JP2002051989A - Ear-fitting thermometer probe cover and probe cover sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ear-fitting thermometer probe cover and a probe cover sheet with small degradation of a measurement accuracy at low cost. SOLUTION: The ear fitting thermometer probe cover, covering the probe of the ear fitting thermometer as is inserted in the ear for measuring a body temperature based on the infrared ray radiated from a tympanic membrane, comprises: the cross section is trapezoidal; a thin film 1A with a good permeability for the infrared ray radiated from the tympanic membrane is formed on the smaller bottom; multiple pieces of petal-shaped members 12, 13 are one-piece formed with and hung from the larger bottom. All components of the probe cover are one-piece formed from an identical material; multiple prove covers are formed with a specific gap on a one sheet with a good permeability for the infrared ray using an optional molding such as vacuum molding; cut or perforation for separation is formed in the boundary between the sheet and the probe cover or the members 12, 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a probe cover and a probe cover sheet for an ear thermometer, and more particularly to a probe cover and a probe cover sheet for an ear thermometer which have low measurement cost and high measurement accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a thermometer, a thermometer which is measured by sandwiching a temperature detecting portion under an armpit or a type which is measured by putting it in a mouth is used as a typical thermometer. When used by a healthy person, these thermometers can be used in a normal posture for only a few minutes, that is, by tightening the armpits so that the body temperature can be measured as accurately as possible, or the temperature sensor can be brought into close contact with the mouth. However, for people who cannot maintain their normal posture for a predetermined period of time, such as the elderly and children, there is a risk that the measurement accuracy may deteriorate or the body may be damaged by a thermometer, and may be in a dangerous state.

[0003] Therefore, in a medical institution such as a hospital or in a home where children and the elderly are present, a thermometer is inserted into the ear cavity (external auditory canal).
Ear thermometers that electrically measure infrared radiation emitted from the eardrum as a body temperature reference temperature are widely used.

When this ear thermometer is used in a medical institution, it is necessary to measure a large number of patients, and since the probe inserted into the ear cavity directly touches the human body such as the skin, it prevents infection. Disposable probe covers that cover the probe from the viewpoint of hygiene and hygiene management and that are replaced each time the temperature is measured are employed. One example of such a probe cover is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-37853.

FIG. 7 shows a typical shape of a probe cover of this kind. In FIG. 7, the probe cover 2
The shape of 00 has a shape similar to the outer shape of the probe, usually has a trapezoidal cross section, one end is an opening as an insertion port for the probe, and the other end is formed of a material that transmits infrared rays from the eardrum. And a thin film portion 200A.

At the time of actual use, a probe which is a temperature measuring part of a thermometer main body is inserted into a probe cover having such a configuration, and a shape similar to a part (taper portion) of the probe cover is viewed from the outside thereof. Cover with a cap and tighten it to fix it to the body. This fixing is performed by screwing a male screw provided on the inner surface side of the cap with a female screw provided on the main body side. An infrared sensor that guides infrared rays emitted from the eardrum through a waveguide and measures body temperature is provided in the probe.

[0007]

The conventional probe cover as described above has a structure as shown in FIG. 7, and a predetermined length portion HA at the lower portion of the probe cover is fixed to the probe by a cap so as to be an ear type. It does not come off when the thermometer is inserted or removed from the ear cavity.

Therefore, in such a probe cover, a portion exposed above the predetermined length portion HA is required to be inserted into the ear cavity, and the total length (height) H is required. Become.

By the way, the probe cover as described above is
One thin sheet having infrared transmission properties, by using a cast having an opening having the same cross-sectional shape as the probe cover, by vacuum suction from the opening, sucking out the sheet adhered to the cast, and molding. It is manufactured by the so-called vacuum molding technology.

When a probe cover having the above-mentioned shape is manufactured by the vacuum molding, the thickness of the obtained probe cover becomes thinner as the height (length) of the probe cover pulled out by vacuum suction becomes higher. In particular, the thickness of the top portion, which is the farthest portion from the sheet and serves as the infrared transmitting portion, is reduced. On the other hand, the thickness of the top portion as the transmission portion has a great influence on the measurement accuracy. Therefore, it is desirable that the thickness of each manufactured probe cover be thin and uniform.

