JP2012185024A - Electronic clinical thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic clinical thermometer capable of measuring the body temperature of a person to be measured if one of body temperature measuring units fails.SOLUTION: An electronic clinical thermometer 100 for measuring the body temperature of a person to be measured, includes a body temperature measuring unit 11 and a body temperature measuring unit 12 each of which is used independently, and in one measurement of body temperature using the electronic clinical thermometer 100, either one of the body temperature measuring unit 11 and the body temperature measuring unit 12 measures the body temperature of the person to be measured.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic thermometer.

  Utility Model Registration No. 3155132 (Patent Document 1) discloses a general electronic thermometer. This general electronic thermometer measures the body temperature of a measurement subject while being sandwiched between an armpit or a tongue.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-224617 (Patent Document 2) discloses another general electronic thermometer. This electronic thermometer is a so-called ear-type thermometer, and measures the body temperature of the subject based on infrared rays emitted from the eardrum of the subject.

Utility Model Registration No. 3155132 JP 2005-224617 A

  The electronic thermometer disclosed in each of the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 includes one body temperature measuring unit. When one body temperature measurement unit stops functioning due to a failure or the like, these electronic thermometers are sent for repair or, in some cases, discarded. When one body temperature measurement unit stops functioning due to a failure or the like, there is a problem that even if the measurement subject wants to measure the body temperature, these electronic thermometers cannot respond to the request in a timely manner.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic thermometer capable of measuring the body temperature of a person to be measured even when one body temperature measuring unit does not function due to a failure or the like.

  An electronic thermometer according to the present invention is an electronic thermometer that measures the body temperature of a measurement subject, and includes a plurality of body temperature measuring units that are used alone, and in a single body temperature measurement using the electronic thermometer, a plurality of The body temperature of the measurement subject is measured by any one of the body temperature measurement units.

  Preferably, the plurality of body temperature measurement units include a first body temperature measurement unit and a second body temperature measurement unit. Preferably, the time required for measuring the body temperature of the measurement subject is set in advance to be different between the first body temperature measurement unit and the second body temperature measurement unit. Preferably, the shape of the first body temperature measurement unit and the shape of the second body temperature measurement unit are configured to be different from each other.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a case where one body temperature measurement part stops functioning due to failure etc., the electronic thermometer which can measure a to-be-measured person's body temperature can be obtained.

It is a perspective view which shows the electronic thermometer in Embodiment 1 (state after an assembly). It is a perspective view which shows the state (state before an assembly) of the electronic thermometer in Embodiment 1 decomposed | disassembled. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the electronic thermometer in the first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the electronic thermometer in Embodiment 2 (state after being assembled). It is a perspective view which shows the electronic thermometer (state after an assembly) in Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the electronic thermometer in Embodiment 4 (state after being assembled). It is a perspective view which shows the state (state before an assembly) which the electronic thermometer in Embodiment 4 decomposed | disassembled.

  Embodiments based on the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of each embodiment, when referring to the number, amount, or the like, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, or the like unless otherwise specified. In the description of each embodiment, the same parts and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may not be repeated. Unless there is a restriction | limiting in particular, it is planned from the beginning to use suitably combining the structure shown in each embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the electronic thermometer 100 in this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electronic thermometer 100 (a state after being assembled). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electronic thermometer 100 in a disassembled state (a state before assembly). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the electronic thermometer 100.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic thermometer 100 includes a case 10, a first body temperature measurement unit 11, a second body temperature measurement unit 12, a display unit 17, an operation unit 18, and a subassembly 35 (see FIG. 2).

  The case 10 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape from a hard member having inflexibility. The case 10 is produced, for example, by injection molding using a thermoplastic resin material as a raw material. The resin material used for the case 10 is, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) resin. A display unit 17 and an operation unit 18 are provided at predetermined positions on the surface of the case 10.

  A first body temperature measurement unit 11 is provided at the tip of the case 10. The first body temperature measurement unit 11 is sandwiched, for example, under the armpit or the tongue. The 1st body temperature measurement part 11 detects a to-be-measured person's body temperature by being used independently in the state independent of the 2nd body temperature measurement part 12 mentioned below.

  Referring to FIG. 2, first body temperature measurement unit 11 includes a cap 21, a temperature sensing unit 31, and a lead wire 33. The cap 21 is provided so as to close the tip of the case 10. The cap 21 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape from a metal material such as a stainless alloy.

  The temperature sensing portion 31 and the lead wire 33 constitute a so-called radial lead type thermistor. The temperature sensing unit 31 is connected to a control board (not shown) provided in the subassembly 35 through a lead wire 33. In the state where the electronic thermometer 100 is assembled, the temperature sensing unit 31 is disposed in the cap 21.

