JP2011062370A - Ear type clinical thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ear type clinical thermometer which starts body temperature measurement when it is in an appropriate measurement state. <P>SOLUTION: The ear type clinical thermometer includes a temperature detection element 301 and an infrared ray detection element 302, measures a body temperature, and is provided with a probe 103 and a body part 102 for supporting the probe 103 so as to operate it along an insertion direction. The body part 102 is provided with a support member 202a for supporting the temperature detection element 301 and the infrared ray detection element 302 so as to dispose them near an opening at the distal end of the probe 103, and detection means (205, 206) for detecting the operation by the result of pressing of the probe 103 to the side wall of an ear cavity after insertion into the ear cavity when the probe 103 is operated along the insertion direction and a part of the support member 202a is projected from the distal end of the probe 103, and the measurement is started with the detection of the operation as a trigger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ear thermometer.

  Conventionally, an ear-type thermometer that measures the body temperature of a subject by inserting a probe into the ear cavity and detecting the temperature of the eardrum or its surroundings has been put into practical use.

  An ear thermometer generally includes a temperature detection element (for example, a thermistor) that detects an environmental temperature and an infrared detection element (for example, a cold detector) that detects infrared rays emitted from a temperature measurement site (the eardrum or its surroundings) in the ear cavity. And a body temperature of the subject is calculated based on the detection temperature of each detection element. And there exists an advantage that a body temperature can be measured with high precision in a short time.

JP 2008-241362 A

  However, in the case of an ear thermometer, the probe tip is pressed against a place other than the ear cavity (for example, the concha), or the probe is not sufficiently inserted into the ear cavity (that is, an appropriate In the case where infrared rays radiated from the temperature measurement site in the ear cavity cannot be accurately detected, such as when the measurement state is not set, the measurement error becomes very large.

  For this reason, it is desirable that the ear-type thermometer has a configuration in which the measurement of the body temperature is started only when it is in a measurement state in which infrared rays emitted from the temperature measurement site in the ear cavity can be accurately detected.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and when it is in an appropriate measurement state, it aims at providing the ear-type thermometer which starts a body temperature measurement.

In order to achieve the above object, an ear thermometer according to the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A temperature detection element that detects an environmental temperature; and an infrared detection element that detects a relative temperature of the temperature measurement part by detecting infrared rays emitted from the temperature measurement part in the ear cavity of the subject. An ear-type thermometer that measures the body temperature of the subject using the environmental temperature detected by the detection element and the relative temperature detected by the infrared detection element,
A probe formed by a hollow cylindrical body and inserted into the ear cavity;
A main body that supports the probe via a predetermined elastic body so that the probe operates along an insertion direction when the probe is inserted into the ear cavity,
The main body is
A support member that supports the temperature detection element and the infrared detection element so that the temperature detection element and the infrared detection element are disposed in the vicinity of the opening at the tip of the probe;
As a result of the probe being inserted into the ear cavity and pressed by the side wall in the ear cavity, the probe moves along the insertion direction against the elastic force of the elastic body and is supported from the probe tip. Detecting means for detecting the operation when a part of the member protrudes,
The measurement of the body temperature of the subject is started when the motion is detected by the detection means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ear-type thermometer that starts body temperature measurement when it is in an appropriate measurement state.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the ear-type thermometer 100 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the probe side, and the external appearance perspective view which looked from the measurement start switch side. It is sectional drawing of the probe 103 and its periphery site | part. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view in which a part of a detection element housing 201 is cut away. 3 is a functional block diagram of the ear thermometer 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the body temperature measurement process in the ear-type thermometer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as necessary.

[First Embodiment]
<1. External configuration of ear thermometer>
FIG. 1A is an external perspective view when the ear thermometer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the probe side, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the ear thermometer 100 on the measurement start switch 106 side. It is an external appearance perspective view at the time of seeing from.

