JPH08145804A - Electronic clinical thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an electronic clinical thermometer which can discriminate that a measured result refers to which measuring part and that the measured result precisely displays the state of a person to be measured. CONSTITUTION: An electronic clinical thermometer is provided with a temperature-measuring body part 1 by which temperature information on a measuring part is converted into an electric signal, with a measurement arithmetic part 3 which computes measured data on the basis of the electric signal, with a transmission part 4 by which the measured data computed by the measurement arithmetic part 3 is sent out to the outside, with a power-supply part 5 which supplies electric power to the respective parts and with a storage part 6 by which the measuring part and the measured data on the measuring part are stored so as to correspond. The measured data corresponding to the measuring part is transmitted from the transmission part 4 so as to be related.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic thermometer capable of sending measurement data obtained from a measurement site to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is an electronic thermometer that measures the body temperature of a measurement site (living body) and sends the measurement result to the outside. This type of thermometer is used, for example, in a hospital to measure the body temperature of a patient in a hospital room and transmit the measurement result to a nurse center or the like, where the body temperature of each patient is collectively managed.

[0003]

However, the above conventional thermometer has the following problems. It is known that the body temperature slightly differs depending on the measurement site, and for example, the sublingual temperature is higher by about 0.5 ° C. than the axillary temperature.
Therefore, it is necessary to know where the transmitted body temperature measurement site is. In some cases, the temperature of the temperature sensor of the thermometer may be intentionally raised to high temperature due to friction, etc., and the pseudo-fever state may continue, because the patient may find it difficult to measure the temperature, or sometimes he does not want to leave the hospital. It does not always accurately reflect the patient's temperature status.

Therefore, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and determines which measurement site the measurement result belongs to, and whether the measurement result accurately represents the condition of the subject. The object is to provide an electronic thermometer that can be discriminated.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic thermometer according to claim 1 of the present invention is a thermometer unit for converting temperature information of a measurement site into an electric signal, and an electric signal from the thermometer unit. A measurement calculation unit that calculates measurement data, a transmission unit that sends the measurement data calculated by this measurement calculation unit to the outside, a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit, a measurement site, and measurement data of the measurement site. It is characterized in that it is provided with a storage unit that stores the data in association with each other.

The electronic thermometer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a thermometer unit that converts temperature information of a measurement site into an electric signal, a measurement calculation unit that calculates measurement data from the electric signal, and the measurement calculation unit. It is characterized by comprising a transmitting unit for associating the calculated measurement data with a measurement site corresponding to the measurement data and transmitting the data to the outside, and a power supply unit for supplying electric power to each unit.

Further, in the electronic thermometer according to the seventh aspect, the temperature measuring body section for converting the temperature information of the measurement site into an electric signal, the measurement operation section for calculating the measurement data from the electric signal, and the measurement operation section. It is characterized in that it is provided with a transmitting unit for associating the calculated measurement data with the measurement time information corresponding to the measurement data and transmitting the information to the outside, and a power supply unit for supplying electric power to each unit.

[0008]

In the thermometer according to the first aspect, since the measurement site and the measurement data of the measurement site are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, the measurement data can be obtained by reading the stored contents of the storage unit. It is possible to know which measurement part of the measurement part belongs to. In the thermometer according to the sixth aspect, since the measurement data and the corresponding measurement site are transmitted in association with each other, it is possible to similarly know which measurement site of the patient the measurement data belongs to.

In the thermometer according to the seventh aspect, since the measurement data and the measurement time information are sent in association with each other, is it possible that the sent body temperature is intentionally obtained by friction or the like by analyzing various measurement times? It is possible to determine whether the patient's exact body temperature is known.