However, in the above-described conventional probe cover, since the overall height H is high, the thickness of the top portion of the probe cover obtained in the case of manufacturing by vacuum molding is uneven. In addition, when a thin sheet is used for manufacturing, there is a problem that the top is too thin and may be broken. In order to solve this problem, a thick sheet may be used, but this will not only lower the molding accuracy but also increase the cost in mass production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a probe cover and a probe cover sheet for an ear thermometer which are low in cost and cause little deterioration in measurement accuracy.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a probe cover and a probe cover sheet for an ear thermometer according to the present invention employ the following characteristic configurations.

(1) An ear thermometer probe cover for covering a probe of an ear thermometer for measuring a body temperature based on infrared rays radiated from an eardrum when inserted into an ear, has a trapezoidal cross section and a small bottom portion. A thin film having good transmission characteristics of infrared rays from the eardrum is formed, and a plurality of hooks formed from a part of the main probe cover part having an open large base side on the opening side and hanging therefrom are formed. An ear thermometer probe cover that is configured.

(2) The ear type thermometer probe cover according to (1), wherein all the components of the ear type thermometer probe cover are integrally formed of the same material.

(3) A probe cover sheet in which a plurality of the probe covers of the above (1) are formed at a predetermined interval by a molding method using a single sheet having good infrared transmission characteristics.

(4) The probe cover sheet according to (3), wherein a cutout or perforation is formed at the boundary between the probe cover and the hook portion formed on the probe cover sheet and the sheet.

(5) The probe of the thermometer is inserted from the opening side of the probe cover, the hook portion is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the probe, the probe cover is inserted, and at least the outer periphery of the hook portion is pressed to release the probe cover. The probe cover for an ear thermometer according to any one of the above (1) to (4), which fixes the whole.

(6) A probe fixed to the upper part of the probe main body, an infrared sensor built in the probe main body, a signal processor for calculating a body temperature based on a signal obtained by the infrared sensor, and an ear The infrared sensor radiating infrared light from the eardrum through a waveguide that has been subjected to gold plating on the inner surface, and a thin film having a good transmission characteristic of infrared light from the eardrum is formed on one end side, A plurality of hooks formed by hanging from a part of the opening portion side of the main probe cover portion having the other end opened, and having an inner surface shape similar to the outer shape of the probe. A probe cover for accommodating the probe therein; and a cap for tightening a hook portion of the probe cover to tightly fix the probe cover to the probe. Ear thermometer probe cover.

(7) A male screw is formed on the upper part on the probe side, and a female screw is formed on the lower inner surface side of the cap so as to be screwed with the male screw. From above the probe cover covering the probe, The ear type thermometer probe cover according to (6), wherein at least a plurality of hook portions of the probe cover are fastened by inserting a cap and screwing both screws together.

(8) The probe cover for an ear thermometer according to any one of the above (1) to (7), wherein the hook portions are formed in four at right angles.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a probe cover for an ear thermometer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ear thermometer probe cover according to the present invention.

Probe cover 1 for ear thermometer shown in FIG.
Is a main probe cover 1 inserted into the ear of the subject.
1 and a plurality (two in this embodiment) of hooks 12 and 13 connected to a part of the main probe cover 11 on the opening side. The top surface 1A of the upper part of the main probe cover 11 is made of a thin film having a good infrared light transmission characteristic from the eardrum, and usually the main probe cover 1
1 and the hook portions 12 and 13 are integrally formed of the same material.

The probe cover 1 having such a configuration can be manufactured by a normal vacuum molding method. For example, as shown in FIG.
After a plurality of probe covers 1 are formed at a predetermined interval on a single sheet 10 having good infrared transmission characteristics by a vacuum molding method, the hook portions integrally formed on both axial ends of the bottom circle of each probe cover 1. Cuts and perforations are made to form 12, 13 so that they can be cut off easily.
By doing so, many probe covers 1 can be formed on one sheet 10 at the same time. The cuts and perforations are formed at positions where the probe cover 1 can be cut out integrally with the hook portions 12 and 13.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 for explaining the shape of the probe cover 1.
The probe cover 1 formed by an arbitrary molding method such as a vacuum molding method or a pressurized air molding method includes a main probe cover portion 11 and hook portions 12 and 13. It can be easily separated by the surface.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the probe cover 1 in a state of being attached to the probe of the ear thermometer has the hook portions 12 and 13 in the state shown in FIG. 1 bent at right angles. You. As is clear from FIG.
In the present embodiment, for example, the main probe cover 11 is a portion to be sucked out by a vacuum molding method, and has a height H1.
Only needs to be done.