  In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 102 denotes a main body base, which is configured by injection molding from a predetermined thermoplastic resin material. A main body cover 104 is formed by molding from a translucent thermoplastic resin material. Examples of the translucent thermoplastic resin material used for the body cover 104 include so-called engineering plastics including polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene vinyl acetate polymer, and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate. It is done.

  In the ear thermometer 100 according to the present embodiment, the main body base 102 and the main body cover 104 are configured to be divided into two parts, and the mounting board is fixed inside thereof.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a probe that is inserted into the ear cavity (the ear canal) in order to detect infrared rays emitted from a temperature measurement site in the ear cavity (in particular, preferably the tympanic membrane and / or its surroundings). The outer diameter of the tip has a cylindrical shape of about 7 mm. The probe 103 is configured to be operable with respect to the main body base 102, and details will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, which is an XX cross-sectional view of the probe 103 and its peripheral portion.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a probe cover, which has the same shape as a part of the probe 103 and prevents earwax or foreign matter from entering the opening of the probe 103. The probe cover 110 is configured to operate integrally with the probe 103. Moreover, the probe 103 can be attached to and detached from the probe 103 and is disposable, thereby maintaining the sanitary condition of the subject.

  In the present embodiment, the probe cover 110 is formed by vacuum forming a transparent vinyl material so that the wall thickness becomes a predetermined thickness (for example, about 0.1 to 0.005 mm). However, the material of the probe cover 110 is not limited to this, and a material molded using a thermoplastic resin material other than this may be used.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a probe cover mounting tool that sandwiches a flange portion 110 f that is integrally formed with the probe cover 110.

  A power switch 105 controls the on / off of the power source of the ear thermometer 100 by a pressing operation. Reference numeral 107 denotes a liquid crystal display device that displays the measured body temperature of the subject and displays characters such as pictographs indicating that the measurement mode has been entered.

  Reference numeral 108 denotes a button battery. When the power switch 105 is pressed and the power is turned on, power is supplied to each part of the ear thermometer 100. Reference numeral 109 denotes a button battery cover, which is detachably attached to the main body base 102, whereby the user can easily replace the button battery 108.

  In FIG. 1B, reference numeral 106 denotes a measurement start switch, which measures the operation mode of the ear thermometer 100 and measures the body temperature of the subject when pressed with the power turned on. Switch to mode. Reference numeral 120 denotes a speaker, which outputs a sound when the measurement start switch 106 is pressed or when measurement of body temperature is completed. 130 is an LED element, and lighting is controlled corresponding to the internal state of the ear thermometer 100.

<2. Probe configuration>
Next, a detailed configuration of the probe 103 will be described. FIG. 2 is an XX cross-sectional view of the probe 103 and its peripheral part.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the probe 103 is formed of a hollow cylindrical body having an opening at the tip, and the bottom surface is connected to the main body base 102 via springs (elastic bodies) 203 and 204. It is supported. The probe 103 can be attached to and detached from the main body base 102 (and the main body base 102) together with the probe cover 110 when pressed in the direction of the arrow 211 (the direction opposite to the insertion direction when the probe 103 is inserted into the ear cavity). It moves linearly with respect to the probe cover mounting tool 111) that is directly supported by the head. When the pressing force in the direction of the arrow 211 disappears, the springs 203 and 204 return to their original positions due to the elastic force.

  That is, the probe 103 is inserted into the ear cavity of the subject, and the peripheral surface of the probe 103 (actually the peripheral surface of the probe cover 110 because the probe cover 110 is attached) is indicated by an arrow by the side wall in the ear cavity. When pressed in the 211 direction, the probe 103 moves in the arrow 211 direction with respect to the main body base 102. Further, when the probe 103 is pulled out from the ear cavity of the subject, the pressing force in the direction of the arrow 211 disappears, so that the probe 103 returns to the original position by the elastic force of the springs 203 and 204.

