GB1489650A - Heat sensing probe - Google Patents

Abstract

1489650 Temperature measurement AMERICAN MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CORP 20 May 1975 21574/75 Heading G1D A heat sensing probe comprises a probe member 20 on which is sealingly mounted a heat-sensitive element, and a disposable probe cover 12 which includes a body section 14 and a thermally conductive contact section sealingly interconnected therewith, the member 20 and probe cover 12 being sealingly engageable so as to define therebetween a thermal chamber which can retain fluid. The chamber is defined at least in part by the contact section and the heat sensitive element which are spaced from each other by fluid through which, in use, heat is transferred convectively from the contact section to the heat-sensitive element. As shown, the probe may include a housing 32 to which is fixedly attached the member 20 via discs 50, 52, an actuator button 30 being slidably mounted therein. The button 30 includes recesses 76, 78 in which are mounted ends of ejection elements 34, 36 and holding elements 38, 40. The holding elements grip the cover 12, e.g. at a flange 42, until depression of button 30 against biasing spring 60 causes the holding elements 38, 40 to diverge and release the cover 12 due to cams 104, 106 riding over disc 5.2. Ejector elements 34, 36 then abut and push probe end free from the housing 32. Various modifications of probe cover are described as well as that shown in Fig.4. In Figs.9, 11 and 12 (not shown), the contact portion is integral with the remainder of the cover, the tip of the contact portion being nipple shaped Fig.9 (not shown), smoothly convex with a reduced thickness contact portion Fig. 11 (not shown) or substantially flat with a reduced thickness contact portion Fig. 12 (not shown). The same tip shape variations may also include contact portions of different material to that of the remainder of the tip, the thickness variations then being absent Figs.8, 10 and 13 (not shown).