[0010]

EXAMPLES The electronic thermometer of the present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a thermometer according to an embodiment. This electronic thermometer includes a temperature measuring unit 1 for converting temperature information of a measurement site into an electric signal, and the temperature measuring unit 1.
A connector 2 connected to the connector, a measurement calculation unit (CPU) 3 for calculating measurement data such as body temperature from an electric signal input via the connector 2, and the measurement data calculated by the measurement calculation unit 3 can be remotely transmitted to the outside. , A power supply unit 5 that supplies electric power to each unit, a storage unit (memory) 6 that stores a measurement site and measurement data of the measurement site in association with each other, and a number and the like for each thermometer. Device ID setting section 7 to be set
A display unit 8 for displaying a measurement site and body temperature, an operation switch 9 including a power switch, a transmission switch, and the like, and a measurement site setting switch (measurement site input means) 10 for inputting a measurement site. The measurement part setting switch 10
Is used when the patient himself / herself sets the measurement site at the time of measurement, or when the hospital side sets it in advance and passes it to the patient, and has a measurement site automatic determination means (described later) for automatically determining the measurement site. Is unnecessary.

The transmitting section 4 wirelessly transmits measurement data such as body temperature and a measurement site to the outside, and examples thereof include infrared rays and RF radios. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmitter using infrared rays modulates a signal from the CPU 3 with a modulator 11, amplifies the signal with a transistor 12, and outputs an infrared ray LED.
Blink 13 In this case, a photodiode or the like having infrared sensitivity may be used on the light receiving side, and high frequency modulation may be performed to avoid ambient light. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmitter using the RF radio modulates the signal from the CPU 3 with the carrier of the AC power supply 14 by the modulator 11, amplifies this by the amplifier 15, and transmits it from the antenna 16. In the case of infrared rays, the structure of the transmission / reception circuit is simple and inexpensive, and since infrared rays do not pass through obstacles such as walls, there is an advantage that interference does not occur. On the other hand, in the case of RF wireless, hundreds to hundreds of MH
Use of the RF radio wave of z is more expensive than that of infrared, but has an advantage that the communication distance can be several tens of meters.

An example of the appearance of the electronic thermometer having such a configuration is shown in FIG. 4 (front view), FIG. 5 (rear view) and FIG. 6 (side view).
Shown in On the front surface side of the main body case 20, a display unit 8, a power switch 21 as an operation switch 9 and a transmission switch 22 are provided. In this embodiment, the temperature measuring unit 1
Is a temperature measuring probe that can be attached to and detached from the body case 20 by the connector 2. A battery cover 20a for accommodating a battery as a power source is provided on the back side of the main body case 20 so as to be opened and closed. Of course, an external power supply may be used instead of the internal power supply.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a temperature measuring probe as the temperature measuring unit 1. Temperature measuring probe 30a shown in FIG.
Is for axillary, for example, and comprises a sensor body 31a having a temperature measuring element 32a at its tip, a detachable connector 2a on the body case 20, and a lead wire 33a connecting the sensor body 31a and the connector 2a. . A temperature measuring probe 30b shown in FIG. 7B is for rectal use, for example, and also has a sensor body 31b having a temperature measuring element 32b at its tip and a connector 2 detachable from the body case 20.
b, and a lead wire 33b connecting the sensor body 31b and the connector 2b. The shape (especially the length of the sensor body) is different between the axilla and the rectum. In addition to this, by changing the pin arrangement of the connector, when the temperature measuring probe is connected to the main body case 20, the temperature measurement is performed. The measurement calculation unit 3 can identify which measurement site the probe is for. Therefore, if a dedicated temperature measuring probe is prepared for each measurement site, it is possible to configure a measurement site automatic determination means for automatically determining the measurement site.

Instead of constructing the measurement site automatic determination means with a dedicated temperature measuring probe, the measurement site may be automatically determined based on the change in temperature rise. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the temperature sensing portion 1 and time, where A is the sublingual measurement and B is the temperature rise curve obtained by the axillary measurement. From this, it can be seen that the temperature under the tongue rises faster than in the axilla. Therefore, by pre-storing the pattern of this temperature rise curve, it is possible to determine which pattern, that is, which measurement site the obtained temperature belongs to.
Can be identified by.