  Furthermore, a conductor 205 is provided on the bottom surface of the probe 103. When the probe 103 is pressed in the direction of the arrow 211, it contacts the conductor 206 provided at a position on the main body base 102 opposite to the conductor 205. It is configured as follows.

  On the other hand, the main body base 102 includes a temperature detecting element (for example, a thermistor) for detecting an environmental temperature and an infrared detecting element (for example, an infrared detecting element (for example, the eardrum or the vicinity thereof) for detecting infrared rays radiated from a temperature measurement site (the eardrum or its surroundings) in the ear cavity. A detection element storage body 201 in which a thermopile composed of a cold junction and a hot junction is stored is supported by a cylindrical support member 202a (a detailed configuration of the detection element storage body 201 will be described later). Note that the support member 202a is preferably formed of a heat insulating material having a large heat capacity and low thermal conductivity.

  Note that the support member 202a supports the detection element storage body 201 so that the detection element storage body 201 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening at the tip of the probe 103. In addition, the detection element housing 201 is directly connected to the mounting board 207 via the wiring 202b arranged inside the support member 202a (or connected to the mounting board 207 via a connector not shown). ).

  FIG. 2B shows a state in which the conductor 205 and the conductor 206 are in contact with each other when the probe 103 is pressed in the arrow 211 direction and the probe 103 moves in the arrow 211 direction. As described above, in the ear thermometer 100 according to the present embodiment, the probe 103 is inserted to an appropriate position in the ear cavity of the subject, and the probe 103 receives a constant pressing force from the side wall in the ear cavity. When a part of the support member 202a protrudes from the tip of the probe 103 by operating in the arrow 211 direction, the conductor 205 and the conductor 206 are in contact with each other. On the other hand, in the state where the tip of the probe 103 is pressed against a place other than the ear cavity (for example, the concha), a part of the support member 202a does not protrude from the tip of the probe 103, and the conductor 205 and the conductor 206 are Do not touch. For this reason, the ear thermometer 100 detects ON / OFF of the conductor switch (detection means) formed by the conductors 205 and 206 by detecting contact (conduction) between the conductor 205 and the conductor 206. ), It can be recognized that the probe 103 has been inserted to an appropriate position in the ear cavity.

<3. Configuration of detector element housing>
Next, details of the detection element housing 201 will be described. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view in which a part of the detection element housing 201 is cut away. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection element storage body 201 includes an attachment base member 303. On the attachment base member 303, a thermistor 301 that is a temperature detection element that detects an environmental temperature, and a temperature measurement site in the ear cavity. An infrared detecting element 302 that detects infrared rays radiated from is fixed.

  The thermistor 301 is adjusted so as to be able to detect an absolute temperature which is a use environment temperature. Further, the mounting base member 303 is made of a good heat conductor such as an aluminum material so that the outside air temperature is transmitted to the thermistor 301, and the thermistor 301 has a mounting surface with a large surface area. It is fixed to.

  Furthermore, an electrode lead 307 is attached to the thermistor 301, and the detected temperature is output via the electrode lead 307.

  On the other hand, the infrared detection element 302 that detects infrared IR is adjusted to detect relative temperature.

  In the ear thermometer 100 according to the present embodiment, a thermocouple type (thermopile type) detection element is used as the infrared detection element 302. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, on the wafer carrier 302c fixed on the pedestal 303b of the attachment base member 303, a hot junction 302a and a cold junction 302b formed in a petal shape are formed.

  Each of the hot junctions 302a and the cold junctions 302b are formed of different metals and are connected in series, and a lead wire is connected to an electrode lead 308 fixed in an insulated state with respect to the mounting base member 303. . In addition, the range H surrounded by the hot junction 302a is assumed to be painted black so that infrared rays can be easily absorbed.

  Under such a configuration, the infrared detection element 302 detects the relative temperature based on the electromotive force generated between the contacts.