On the other hand, the portion of the conventional probe cover 1 shown in FIG. 7 which is sucked out by, for example, a vacuum molding method has the entire height H of the probe cover 1, and the height H is equal to the hook portion 12, 13 is added to the length (height) H2. Therefore, when attaching and fixing the probe cover 1 to the probe, the lower portion of the probe cover 1 is fastened using the cap 400, and the fastening portion corresponds to the hook portions 12 and 13 of the present embodiment. Become.

Therefore, in the conventional probe cover,
The height of a single sheet sucked out by vacuum molding is about twice as high as that of the present embodiment. As mentioned above, usually
The thickness of the finally obtained top portion 1A becomes thinner as the height H increases, and the thickness obtained for each manufacturing also varies. As a result, in the conventional probe cover, the top 1
If the thickness of A is excessively thin, the thickness is too thin, or if the thickness of A is too large, the infrared transmittance is reduced and the measurement accuracy of the infrared sensor is deteriorated. Further, if the thickness of the sheet is increased in order to prevent the top portion 1A from becoming too thin and becoming thin, the cost will increase.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the height of the main probe cover portion 11 sucked out by the vacuum molding method is about half the height of the conventional one because of the hook portions 12 and 13, so that the height of the top portion 1A is reduced. The thickness is not so thin compared to the thickness of the sheet, the thickness variation after manufacturing is also significantly reduced, the variation in infrared transmission characteristics is also reduced, and the deterioration of the measurement accuracy by the infrared sensor is also reduced. In addition, the thickness of the sheet can be reduced, which leads to cost reduction.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which the probe cover according to the present embodiment is mounted on the probe of the ear thermometer.

In FIG. 5, a probe 101 is fixed to an upper portion of the main body 100. The main body 100 has a built-in infrared sensor 103 mounted on a sensor frame 108, and a substrate provided with a signal processing unit for calculating a body temperature by a signal obtained by the infrared sensor 103 via a lead wire 104 (FIG. (Not shown). The infrared sensor 103 includes a waveguide 10 having a gold-plated inner surface.
The infrared rays radiated from the eardrum through 2 are guided. The distal end of the waveguide 102, including the opening (tympanic membrane), is covered with a waveguide cover 106 made of a thin film member having good infrared transmission characteristics. Waveguide cover 10
6 is fixed to the waveguide 102 by the waveguide cover retainer 107.

In such a configuration, the probe 101 has a partial conical cross section (tapered portion) so as to be easily inserted into the inside of the ear, and the tapered portion is covered with the probe cover 1 according to the present invention. That is, the probe 101 is inserted into the probe cover 1. Main probe cover 11
Is tightly coated on the upper part of the probe 101,
13 hangs down below and adheres.

In order to prevent the probe cover 1 from coming off the probe 101 at the time of temperature measurement, the probe cover 1 is tightly fixed to the probe 101 by the cap 105. That is, a screw 100A is formed on the upper part of the cap 100, while a screw 105A that is screwed with the screw 100A is formed on the lower inner surface side of the cap 105.
By inserting the cap 105 from above the probe cover 1 covering the probe 101 and screwing both screws together, at least the hook portions 12 and 13 of the probe cover 1 are tightened and held so that the probe cover 1 does not come off. State. Thus, the probe cover 1 does not come off because at least the hook portions 12 and 13 that are integrally molded are fixed to the probe 101 by the cap 105. When replacing the probe cover 1, it is only necessary to remove the cap 105, insert a new probe cover, and tighten the cap 105 again.