  A second body temperature measurement unit 12 is provided at the rear end of the case 10. The second body temperature measurement unit 12 is pressed against, for example, a forehead or a temple. The 2nd body temperature measurement part 12 detects a to-be-measured person's body temperature by being used independently in the state independent of the 1st body temperature measurement part 11. FIG.

  The second body temperature measurement unit 12 includes a cap 22, a cover member 23, a temperature sensing unit 32, and a lead wire 34. The cap 22 is provided so as to close the rear end (opening 10H) of the case 10. The cap 22 is made of a material such as soft and elastic silicone rubber.

  The cover member 23 is made of a metal material such as a stainless alloy. The cover member 23 is exposed on the surface of the cap 22. The temperature sensing part 32 and the lead wire 34 constitute another so-called radial lead type thermistor. The temperature sensing unit 32 is connected to a control board (not shown) provided in the subassembly 35 through a lead wire 34. In a state in which the electronic thermometer 100 is assembled, the temperature sensing unit 32 is disposed in the cap 22 and contacts the cover member 23 with a predetermined pressure contact force.

  The subassembly 35 (including the temperature sensing part 31 and the temperature sensing part 32) is disposed in the case 10 through the opening 10H as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Various components assembled to the subassembly 35 are formed by a display panel constituting the display unit 17, an operation switch constituting the operation unit 18, a buzzer constituting the notification unit 16, and a predetermined processing circuit (the control unit 14 in FIG. 3). And a control board to which the lead wire 33 and the lead wire 34 are connected, and a button battery as a power source (power source 19 in FIG. 3).

  With reference to FIG. 3, the electronic thermometer 100 is provided with the control part 14, the memory part 15, the alerting | reporting part 16, the display part 17, the power supply part 19, the temperature sensing part 31, and the temperature sensing part 32 as the functional block.

  The control unit 14 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 14 controls the entire electronic thermometer 100. The memory unit 15 includes, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) and a RAM (Random-Access Memory). The memory unit 15 stores a program for causing the control unit 14 or the like to execute a processing procedure for body temperature measurement, or stores a measurement result or the like.

  The notification unit 16 is configured by a buzzer, for example. The notification unit 16 notifies the measurement subject that the measurement has been completed and that the operation of the measurement subject (or the user of the electronic thermometer 100) has been accepted. The display unit 17 includes a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 17 displays measurement results and the like.

  The operation unit 18 is composed of a push button, for example. The operation unit 18 receives an operation by the measurement subject and inputs an external command to the control unit 14 and the power supply unit 19. The power supply unit 19 is constituted by a button battery, for example. The power supply unit 19 supplies power as a power source to the control unit 14.

  The temperature sensing unit 31 is connected to the control unit 14 by a lead wire 33 (see FIG. 2). As described above (see FIG. 2), the temperature sensing unit 31 constitutes the first body temperature measurement unit 11 together with the cap 21 and the lead wire 33. When the cap 21 is sandwiched between the armpit of the person to be measured, the body temperature of the person to be measured is transmitted as thermal energy to the temperature sensing unit 31 through the cap 21.

  The temperature sensing unit 32 is connected to the control unit 14 by a lead wire 34 (see FIG. 2). As described above (see FIG. 2), the temperature sensing unit 32 configures the second body temperature measurement unit 12 together with the cap 22, the cover member 23, and the lead wire 34. When the cap 22 is pressed against the temple of the person to be measured, the body temperature of the person to be measured is transmitted as thermal energy to the temperature sensing unit 32 through the cover member 23 provided on the cap 22.

  As above-mentioned, the 1st body temperature measurement part 11 and the 2nd body temperature measurement part 12 in the electronic thermometer 100 are used independently in the mutually independent state. In one body temperature measurement using the electronic thermometer 100, the body temperature of the measurement subject is measured by one of the first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the second body temperature measurement unit 12.

  When the first body temperature measurement unit 11 is used, the second body temperature measurement unit 12 is not used, and the second body temperature measurement unit 12 does not function. When the second body temperature measurement unit 12 is used, the first body temperature measurement unit 11 is not used and the first body temperature measurement unit 11 does not function.

  The control unit 14 includes a processing circuit for performing body temperature measurement, and performs body temperature measurement based on a program read from the memory unit 15. In that case, the control part 14 calculates the body temperature as a measurement result by processing the temperature data input from either the temperature sensing part 31 or the temperature sensing part 32. The control unit 14 controls the calculated body temperature to be displayed on the display unit 17, controls the calculated body temperature to be stored in the memory unit 15, or uses the notification unit 16 to notify that the measurement is finished. Control to notify the person being measured.

