonded at the position B-B ′. The structure is based on the second embodiment, and corresponds to the wireless implementation described in the third embodiment. The main body 2 was a silicone gel sheet having a diameter of 20 mm and a center thickness of 3 mm. The circuit board 20 is a flexible board having a thickness of 0.1 mm on which electronic components are mounted, and is bonded to the back surface (body surface) side from the upper surface of the main body 2 along the inclined portion at the position BB ′. . On the circuit board 20, the first temperature detection means 3, the second temperature detection means 4, and an IC 21, a secondary battery 22, and a crystal resonator 23, in which other necessary circuits are integrated into one chip, are mounted. The temperature detection means 3 and the temperature detection means 4 are connected to the IC 21 by printed wirings 26 and 27. The heat insulating material 7 was made of urethane foam having a thickness of 5 mm, and was bonded so as to cover the circuit board 20 and the main body 2. In order to affix the measurement probe 1 to the body surface, a self-adhesive gel made of silicone was applied to the body surface side of the main body 2. Since it has self-adhesiveness, the measurement probe can be peeled off and pasted from the body surface any number of times. The electronic component including the temperature detecting means has a structure that does not touch the living body. Since the adhesive surface is a silicone-based material, it is highly safe for living bodies.

  Next, the circuit block of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. A chip thermistor having a resistance value of 10 KΩ and a size of 1.0 × 0.5 × 0.3 mm was used for the central temperature measuring unit 3 and the second temperature detecting unit 4. A chip resistor having the same resistance value as the thermistor is connected in series with the thermistor and wired between the power supply and the ground, and the signal obtained by dividing the power supply voltage by the thermistor and the resistor is converted into a 10-bit digital signal using an AD (Analog to Digital) converter. Converted. The signal converted into the digital signal was converted into temperature with a resolution of 0.001 ° C. by the calculation means 10 using calibration data acquired in advance, and wirelessly transmitted by the transmission means 13 and the transmission antenna 24. A weak radio wave of 315 MHz was used for radio and ASK modulation was performed. The control means 11 used an 8-bit CPU (Central Processing Unit) to control temperature detection timing, calculation means, and transmission means. The temperature measurement interval was performed once every 2.5 seconds.

  In the circuit block of the present embodiment, the difference from the third embodiment is that the secondary battery 22 is mounted as a power storage hand and can be charged in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic induction. As the secondary battery 22, a 2.4V lithium coin battery having a diameter of 9 mm and a thickness of 2.1 mm was used.

  Charging is performed by causing a 13.56 MHz high-frequency current generated by the power transmission means 17 to flow through the power transmission coil 19 to generate an electromagnetic field, and bringing the measurement probe 1 close to the vicinity of the power transmission coil 19, thereby allowing the power reception coil 25. A high frequency current is induced by electromagnetic induction, and the secondary battery 22 is charged after rectification by the power receiving means 18.

  In order to extend the operation time of the measurement probe 1, the power of unnecessary circuits was turned off to reduce the power except during temperature measurement and when data was transmitted wirelessly.

The IC 21 of the thermometer is equipped with circuits of the calculation means 10, the control means 11T, the transmission means 13, and the power reception means 18 of the embodiment shown in FIG. The transmitting antenna 14 and the power receiving coil 25 were formed using a wiring pattern of a flexible substrate. The display device 40 includes a receiving unit 15, a display unit 12, a control unit 16, a power transmission unit 17, and a power transmission coil 19.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the display device 40. The display device includes a receiving antenna 14, a body temperature graph display unit 41, a speaker 45, an operation mode switching switch 46, and a measurement probe storage unit 47 that stores the measurement probe 1 when not in use or during charging. When the measurement probe 1 is stored in the measurement probe storage unit 47, the function of the body temperature measurement is automatically stopped, and the secondary battery 22 is charged. When the measurement probe is taken out from the storage unit 47, body temperature measurement is automatically started, body temperature data is transmitted, and the result is displayed on the body temperature graph display unit 41. A body temperature graph is displayed on the body temperature graph display unit 42, and a body temperature is displayed on the body temperature display unit 43 as numerical data. When the body temperature has not reached thermal equilibrium, the graph is displayed as a dotted line, and after reaching thermal equilibrium, the graph is displayed as a solid line. The message display unit 44 displays information on whether the thermal equilibrium has been reached, a message when a sudden temperature drop occurs, and a message for notifying the danger of heat generation when a sudden temperature rise occurs. At the same time, a voice message is issued from the speaker 45. By switching the switch 46, voice messages other than highly urgent messages can be stopped. In addition, when the measurement probe 1 is detached from the storage unit 47, a message indicating insufficient charging is also issued when the secondary battery 22 is insufficiently charged. The display device 40 can also have a clock function.

  Next, the linkage operation between the measurement probe 1 and the display device 40 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the thermometer of the present embodiment. The flowchart on the left side shows the operation of the measurement probe 1, and the right side shows the operation of the display device. In the operation of the measurement probe and the display device, the loop 51 and the loop 52 loop infinitely.

  First, the operation of the measurement probe 1 when the secondary battery 22 is charged will be described. The measuring probe 1 checks itself whether or not the charging is completed in step ST1. Since it is in a charged state now, the process proceeds to step ST4, and a charge completion signal is sent to the display device 40 via radio to proceed to the next step. In step ST5, it is checked whether or not the beacon signal from the display device 40 has been received. If it has been received within the past certain time (beacon cycle), it is determined that the measurement probe 1 is in the retracted state, and the next step ST6 is performed. The temperature measurement is canceled and one round of the loop 51 is completed. If the beacon is not received in step ST5, it is determined that the measurement probe is attached to the body, the body temperature is measured in step ST6, the data is transmitted to the display device, and one round of the loop 51 is completed. .

