JP2003061915A - Ear type thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermometer stably held without any influence of an operation and a posture in measurement so that the body temperature can be measured with high accuracy. SOLUTION: This ear type thermometer 1 is provided with a probe 6 mounted on the thermometer body 2 and inserted in the ear, and a measurement switch 4 mounted on the thermometer body 2 and operated at least in starting and ending measurement. The direction of projecting from the thermometer body 2 of the probe 6 is substantially the same as the operating direction of the measurement switch 4. The measurement switch 4 is disposed on the back side of the thermometer body 2 and just behind the probe 6. The thermometer body 2 is provided with at least one raised part 22a, 22b abutting on the face to support and fix the thermometer body 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ear thermometer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In medical institutions such as hospitals and at home, body temperature is often measured for health management and confirmation of treatment progress. There are various thermometers for measuring body temperature, which are appropriately selected according to the disease or medical condition.

Among them, the ear-type clinical thermometer measures the body temperature by detecting the infrared rays emitted from the eardrum or the peripheral portion thereof by utilizing the fact that the eardrum temperature is close to the deep body temperature. The ear thermometer is configured to insert a probe (probe) into the ear cavity (external ear canal), guide infrared rays (heat rays) emitted from the eardrum or its surroundings to an infrared sensor, and measure the body temperature according to its intensity. have. This ear thermometer has the advantages that it can measure the body temperature within a few seconds, and that it can be used repeatedly by covering the part to be inserted into the ear cavity with a cover or disinfecting it.

However, the insertion direction of the probe into the ear cavity,
The influence of the measurement conditions such as the insertion depth on the measured value is large,
In addition, the movement of the probe during measurement may cause a large error in the measured value. Therefore, for example, when the measurement switch is operated during measurement, the hand holding the thermometer body may move each time the measurement switch is operated, and the probe inserted into the ear cavity may shake.
Further, the thermometer main body cannot be stably held against the face during the measurement, and the position may be displaced. In such a case, there is a problem in that the reproducibility is poor due to variations in measured values, and the reliability of the ear thermometer is likely to be impaired.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermometer which is capable of highly accurate body temperature measurement without being affected by the operation, posture, etc. during measurement.

[0006]

These objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (4) below.

(1) A probe installed in the body of the thermometer and inserted into the ear, and a measurement switch installed directly behind the probe of the body of the thermometer and operated at the start or end of the measurement. The ear-type clinical thermometer, wherein the protruding direction from the main body of the clinical thermometer and the operating direction of the measuring switch are substantially the same.

(2) The body temperature is detected by continuously operating the measuring switch until the measurement is completed.
Ear thermometer as described in.

(3) The ear thermometer according to (1) or (2), wherein the measurement switch is operated by pressing in a direction substantially the same as the protruding direction of the probe.

(4) The ear thermometer according to any one of the above (1) to (3), which has an insertion depth regulating means for regulating the insertion depth of the probe into the measurement site.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The thermometer of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are a front view, a side view, a top view, and a rear view of a thermometer of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

For convenience of explanation, the upper side of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 is “upper”, the lower side is “lower”, the left side of FIG. 3 is “tip”, the right side is “base end”, and FIG. The upper side of the above is called the “tip” and the lower side is called the “base end”.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the thermometer 1 of the present invention is an ear type that detects body temperature by measuring the intensity of infrared rays emitted from the eardrum and its peripheral portion. The thermometer is a thermometer main body 2 having a thermometer 10 including an infrared sensor (thermopile type infrared sensor) and a temperature sensor. The thermometer main body 2 is installed on the front side of the thermometer main body 2 and inserted into the ear cavity, which is a measurement site. The probe 6 and the measurement switch 4 installed on the upper rear surface of the thermometer main body 2 are provided. Further, at least a pair of raised portions 22 that come into contact with the face are formed on the front side of the thermometer main body 2, and the power switch 3 and the display unit 5 are provided in the recessed portion 20 formed near the raised portions 22. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, on the back side of the thermometer main body 2, a measurement switch 4 is provided on a longitudinal centerline B (see FIG. 1). That is, on the back side of the thermometer main body 2,
The measurement switch 4 is provided at the center in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the thermometer main body 2). As shown in FIG. 5, the measurement switch 4 is installed at a position directly behind the probe 6 of the thermometer main body 2 (a position on the back side corresponding to a position on the front side where the probe 6 is installed). Here, that the measurement switch 4 is installed at a position directly behind the probe 6 of the thermometer main body 2 means that a part of the measurement switch 4 is on the center line in the protruding direction of the probe 6 on the back side of the thermometer main body 2. In other words, it means that the measurement switch 4 is installed on the center axis of the probe 6 (on the extension line of the center axis).