In connection with the automatic determination of the measurement site based on the change in temperature rise, the end of measurement may be determined by the degree of temperature rise. The time required to complete the measurement depends not only on the measurement site, but, for example, in preparation for measurement, whether the armpit was closed, the temperature measuring body was in contact with the maximum temperature position of the axilla surely, or the temperature measuring body was in the middle of measurement. It is related to whether the position is not displaced or whether there is fever and metabolism of heat is active. Here, as shown in the relationship between temperature and time in FIG. 9, the temperature rise per hour is large immediately after the start of measurement, and gradually decreases with time. The measurement ends when the rise is less than Δa. Specifically, for example, the measurement may be ended when the temperature rise for 5 seconds is less than 0.01 ° C.

Further, in order to automatically determine the measurement time information as to whether or not the obtained temperature accurately reflects the body temperature state of the person to be measured, a change pattern of temperature rise may be used.
FIG. 10 shows a change pattern of the temperature rise until the end of the measurement. A and B in the figure are comparatively normal patterns, and as described above, A corresponds to the sublingual and B corresponds to the axilla. On the other hand, C and D are abnormal patterns. In C, the temperature drops in the middle, which is the case, for example, when the temperature sensing element portion is displaced from the measurement site. D is an example in which the measurement is ended while the temperature is lowered, and this is the case, for example, when the temperature measuring body is taken out or the temperature rises due to friction or the like. Therefore, if the change pattern of normal temperature rise is stored in advance,
The measurement calculation unit 3 can determine whether or not the obtained temperature is normal. The change pattern of the temperature rise may store all of the measured temperatures, but may store only the temperature rise amount (temperature rise gradient) at the initial stage of measurement as described in the following operation description.

FIG. 11 shows the contents of the information stored and transmitted in the storage unit 6. In this example, one unit of transmission information is
It consists of 8 data, and a transmission start code 41 and a measuring instrument name code (here, the code assigned to the thermometer) 4
2. The device ID 43 of the number set for each thermometer by the ID setting unit 7 (which serves as a means for identifying the patient's individual name when in use), the measurement result (body temperature) 44, the time 45 required for the measurement, the measurement It is composed of temperature rise measurement time information 46, an error check code 47, and an end code 48. The error check code 47 is added to confirm whether the content received on the receiving side has an error, and there is a sum check, a parity check, or the like. For example, the sum check method of inverting the added value of the transmitted information is used. The device ID 43 is a switch or a short-circuit line, etc.
1/0 may be input to or may be written in the ROM.

Next, the overall operation of the electronic thermometer constructed as described above will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 12 to 16 and the memory map of FIG. However, in the flow chart, description of initialization and the like is omitted, and only the characteristic parts of the present invention are shown. Turn on the power switch prior to temperature measurement
When set to, the initial temperature of the temperature measuring probe (temperature measuring unit) is measured and set as Ta [step (hereinafter abbreviated as ST)]
1]. At the same time as the temperature measurement, the timer TM4 that defines the temperature measurement cycle is started, and every time the timer TM4 measures a preset time, here, for example, 0.5
The temperature is measured every second (ST2), and the measured temperature after the next 0.5 seconds is Tb (ST3). Here, when the temperature measurement probe is attached to a predetermined measurement site, the temperature of the temperature measurement probe rises, and it is determined that Tb-Ta> Da (ST
4) If YES, it means that the measurement is started and the process proceeds to ST6. If NO, the Ta is replaced by Tb in the next ST5 and the process returns to ST2. If the temperature sensing element is not inserted under the tongue or in the axilla, the processing of ST2 to ST5 is repeated. The constant Da for determining the start of measurement is set to the temperature increase obtained at the start of measurement, for example, 0.3 ° C.

When the start of measurement is determined, the timer TM1 for measuring the time until the end of measurement is started in ST6. In ST7, the timer TM2 for determining the end of measurement is started. If it is determined that the temperature has not risen in 8 seconds, for example, the timer TM2 is set to 8 seconds so that the measurement is completed when 8 seconds have elapsed since the timer TM2 started to decrease its time. Become. In ST8, the timer TM3 for measuring the temperature rise gradient is started. The temperature rise gradient is for recognizing the degree of temperature rise immediately after the start of measurement. For example, if it is a value raised in the first 3 seconds,
By setting timer TM3 to 3 seconds, timer TM3
Begins to reduce time.