  As the beacon signal, a high-frequency signal for charging a secondary battery sent from the power transmission means 17 is used. When the temperature measurement data is transmitted in step ST6 and the charging request in step ST2 is transmitted, information indicating whether or not a beacon has been received before that is also transmitted, so that it is stored in the display device 40. Notify if it is in This process is called a beacon answerback process.

Since the display device 40 has received the charge completion signal in step SR1, the process proceeds to next step SR4. In SR4, a beacon signal is transmitted. The beacon signal is realized by operating the power transmission means 17 at regular time intervals. Next, body temperature data is received in step SR5. If the data can be received, a message being received is displayed in step SR6, body temperature is determined in step SR7, that is, whether or not it is in a thermal equilibrium state, body temperature display and graph display are updated in step SR8, and in step SR9. Determine and display the required message. Thus, the process for one round of the loop 52 of the display device 40 is completed.

  Next, a case where charging of the secondary battery 22 of the measurement probe 1 is not completed will be described. If charging has not been completed, a charging request is transmitted through the wireless communication path in step ST2, and if the power receiving means 18 has received a high frequency for charging in step ST3, the secondary battery 22 is charged. If the measurement probe 1 is not in the retracted state, charging high frequency cannot be received and charging is not performed.

  When the display device receives the charging request signal, the charging message is immediately displayed in step SR2 to operate the power transmission means 17. When charging, based on the answerback information of the beacon, a “charging” message is displayed when stored, and a “please store and charge the probe immediately” message when not storing.

  By the processing described above, the measurement probe 1 can automatically turn on and off the body temperature measurement without a power switch. Moreover, if it operates according to a message, the secondary battery 22 of the measurement probe 1 can always be maintained in a charged state.

  In the present embodiment, the display device is a stationary type that can be moved. However, the display device can also be used as a wristwatch worn by the person being measured.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the thermometer of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit block of the thermometer of this invention. It is a figure which shows the thermal circuit of the thermometer of this invention. It is a figure which shows the thermal circuit of the thermometer of this invention. It is a figure which shows the temperature change of the thermometer of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit block of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the top view and sectional drawing which show the structure of the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit block of the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the general view of the display apparatus of the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measurement probe 2 Main body 3 1st temperature detection means 4 2nd temperature detection means 5 Living body 6 Body surface 7 Heat insulating material 10 Calculation means 11, 11T, 11R Control means 12 Display means 13 Transmission means 14 Transmission antenna 15 Reception antenna 16 Receiving means 17 Power transmitting means 18 Power receiving means 19 Power transmitting coil 20 Circuit board 21 IC
22 Secondary battery 23 Crystal oscillator 25 Power receiving coil 26, 27 Printed wiring 40 Display device 41 Body temperature graph display unit 42 Body temperature graph 43 Body temperature display 44 Message display 45 Speaker 46 Switch 47 Measurement probe storage unit 50 Environmental temperature detection means 51 Environment Humidity detection means

Claims (14)

  A main body that can be deformed in close contact with the surface of a living body, first temperature detection means disposed on a contact surface of the main body with the living body, and the living body of the main body at a site different from the first temperature detection means A second temperature detecting means disposed on the contact surface with the control means, a control means for measuring the temperature at a predetermined time interval using the first temperature detecting means and the second temperature detecting means, and the measurement A thermometer comprising: calculating means for calculating a body temperature from time variation of temperature; and display means for displaying the body temperature.   The calculation means is a body in which the main body is in close contact with each other when a difference between the temperature measured by the first temperature detection means and the temperature measured by the second temperature detection means has reached a predetermined temperature or less. The thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the surface temperature is determined to be in a thermal equilibrium state.   The thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the main body is used in close contact with a body surface using an adhesive material.   4. The display device including the display unit is separated from a measurement probe including the first temperature detection unit and the second temperature detection unit. 5. Thermometer described in 1.   The thermometer according to claim 4, wherein the display device and the measurement probe transmit data by wireless communication.   The thermometer according to claim 5, wherein the measurement probe has a unique identification number and transmits the identification number by wireless communication.   The thermometer according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the measurement probe has a chargeable power storage means and can be reused by charging.   The power storage means includes a power reception coil and a power reception means, the display device includes a power transmission means and a power transmission coil, and the power storage means is charged from the display device by electromagnetic induction. The thermometer according to claim 7.   The display device intermittently generates an electromagnetic field using the power transmission unit and the power transmission coil at a predetermined timing, and the measurement probe detects the electromagnetic field using the reception coil and the power reception unit. Then, it is determined that the display device and the measurement probe are located within a predetermined distance.   The thermometer according to claim 9, wherein when the measurement probe and the display device are located within a predetermined distance, the measurement probe is operated in a low power consumption state.   11. The power storage unit is charged according to a charge state of the power storage unit when the measurement probe and the display device are located within a predetermined distance. Thermometer.   The display means includes a measured body temperature, information on whether or not the body surface is in a thermal equilibrium state, a predetermined message according to a change in the measured body temperature, and the measurement probe and the display device within a predetermined distance. The thermometer according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein one or more selected from information regarding whether the power storage unit is located and information regarding a charging state of the power storage unit are displayed.   13. The charging state of the power storage unit is transmitted to the display device using the transmission unit, the transmission antenna, the reception antenna, and the reception unit, and displayed on the display unit. The thermometer according to any one of the above.   The thermometer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the display unit detects a temperature and humidity of a place where the display unit is installed and displays the temperature and humidity on the display unit.

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