  The ear thermometer 100 calculates the body temperature of the subject by adding the detection temperature detected by the infrared detection element to the detection temperature detected by the temperature detection element. Note that details of this calculation processing are described in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-123179, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  Furthermore, the detection element housing 201 includes a cylindrical container member 305 formed so as to surround the two detection elements, and the container member 305 includes an outer peripheral surface 305 a and a ceiling surface having a hole 304. The

  The container member 305 is also formed of a good heat conductor such as an aluminum material or a stainless steel material like the attachment base member 303, and is configured to easily transmit the outside air temperature to the thermistor 301. Further, a window member 306 made of a ceramic material that transmits infrared rays is fixed to the hole 304.

  In the case of the detection element housing 201 shown in FIG. 3, an outer flange 303 a is extended from the edge of the attachment base member 303 in the radial direction.

<4. Functional configuration of ear thermometer>
Next, the functional configuration of the ear thermometer 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ear thermometer 100. Of the components or parts shown in FIG. 4, the components or parts that have already been described are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the thermistor 301 built in the detection element housing 201 is connected to the amplifying unit 405 on the mounting substrate 207 via the wiring 202b. In addition, the infrared detection element 302 that detects infrared IR is connected to the amplification unit 406 on the mounting substrate 207 via the wiring 202b.

  The control unit 401 arranged on the mounting substrate 207 is provided with a CPU 402 and RAMs 403 and ROM 404 which are storage elements. The detected temperature detected by the temperature detecting element 301 and the infrared detecting element 302 are detected. The body temperature of the subject is calculated based on the detected temperature.

  In addition, the LED unit 130, the liquid crystal display device 107, the speaker 109 (notification unit), the power switch 105, the measurement start switch 106, and the conductor switches 205 and 206 are connected to the control unit 401, respectively. .

  The liquid crystal display device 107 displays the body temperature of the subject calculated by the control unit 401. Further, when the measurement start switch 106 is pressed, a character such as a pictograph indicating that the measurement mode has been shifted is displayed.

  The LED element 130 lights up in green when the measurement start switch 106 is pressed, and lights up in red when the measurement of the body temperature of the subject is completed. The speaker 109 outputs sound when the measurement start switch 106 is pressed, when the conductor switches 205 and 206 are turned on, and when the measurement of the body temperature of the subject is completed.

  Note that the control unit 401 is configured to operate by receiving power supply from the button battery 108 (power supply unit) when the power switch 105 is pressed.

<5. Flow of temperature measurement process>
Next, the flow of the body temperature measurement process in the ear thermometer 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the body temperature measurement process in the ear thermometer 100.

  When the power switch 105 is pressed, the body temperature measurement process is started. In step S501, it is determined whether or not the measurement start switch 106 is pressed. If it is determined in step S501 that the measurement start switch 106 has been pressed, the measurement mode is entered, and the liquid crystal display device 107 displays a pictograph indicating the measurement mode. The LED element 130 is lit in green.

  In step S502, it is determined whether or not the conductor switches 205 and 206 are turned on. If it is determined in step S502 that the conductor switches 205 and 206 have been turned on, it is determined that an appropriate measurement state has been reached, the process proceeds to step S503, and the speaker 109 outputs a buzzer.

  In step S504, the detected temperatures detected by the temperature detecting element 301 and the infrared detecting element 302 after obtaining an appropriate measurement state are acquired.

  In step S505, the control unit 401 calculates the body temperature of the subject based on the detected temperature acquired in step S504. Further, the calculated body temperature of the subject is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 107.

  In step S506, the LED element 130 is lit in red in order to notify that the process of calculating the body temperature of the subject is completed in the control unit 401. Also, sound is output from the speaker 109, and the body temperature measurement process is terminated.