  When the cap 21 (see FIG. 2) including the temperature sensing unit 31 is sandwiched, for example, in the armpit, the control unit 14 measures the body temperature of the measurement subject based on the temperature rise in the temperature sensing unit 31. When the cap 22 (see FIG. 2) including the temperature sensing unit 32 is pressed against the temple or the like, the control unit 14 measures the body temperature of the measurement subject based on the temperature rise in the temperature sensing unit 32.

  Based on the temperature rise in either one of the temperature sensing unit 31 and the temperature sensing unit 32, the control unit 14 waits until a so-called actual measurement method (a thermal equilibrium state between the temperature sensing unit and the measured unit is obtained). The body temperature of the person to be measured may be calculated by a method for measuring the body temperature), or the so-called prediction method (the body temperature is calculated by a predetermined calculation before the thermal equilibrium state between the temperature-sensitive part and the part to be measured is obtained). The body temperature of the person to be measured may be calculated by a measurement method).

(Action / Effect)
As described above, the electronic thermometer 100 includes the first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the second body temperature measurement unit 12. For example, even when the first body temperature measurement unit 11 does not function due to a failure or the like, the body temperature of the measurement subject can be measured by using the second body temperature measurement unit 12. Even when the second body temperature measurement unit 12 does not function due to a failure or the like, the body temperature of the measurement subject can be measured by using the first body temperature measurement unit 11.

  The first body temperature measurement unit 11 is configured to measure the body temperature of the measurement subject over a period of several minutes (detailed body temperature measurement), and the second body temperature measurement unit 12 is performed over a period of several seconds. It may be configured to measure the body temperature of the measurer (preliminary body temperature measurement). According to this configuration, the electronic thermometer 100 can be optimally used according to the measurement method required in various situations.

  In electronic thermometer 100 in the present embodiment, first body temperature measurement unit 11 and second body temperature measurement unit 12 have different shapes and different measurement methods. The first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the second body temperature measurement unit 12 may be configured in the same shape and may employ the same measurement method. Even if the first body temperature measuring unit 11 does not function due to a failure or the like, the configuration can be used to measure the body temperature of the measurement subject by using the second body temperature measuring unit 12, The reverse is also true.

[Embodiment 2]
With reference to FIG. 4, the electronic thermometer 100A in this Embodiment is demonstrated. Here, differences from electronic thermometer 100 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment will be described.

  100 A of electronic thermometers are provided with 12 A of 2nd body temperature measurement parts instead of the 2nd body temperature measurement part 12 in the electronic thermometer 100 of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1. FIG. The second body temperature measurement unit 12A includes a cap 22A, a condenser lens 24, and an infrared sensor (not shown) built in the case 10.

  In the second body temperature measurement unit 12 </ b> A, infrared rays emitted from the forehead of the subject or the oral cavity of the subject are detected by the infrared sensor through the condenser lens 24. The value detected by the infrared sensor is calculated by the control unit 14 (see FIG. 3) and is calculated as the body temperature of the measurement subject.

(Action / Effect)
As with the electronic thermometer 100 according to the first embodiment, the electronic thermometer 100A is configured so that, for example, even if the first thermometer measurement unit 11 does not function due to a failure or the like, By using it, the body temperature of the person to be measured can be measured. Even if the second body temperature measurement unit 12A does not function due to a failure or the like, the body temperature of the measurement subject can be measured by using the first body temperature measurement unit 11.

[Embodiment 3]
With reference to FIG. 5, the electronic thermometer 100B in this Embodiment is demonstrated. Here, differences from electronic thermometer 100 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment will be described.

  The electronic thermometer 100B includes a second body temperature measuring unit 12B instead of the second body temperature measuring unit 12 in the electronic thermometer 100 of the first embodiment. The second body temperature measurement unit 12B includes a cap 22B (probe), a condensing lens (not shown) built in the case 10, and an infrared sensor (not shown) built in the case 10.

  In the second body temperature measurement unit 12B, a cap 22B as a probe is inserted into the ear canal of the measurement subject. Infrared radiation emitted from the eardrum of the measurement subject is detected by an infrared sensor through a condenser lens. The value detected by the infrared sensor is calculated by the control unit 14 (see FIG. 3) and is calculated as the body temperature of the measurement subject.

(Action / Effect)
As with the electronic thermometer 100 according to the first embodiment, the electronic thermometer 100B is configured so that, for example, even if the first thermometer measurement unit 11 does not function due to a failure or the like, By using it, the body temperature of the person to be measured can be measured. Even when the second body temperature measurement unit 12B does not function due to a failure or the like, the body temperature of the measurement subject can be measured by using the first body temperature measurement unit 11.