When the temperature measuring unit includes a porometer type infrared sensor, the temperature measuring unit can be provided inside the tip of the probe 6.

The probe 6 is on the front side of the thermometer main body 2,
It is installed at one end (upper part) on the center line B in the longitudinal direction. That is, the probe 6 is installed on the front side of the thermometer main body 2 at one end (upper part) in the longitudinal direction and in the center in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the thermometer main body 2).

This probe 6 is shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the outer diameter is gradually reduced toward the tip, and the tip outer peripheral portion 63 of the probe 6 has a rounded edge in consideration of safety when inserted into the ear cavity. It has a shape.

The probe 6 is detachably supported and fixed by a ring nut 9 on the support 7 of the thermometer main body 2 as shown in FIG. The support 7 has a large diameter portion 71 and a small diameter portion 72 on the tip side thereof, and male screws 73 and 74 are formed on the outer peripheries of the large diameter portion 71 and the small diameter portion 72, respectively.

On the other hand, at the base end of the tubular probe 6, there is a base portion 61 that abuts on the tip surface of the large diameter portion 71, and
On the inner surface of the probe 6 on the base end side, a female screw 62 that is screwed into the male screw 74 is formed. The probe 6 is supported and fixed to the support base 7 by screwing the male screw 74 and the female screw 62 together.

At the center of the support base 7, a light guide (waveguide) 8 for guiding infrared rays (heat rays) introduced from the tip thereof to an infrared sensor (temperature detection sensor) of the temperature measuring unit 10.
Is erected. The light guide 8 is preferably made of a metal such as copper having good thermal conductivity, and its inner surface is plated with gold. Further, the light guide 8 is covered with a protective sheet 81 so as to cover the front end opening. This prevents dust, dirt, etc. from entering the interior of the light guide 8. The protective sheet 81 is preferably made of a resin material having infrared transparency.

A ring nut 9 is attached to the large diameter portion 71 of the support base 7.
Are screwed together. That is, the female screw 91 is formed on the inner surface of the ring nut 9 on the base end side, and the female screw 91 is used for the large diameter portion 7.
The ring nut 9 is supported and fixed to the support base 7 by being screwed with the male screw 73 of No. 1. This ring nut 9
It acts as one ridge of the thermometer main body 2.

The ring nut 9 has a taper portion 92 whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the vicinity of the tip of the female screw 91 toward the tip direction, and the inner surface of the taper portion 92 is formed on the body portion 12 of the probe cover 11. An engaging portion 93 that engages is formed.

The probe 6 may be covered with a probe cover 11. In this case, when the ring nut 9 is mounted and rotated in a predetermined direction to be screwed, the slanted portion 64 of the probe 6 and the engaging portion 93 of the ring nut 9 are clamped by the barrel portion 12 of the probe cover, and the probe cover 11 Are securely fixed to the probe 6. This prevents the probe cover 11 from being displaced with respect to the probe 6 during measurement of the body temperature, and the probe cover 11 remains in the ear cavity when the probe 6 is removed from the ear cavity after the measurement. It can be avoided.

A flange, a mounting base, etc. are provided around the open end (base end) of the probe cover 11 of the present embodiment, and the flange and the like are sandwiched between the probe 6 and the ring nut 9, and the probe cover 11 is fixed. It can also be fixed.

The tip surface 94 of the ring nut 9 is preferably a substantially flat surface having a larger area than the ear cavity entrance. As a result, when inserting the probe 6 into the ear cavity, the tip surface 94 abuts in the vicinity of the entrance to the ear cavity and functions as an insertion depth regulation means for regulating the probe 6 so as not to be inserted into the ear cavity beyond a predetermined depth. . Therefore, by inserting the probe 6 so that the tip surface 94 abuts and using the thermometer 1, it is possible to always measure the body temperature with a constant insertion depth, and to insert the probe 6 into the ear cavity. It is possible to prevent variations in the measured values due to fluctuations in. In particular, the insertion depth of the probe 6 is restricted even when the measurement switch 4 is pressed. Furthermore, the problem of damaging the inner ear due to excessive insertion of the probe 6 into the ear cavity is avoided.