  As is clear from the above description, the ear thermometer according to the present embodiment is configured such that the probe 103 can operate with respect to the main body base 102. Also, a conductor switch is disposed between the probe 103 and the main body base 102, the probe 103 is inserted to an appropriate position in the ear cavity of the subject, and the probe 103 applies a constant pressing force from the side wall in the ear cavity. By receiving, a part of the support member 202a protrudes from the tip of the probe 103, and when the probe 103 operates with respect to the main body base 102, the conductor switch is turned on.

  This makes it possible to use the detected temperature in a state (appropriate measurement state) in which the probe 103 is inserted to an appropriate position in the ear cavity for calculation of body temperature. As a result, it is possible to provide an ear-type thermometer that starts body temperature measurement when in an appropriate measurement state.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the measurement start switch 106 is provided, and after the power switch 105 is pressed, the conductor switches 205 and 206 are turned on after the measurement start switch 106 is shifted to the measurement mode. In this case, the detected temperature is obtained, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, without providing the measurement start switch 106, the detection temperature may be acquired when the conductor switches 205 and 206 are turned on after the power switch 105 is pressed.

  Alternatively, without providing the power switch 105, when the conductor switches 205 and 206 are turned on, the supply of power may be started and the detected temperature may be acquired. In this case, after completion of the body temperature measurement, the power is automatically turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a conductor switch is disposed between the probe 103 and the main body base 102, the probe 103 is inserted to an appropriate position in the ear cavity of the subject, and the probe 103 is a side wall in the ear cavity. The probe 103 is configured to be turned on when receiving a constant pressing force from the main body base 102, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, a pressure sensor is disposed on either the probe 103 or the main body base 102, the probe 103 is pressed in the direction of the arrow 211, and the probe 103 is moved in the direction of the arrow 211. When the probe 103 is operated by being inserted to an appropriate position and the probe 103 receives a constant pressing force from the side wall in the ear cavity, this is detected as a pressure value, and further exceeds a certain pressure value. When it becomes, you may comprise so that detection temperature may be acquired.

Claims (6)

A temperature detection element that detects an environmental temperature; and an infrared detection element that detects a relative temperature of the temperature measurement part by detecting infrared rays emitted from the temperature measurement part in the ear cavity of the subject. An ear-type thermometer that measures the body temperature of the subject using the environmental temperature detected by the detection element and the relative temperature detected by the infrared detection element,
A probe formed by a hollow cylindrical body and inserted into the ear cavity;
A main body that supports the probe via a predetermined elastic body so that the probe operates along an insertion direction when the probe is inserted into the ear cavity,
The main body is
A support member that supports the temperature detection element and the infrared detection element so that the temperature detection element and the infrared detection element are disposed in the vicinity of the opening at the tip of the probe;
As a result of the probe being inserted into the ear cavity and pressed by the side wall in the ear cavity, the probe moves along the insertion direction against the elastic force of the elastic body and is supported from the probe tip. Detecting means for detecting the operation when a part of the member protrudes,
An ear thermometer that starts measuring the body temperature of the subject in response to the detection of the movement by the detection means.   An instruction unit for instructing start of measurement of body temperature, and when the start of measurement of body temperature is instructed by the instruction unit and the operation is detected by the detection means, The ear-type thermometer according to claim 1, wherein a temperature is acquired and a relative temperature is acquired from the infrared detection element.   The ear-type thermometer according to claim 1, wherein when the operation is detected by the detection means, an environmental temperature is acquired from the temperature detection element, and a relative temperature is acquired from the infrared detection element.   When the operation is detected by the detection means, the ear thermometer is powered on, an environmental temperature is acquired from the temperature detection element, and a relative temperature is acquired from the infrared detection element. Item 1. The ear thermometer according to Item 1.   The detection means detects the case where the conductor provided in the probe comes into contact with the conductor provided in the main body by causing the probe to move along the insertion direction. The ear-type thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the operation is detected.   The detection means detects when a pressure value of a pressure sensor provided in the probe or the main body portion exceeds a predetermined value as a result of the probe operating along the insertion direction. The ear-type thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the operation is detected.

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