In ST9, the timer TM4 defining the measurement cycle is waiting for the set time (for example, 0.5 seconds) to be measured in the same manner as described above. After that, temperature measurement is performed,
The temperature is set to Tc (ST10). Then, the time-up of the timer TM3 is checked (ST11), and if it is YES, the temperature Ta at the time of starting the measurement is subtracted from Tc, and this calculated value is taken as the initial rise amount Db for calculating the temperature rise gradient. (ST12), the timer TM3 is stopped (ST13). If NO in ST11, S
T12 and 13 are skipped, and the maximum temperature (peak temperature) Tp obtained during the measurement is compared with Tc in ST14 (Tc ≦ T
p). At the beginning of measurement, Tc> Tp, so ST
Moving to 15, Tp is set to Tc. Next, according to the determination logic of the end of measurement, the timer TM2 is cleared in ST16, the timer TM2 is restarted in ST17, and then S
Returning to T9, the measurement is continued.

If YES in ST14, that is, if the temperature has not risen above the past maximum temperature, the time-up of the timer TM2 is checked (ST18), and if NO, S
Returning to T9, the measurement is continued. If YES, that is, if the temperature has not risen for 8 seconds, the result of subtracting Tc from Tp is Dc (ST19). This Dc is the fall width between the temperature at the end of measurement and the maximum temperature. Then ST
At 20, a timer T that measures the time from the start of measurement to the end
M1 stops.

Then, Db processing (ST21) and D described later
After the c process (ST22) is performed, the process of displaying the end of measurement, buzzer notification, etc. is performed (ST23). The display of the body temperature is Ta until ST5 and Tp after ST6, which is a peak hold display. Next, whether or not the transmission switch is pressed, that is, whether or not there is a transmission instruction of the measurement result is checked (ST24), and if YES, the transmission information as shown in FIG. 11 (measured maximum temperature and measurement site, A later-described transmission process (ST25) for transmitting normality / abnormality of measurement completion, time required for measurement completion, and the like is performed. If the answer is NO in ST24, or if the transmission process in ST25 is completed, the on / off state of the power switch is checked (ST26). If the power is off, the measurement ends, and if the power is on, the processes in ST24 to ST26 are performed. Repeated.

The Db process of ST21 is as shown in FIG. First, Db and a constant (for example, 3.0 ° C.) are compared (ST211). Here, when the temperature rise exceeds 3 ° C. in 3 seconds which is the set time of the timer TM3 (Db> 3.0), it is determined that the measurement is performed by the sublingual, and D
It is written on b'that it is sublingual (ST212), 3 ° C.
When the temperature rises below (Db ≦ 3.0), it is determined that the measurement is performed by the axilla, and the fact that the arm is an axilla is written in Db ′ (ST213).

The Dc processing of ST22 is as shown in FIG. Dc has a positive value and a negative value. If the temperature sensing element is displaced from the measurement site during measurement or the temperature is illegally increased due to frictional heat, etc., the difference between the temperature at the end of measurement and the maximum temperature will be It becomes a large negative value, and when the measurement is completed normally, the difference becomes 0 or a small value. Therefore, the absolute value of Dc and a constant (for example, 0.
2 ° C.) are compared (ST221), and the absolute value of Dc is 0.
When the temperature is lower than 2 ° C., the normal termination is recorded in Dc ′ (ST222), and when the absolute value of Dc is 0.2 ° C. or more, the abnormal termination is recorded in Dc ′ (ST223).

The transmission process in ST25 is as shown in FIG. With reference to the transmission information in FIG. 11, first, a predetermined start code 41 is transmitted (ST250), a predetermined measuring instrument name code (thermometer in this case) 42 is transmitted (ST251), and the ID setting unit 7 ( The device ID 43 is read and transmitted from (see FIG. 1) (ST252, 2
53). Then, the maximum temperature Tp (measurement result 4
4) is read and transmitted (ST254), and timer TM1 (time 45 required for measurement) is read from the memory and transmitted (ST255). Furthermore, from memory, D
b '(measurement site) and Dc' (end pattern, that is, change pattern) are respectively read and transmitted (ST
256, 257). However, instead of Db 'and Dc',
Db (upward inclination) and Dc (downward inclination) may be transmitted as change pattern information. Then, the error check code 47 is transmitted (ST258), and the determined end code 48 is transmitted (ST259).