[Embodiment 4]
With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the electronic thermometer 100C in this Embodiment is demonstrated. Here, differences from the electronic thermometer 100B (see FIG. 5) in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the electronic thermometer 100C (the state after being assembled). FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a disassembled state (a state before assembly) of the electronic thermometer 100C.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic thermometer 100C further includes a third body temperature measuring unit 13 in addition to the configuration of the electronic thermometer 100B of the above-described third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the third body temperature measurement unit 13 includes an overhanging portion 26, a cover member 27, a temperature sensing portion 28, and a lead wire 29 that are protruded from the case 10. The cover member 27 is made of a metal material such as a stainless alloy. The cover member 27 is exposed on the surface of the overhang portion 26. The overhang portion 26 may be formed integrally with the case 10 as a part of the case 10, or may be joined to the case 10 as a separate member from the case 10.

  The temperature sensing portion 28 and the lead wire 29 constitute a so-called radial lead type thermistor. The temperature sensing unit 28 is connected to a control board (not shown) provided in the subassembly 35 through a lead wire 29. In the state where the electronic thermometer 100C is assembled, the temperature sensing unit 28 is disposed in the overhanging portion 26 and contacts the cover member 27 with a predetermined pressure contact force. The subassembly 35 (including the temperature sensing unit 31, the temperature sensing unit 28, the infrared sensor 38, and the like) is disposed in the case 10 through the opening 10H as indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  The first body temperature measurement unit 11, the second body temperature measurement unit 12B, and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 in the electronic thermometer 100C are used independently in a mutually independent state. In one body temperature measurement using the electronic thermometer 100C, the body temperature of the measurement subject is measured by any one of the first body temperature measurement unit 11, the second body temperature measurement unit 12B, and the third body temperature measurement unit 13. The

  When the first body temperature measurement unit 11 is measured, the second body temperature measurement unit 12B and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 are not used, and the second body temperature measurement unit 12B and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 do not function. When the second body temperature measurement unit 12B is used, the first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 are not used, and the first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 do not function. When the third body temperature measurement unit 13 is used, the first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the second body temperature measurement unit 12B are not used, and the first body temperature measurement unit 11 and the second body temperature measurement unit 12B do not function.

  When the cap 21 including the temperature sensing unit 31 is sandwiched between, for example, armpits, the body temperature of the measurement subject is measured based on the temperature rise in the temperature sensing unit 31. When the overhanging part 26 including the temperature sensing part 28 is pressed against the temple or the like, the body temperature of the measurement subject is measured based on the temperature rise in the temperature sensing part 28. When the cap 22B as a probe is inserted into the ear canal, for example, the body temperature of the measurement subject is measured based on the infrared rays from the eardrum detected by the infrared sensor 38.

(Action / Effect)
For example, the electronic thermometer 100C may be used when one or two of the first body temperature measurement unit 11, the second body temperature measurement unit 12B, and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 do not function due to a failure or the like. By using the rest of the first body temperature measuring unit 11, the second body temperature measuring unit 12B, and the third body temperature measuring unit 13, the body temperature of the measurement subject can be measured.

  In the electronic thermometer 100C, the first body temperature measurement unit 11, the second body temperature measurement unit 12B, and the third body temperature measurement unit 13 have different shapes and measurement methods. The electronic thermometer 100C can be optimally used according to the measurement method required in various situations.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment based on this invention was described, each embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. For example, the electronic thermometer according to the present invention may include four or more body temperature measuring units. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Case, 10H Opening part, 11 1st body temperature measurement part, 12, 12A, 12B 2nd body temperature measurement part, 13 3rd body temperature measurement part, 14 control part, 15 memory part, 16 alerting | reporting part, 17 display part, 18 operation Part, 19 power supply part, 21, 22, 22A, 22B cap, 23, 27 cover member, 24 condenser lens, 26 overhang part, 28, 31, 32 temperature sensing part, 29, 33, 34 lead wire, 35 sub Assembly, 38 Infrared sensor, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Electronic thermometer.

Claims (4)

An electronic thermometer that measures the body temperature of a subject,
With multiple body temperature measuring units used alone,
In one body temperature measurement using the electronic thermometer, the body temperature of the measurement subject is measured by any one of the body temperature measurement units among a plurality of the body temperature measurement,
Electronic thermometer. The plurality of body temperature measurement units include a first body temperature measurement unit and a second body temperature measurement unit,
The electronic thermometer according to claim 1. The time required for measuring the body temperature of the measurement subject is set in advance to be different between the first body temperature measurement unit and the second body temperature measurement unit,
The electronic thermometer according to claim 2. The shape of the first body temperature measurement unit and the shape of the second body temperature measurement unit are configured to be different from each other.
The electronic thermometer according to claim 2 or 3.

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