In the description of the above embodiment, the hook 12
13 is two, but the number and shape are arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG.
Needless to say, 2 to 14 may be formed, or the shape may be made into a petal shape to promote aesthetic appearance.

Although the preferred embodiment of the ear thermometer probe cover according to the present invention has been described above, this is merely an example, and it is a matter of course that various modifications can be made in accordance with a specific application.

[0036]

As described above, according to the probe cover for an ear thermometer according to the present invention, a large number of probe covers can be manufactured from a thin sheet, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, since a plurality of sheets on which a large number of probe covers are formed or a plurality of separated probe covers can be stored in an overlapped manner, the storage space can be reduced. Further, since a thin film can be stably manufactured at a portion where infrared rays radiated from the eardrum are incident, a special effect that deterioration of measurement accuracy can be reduced can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an ear thermometer probe cover according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example in which a large number of probe covers for an ear thermometer according to the present invention are formed on a sheet surface.

FIG. 3 is a view A of FIG. 2 for explaining the shape of the ear thermometer probe cover 1 in the embodiment according to the present invention;
It is -A sectional drawing.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which an ear thermometer probe cover according to the present invention is attached to a probe.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the probe cover according to the present embodiment is attached to a probe of an ear thermometer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hook portion in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the shape of a conventional typical ear-type thermometer probe cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A, 200A Top 10 Sheet 11 Main probe cover 12, 13 Hook 100 Main body 101 Probe 102 Waveguide 103 Infrared sensor 104 Lead wire 105 Cap 106 Waveguide cover 107 Waveguide cover holder 108 Sensor frame

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masanori Sugiyama 1-8 Yokosunanakamachi, Shimizu-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture Inside Sugima Electron Co., Ltd. (72) Kozo Murakami 5-50-402 Fushimi 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan F term (reference) 2G066 AC13 BA01 BA08 BA09 BA57 BB15 CA20

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ear thermometer probe cover for covering a probe of an ear thermometer which is inserted into an ear and measures a body temperature based on infrared rays radiated from the eardrum, wherein the eardrum has a trapezoidal cross section and a small base at the bottom. A thin film having a good transmission characteristic of infrared rays from is formed, and a plurality of hooks are formed, which are connected and hang down from a part of the opening side of the main probe cover having a large bottom opening. A probe cover for an ear thermometer characterized by being formed. 2. The probe cover for an ear thermometer according to claim 1, wherein all of the components of the ear thermometer probe cover are integrally formed of the same material. 3. A probe cover sheet wherein a plurality of the probe covers are formed at a predetermined interval by a molding method using a single sheet having good infrared transmission characteristics. 4. The probe cover sheet according to claim 3, wherein a cutout or perforation is formed at a boundary between the probe cover and the hook portion and the sheet formed on the probe cover sheet. Probe cover sheet. 5. A probe of a thermometer is inserted from the opening side of the probe cover, the hook portion is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the probe, the probe cover is inserted, and at least the outer periphery of the hook portion is pressed to entirely press the probe cover. The probe cover for an ear thermometer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the probe cover is fixed. 6. A probe fixed to an upper portion of a probe main body, an infrared sensor built in the probe main body, a signal processing unit for calculating a body temperature based on a signal obtained by the infrared sensor, An infrared sensor that guides infrared rays radiated from the eardrum through a waveguide having an inner surface subjected to gold plating, and a thin film having good transmission characteristics of infrared rays from the eardrum formed on one end side. A plurality of hooks connected to a part of the opening side of the main probe cover having an open end and formed so as to hang down, and having an inner surface shape similar to the outer shape of the probe, and A probe cover for accommodating the probe, and a cap for tightening a hook portion of the probe cover to tightly fix the probe cover to the probe. Ear thermometer probe cover, wherein the door. 7. A male screw is formed on an upper portion of the probe, and a female screw is formed on an inner surface of a lower portion of the cap, the female screw being screwed with the male screw. 7. The probe cover for an ear thermometer according to claim 6, wherein at least a plurality of hook portions of the probe cover are tightened by inserting the two screws. 8. The probe cover for an ear-type thermometer according to claim 1, wherein four hooks are formed in a direction perpendicular to each other.