[0026]

Since the electronic thermometer of the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. In the thermometer according to claim 1, the measurement site and the measurement data of the measurement site are stored in the storage unit in association with each other. Therefore, if the storage content of the storage unit is read, the measurement data will be stored in the measurement subject (patient). You can know if it belongs to the measurement site.

In the thermometer according to the sixth aspect, since the measurement data and the corresponding measurement site are transmitted in association with each other, it is possible to similarly know which measurement site of the patient the measurement data belongs to. In the thermometer according to claim 7, since the measurement data and the measurement time information are sent in association with each other, it is determined by various analysis of the measurement time whether the sent body temperature is intentionally obtained due to friction or the like. You can
Thereby, the accurate body temperature of the patient can be known.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic thermometer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of a transmission unit in the thermometer of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing another example of the configuration of the transmission unit in the thermometer of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a surface view showing an appearance example of a thermometer of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the thermometer shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the thermometer shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing axillary (a) and rectal (b) temperature-measuring probes as temperature-measuring units in the thermometer of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the temperature sensing element and time.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between measured temperature and time.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between measured temperature and time.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the content of one unit of transmission information transmitted from the transmission unit in the thermometer of the same example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the thermometer of the same example.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart following on from FIG.

14 is a flowchart for explaining Db processing in the flowchart shown in FIG.

15 is a flowchart for explaining Dc processing in the flowchart shown in FIG.

16 is a flowchart for explaining the transmission process in the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a memory map in the thermometer of the same example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 temperature measuring unit 2 connector 3 measurement calculation unit 4 transmission unit 5 power supply unit 6 storage unit 10 measurement site setting switch (measurement site input means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A temperature sensing element section for converting temperature information of a measurement site into an electric signal, a measurement calculation section for calculating measurement data from the electric signal, and the measurement data calculated by the measurement calculation section to the outside. An electronic clinical thermometer, comprising: a transmitting unit for supplying power, a power supply unit that supplies electric power to each unit, and a storage unit that stores a measurement site and measurement data of the measurement site in association with each other. 2. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 1, further comprising a measurement site automatic determination means for automatically determining a measurement site corresponding to the measurement data calculated by the measurement calculation section. 3. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 2, wherein the measuring portion automatic judging means automatically judges the measuring portion by a dedicated temperature measuring probe corresponding to each measuring portion. 4. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 2, wherein the measuring portion automatic judging means automatically judges a measuring portion based on a change in temperature rise. 5. The electronic thermometer according to claim 1, further comprising a measurement site input means for inputting a measurement site. 6. A temperature sensing element section for converting temperature information of a measurement site into an electric signal, a measurement calculation section for calculating measurement data from the electric signal, measurement data calculated by the measurement calculation section, and the measurement data. An electronic clinical thermometer, comprising: a transmitter for associating a measurement site corresponding to the item 1 and sending it to the outside, and a power source unit for supplying electric power to each unit. 7. A temperature sensing element section for converting temperature information of a measurement site into an electric signal, a measurement calculation section for calculating measurement data from the electric signal, measurement data calculated by the measurement calculation section, and the measurement data. An electronic clinical thermometer, comprising: a transmitter that associates measurement time information corresponding to the above with the information and sends the information to the outside, and a power supply that supplies electric power to each of the units. 8. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the transmitting unit sends the ID numbers of the individual clinical thermometers together with the measurement data. 9. The electronic clinical thermometer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said transmitting unit transmits by utilizing infrared rays. 10. The transmitter according to claim 6, wherein the transmitter is a transmitter for transmitting using RF radio.
Electronic thermometer described.