The infrared sensor provided at the base end of the light guide 8 is provided with a thermopile (thermopile), and the hot junction of the thermopile is installed in the heat collecting portion located on the center side and the cold junction is installed on the outer peripheral side. It has a different configuration. Then, the body temperature as a function of a thermopile output signal corresponding to the temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction and a signal corresponding to the temperature of the cold junction output by a thermistor (not shown) provided near or inside the infrared sensor. Is measured.

The thermometer main body 2 is formed with a raised portion 22 that abuts in the vicinity of the ear into which the probe 6 is inserted during measurement. As a result, when the thermometer 1 is used, the raised portion 22 serves as a fulcrum and the thermometer 1 is fixed, for example, at a predetermined position on the face. That is, the probe 6 inserted into the ear cavity
It becomes easy to maintain the insertion angle, insertion depth, etc. of the same as it is during the measurement.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the raised portion 22 has at least a pair of raised portions 22a, 22.
b. These ridges 22a, 22b
Is raised in the same surface as the surface of the thermometer main body 2 on which the probe 6 is installed, that is, substantially in the same direction as the direction in which the probe 6 projects to the front side. In addition, the raised portion 22a,
22b are provided on both sides of the center line B extending in the longitudinal direction.

Here, "protruding in a direction substantially the same as the protruding direction of the probe 6" means that the center line of the protruding direction of the probe 6 and the extension line of the protruding portion in the height direction are substantially parallel to each other. Means

In addition, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable that each of a and 22b is used by being brought into contact with the vicinity of the cheekbone, in particular, at a position sandwiching the cheekbone.
As a result, the thermometer 1 can be fixed more easily and reliably. For that purpose, the raised portions 22a and 22b are
It is preferable that the recesses 20 are arranged at a constant distance.

The probe 6 is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the thermometer main body 2, and the raised portions 22a and 22b are formed on the other end side. That is, the raised portions 22a and 22b are
The probe 6 is arranged at a distance suitable for supporting / fixing it on the face. With such a configuration, as in the case described above, the thermometer 1 can be reliably fixed to the face with the raised portion 22 as a fulcrum.

The heights and shapes of the raised portions 22a and 22b are not particularly limited, and the height is such that the thermometer 1 can be held and stopped without damaging the abutting face or causing discomfort. Any shape may be used. It should be noted that both the raised portions 22a and 22b are not limited to have the same raised height and shape, and may be different from each other.

The raised portions 22a and 22b are made of, for example, a resin material and may be formed integrally with the thermometer main body 2 or may be separate members.
The top may be covered with a cushioning material made of rubber, soft resin, or the like to reduce irritation to the face or prevent slippage.

A power switch 3 for switching on / off the power of the thermometer is provided in the recess 20 formed near the raised portions 22a and 22b. With such a configuration, a malfunction such as a part of a finger or a part of the face holding the thermometer 1 touching the power switch 3 and the power is turned off even while the body temperature is being measured is prevented. Can be prevented.

The power switch 3 may have any shape and any operation method as long as it is located in the recess 20, but it should be located on the center line B of the thermometer main body 2 of the recess 20. Is preferred. This makes it more difficult for the fingers and a part of the face to come into contact with the power switch 3 during measurement, and it is possible to reliably prevent the above-described malfunction.

Furthermore, the recess 20 is provided with a display unit 5. By being provided in the vicinity of the power switch 3, it is possible to easily visually recognize the connection state of the power switch 3 and the operating state of the thermometer 1 on the display unit 5 at the same time when the power switch 3 is operated.

The display unit 5 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays characters, symbols, or symbol marks for recognizing measured values, for example, standby time or elapsed time at the time of measurement, remaining battery level, etc. To do. The display may be in any form, for example, the number of segments that light up or blink may increase sequentially with the passage of time, and finally all the segments may light up or blink. . In particular, when displaying characters such as animals, the body temperature can be smoothly measured without getting tired of the infant or child who measures the body temperature.

On the back side corresponding to the position of the probe 6 on the front side of the thermometer main body 2, there is provided a measurement switch 4 which is operated at least at the start or end of the measurement as shown in FIGS. The operating direction (pressing direction) of the switch 4 and the protruding direction of the probe 6 are substantially the same. Here, that the operation direction of the measurement switch 4 and the protruding direction of the probe 6 are substantially the same means that the center line of the protruding direction of the probe 6 and the extension line of the measurement switch 4 in the operating direction are substantially parallel. Or the angle formed by the center line and the extension line is sufficiently small that the effect described later is not significantly reduced. With such a configuration, even if the measurement switch 4 is operated with the hand holding the thermometer main body 2 with the probe 6 still inserted in the ear cavity, the probe 6 moves in a direction different from the insertion direction. In addition, the probe 6 does not rotate in the ear cavity, and the insertion angle and the insertion position in the ear cavity do not change. Therefore, it is possible to always maintain the same measurement posture and prevent the measured value from changing. Also, for the same reason,
Operating direction of the measurement switch 4 and the raised portions 22a, 22b
It is preferable that the projecting direction of is substantially the same.

The operating method of the measuring switch 4 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a pressing type, a sliding type, and a touch type. However, the pressing operation is performed substantially in the same direction as the protruding direction of the probe 6 (pressing operation). Expression) is preferable, and a pressing expression accompanied by a click feeling at the time of pressing is particularly preferable. Such a system is easy to operate, and it is not necessary to change the thermometer main body 2 every time the measurement switch 4 is operated. Therefore, the insertion angle of the probe 6 into the ear cavity, the insertion position, etc. are stable and stable. Body temperature measurement is achieved. Further, if the measurement switch 4 has a click feeling when pressed, it can be confirmed by sound and tactile sensation that the operation of the measurement switch 4 has been performed reliably.

Further, it is preferable that the measurement switch 4 detects the body temperature by continuously operating until the end of the measurement. For example, the measurement switch 4 is depressed at the start of the measurement, and is kept depressed until the end of the measurement. Those that continue are particularly preferred. Thereby, the shake of the thermometer 1 during measurement can be prevented more effectively.

In addition to this, the operation of the measurement switch 4 may be performed by clicking a plurality of times until the end of the measurement. Furthermore, the shape, size, number, etc. of the operation surface of the measurement switch 4 are not particularly limited.

Although the thermometer of the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the thermometer main body 2 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawing, and any body can be used as long as at least the probe 6 and the measurement switch 4 can be installed and it is easy to hold with one hand. Further, the shape and the number of the raised portions 22 can be arbitrary, and for example, the raised portions 22 may be formed by continuously connecting 22a and 22b at their ends.

[0044]

As described above, according to the thermometer of the present invention, there is no blur of the thermometer even when the measurement switch is operated during measurement, and the insertion direction and insertion depth of the probe are changed. Since it does not occur, highly reliable measurement of body temperature can be achieved without variations in measured values.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a thermometer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the thermometer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the thermometer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the thermometer of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of use of the thermometer of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of use of the thermometer of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 thermometer 2 Thermometer body 20 recess 22 Raised part 22a ridge 22b ridge 3 power switch 4 measurement switch 5 Display 6 probes 61 base 62 male screw 63 Tip outer periphery 7 Support 71 Large diameter part 72 Small diameter part 73, 74 male screw 8 Light guide 81 Protective sheet 9 Ring nut 91 female screw 92 Tapered part 93 Engagement part 94 Tip surface 10 Detector 11 Probe cover 12 torso

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 27, 2002 (2002.11.
27)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

(1) In an ear-type thermometer for measuring body temperature by detecting infrared rays emitted from the eardrum or its peripheral portion, a probe installed in the body of the thermometer and inserted into the ear, and the probe of the body of the thermometer. A measurement switch which is arranged at a position directly behind and which is operated at the time of starting or ending the measurement, and an insertion depth regulation means for regulating the insertion depth of the probe into the ear, and the protrusion of the probe from the thermometer body. The ear thermometer, wherein the direction and the operating direction of the measuring switch are substantially the same.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

(2) The ear thermometer according to (1), wherein the body temperature is detected by continuously pressing the measurement switch from the start of measurement to the end of measurement.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

(3) The ear thermometer according to (1) or (2), wherein the measurement switch is operated by pressing in a direction substantially the same as the protruding direction of the probe.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

(4) The infrared ray is detected by a thermopile type infrared sensor.
An ear thermometer according to any one of (3) to (3).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A probe, which is installed in a thermometer main body and inserted into an ear, and a measurement switch, which is installed at a position directly behind the probe of the thermometer main body and is operated at the start or end of measurement, An ear-type clinical thermometer, wherein a protruding direction from the thermometer main body and an operating direction of the measurement switch are substantially the same. 2. The ear thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the body temperature is detected by continuously operating the measurement switch until the measurement is completed. 3. The ear thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the measurement switch is pressed in a direction substantially the same as the protruding direction of the probe. 4. The ear thermometer according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion depth regulating means for regulating an insertion depth of the probe into a measurement site.