JP2756922B2 - Eardrum temperature measurement head - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an eardrum temperature measuring head,
In particular, the present invention relates to an eardrum temperature measuring head for detecting an eardrum temperature without contacting the eardrum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to accurately detect body temperature, it is common to detect the temperature of an eardrum. Conventionally, when detecting the eardrum temperature, a contact-type temperature sensor such as a thermistor is brought into contact with the eardrum. Medical research reports using such eardrum temperature sensors are reported, for example, by the 14th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Sleep Sciences (1989), “Changes in Eardrum Temperature During Sleep,” by Kinji Uchino, Health Care Center, Yokohama National University. According to this method, the temperature of the eardrum can be continuously detected, but the contact type temperature sensor must be brought into contact with the eardrum, which causes pain to the subject. Further, this method is not a method that can be performed by persons other than specialists such as doctors.

To detect the temperature of the eardrum without contacting the eardrum, for example, an eardrum temperature sensor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-28524 is known. As shown in FIG. 4, the eardrum temperature sensor guides infrared radiation radiated from the eardrum to an infrared sensor 2 disposed outside the ear canal by a waveguide 1 inserted into the ear canal, and outputs the infrared sensor 2 from the output of the infrared sensor 2. The signal processing unit 3 detects the eardrum temperature. Then, the waveguide 1, the infrared sensor 2, and the signal processing unit 3
Is housed in a package.

As an eardrum temperature sensor of this type, for example, a product such as First Temp (trademark) manufactured by Medical System Co., Ltd. is commercially available as a medical instant thermometer. According to the eardrum temperature sensor of this type, since the eardrum temperature is detected without contacting the eardrum, the eardrum temperature can be safely and easily detected without causing any pain to the subject.

[0005]

The conventional non-contact type eardrum temperature sensor has a structure in which the waveguide 1, the infrared sensor 2, and the signal processing unit 3 are housed in one package. It is difficult to attach and fix a large eardrum temperature sensor to the ear for a long time. In addition, it is easy to come off the ear.
For this reason, it is difficult for this eardrum temperature sensor to continuously detect the eardrum temperature.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 5, the external auditory canal 5 is generally S-shaped including a first bent portion 7 and a second bent portion 8 from the near side, and the eardrum 6 is located behind the ear canal 5. In the conventional configuration, the waveguide 1 is connected to the external auditory canal 5.
Even if it is fixed inside, each time the waveguide 1 is inserted into the ear canal 5, the insertion depth and angle vary, making it difficult to accurately detect the eardrum temperature.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to continuously detect the eardrum temperature when the eardrum temperature is detected in a non-contact manner from the infrared rays radiated from the eardrum. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to continuously and accurately detect the eardrum temperature without contacting the eardrum. Still another object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately detect the eardrum temperature continuously and with a simple configuration when detecting the eardrum temperature without contacting the eardrum.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a more secure
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect an eardrum temperature without contacting the eardrum. Still another object of the present invention is to make it difficult for the measuring head to come off the ear when detecting the eardrum temperature. Still another object of the present invention is to facilitate mounting of the measuring head on the ear canal when detecting eardrum temperature.

An eardrum temperature measuring head according to the present invention is for detecting an eardrum temperature in a non-contact manner with an eardrum from infrared rays radiated from the eardrum, and includes an infrared sensor that can be inserted into an ear canal, and a lead wire. , And a support. The lead wire is for taking out the output of the infrared sensor outside the ear canal. The support is attachable to the ear canal and is for holding the infrared sensor in the ear canal. Previous term
The support extends from the entrance of the ear canal to its first bend.
It is shaped according to the shape, and the lead wire can be moved in the previous period
Support the infrared sensor.
ing.

[0010] Incidentally, year lead has a stopper so that year infrared sensor does not enter the back than the predetermined position in the ear canal, year support constraining the movement engages with the previous year stopper It is desirable to have a holder for

[0011] In addition, the previous year support, ventilation holes for communicating the ear canal and the outside air may be formed. Also before
It is preferable that a recess capable of accommodating a part of the infrared sensor is formed on an end face of the initial support on the infrared sensor side.

Further, it is preferable that a protection member having flexibility and covering the periphery of the infrared sensor is further provided.

[0013]

In the eardrum temperature measuring head according to the present invention, the support and the infrared sensor are inserted into the ear canal, and the infrared sensor is held in the ear canal. With this infrared sensor, infrared rays emitted from the eardrum are directly detected. Then, an output corresponding to the detected amount of infrared light is taken out of the ear canal from the lead wire. This output is processed by the signal processing unit.

Here, an infrared sensor is arranged facing the eardrum in the ear canal, and infrared rays emitted from the eardrum are directly detected by the infrared sensor, so that there is no need to use a waveguide. Therefore, variation at the time of detection is reduced, and the eardrum temperature can be accurately detected. In addition, infrared sensors,
Since it is only necessary to insert the measuring head including the lead wire and the support into the ear canal, the size of the portion to be attached to the ear can be reduced and lightened, and the device can be continuously worn for a long time.

When one end of the lead wire is fixed to the infrared sensor and the support movably supports the lead wire to hold the infrared sensor, the infrared sensor and the support are integrated and inserted into the ear. Then, after insertion, the infrared sensor is moved to a deep position in the ear canal. Here, it is easy to insert the infrared sensor and the support into the ear canal. In addition, since the infrared sensor can be easily arranged near the eardrum by moving the infrared sensor after insertion, the eardrum temperature can be detected more accurately.

Further, the lead wire has a stopper for preventing the infrared sensor from entering deeper than a predetermined position in the external auditory canal, and a supporter is engaged with the stopper to restrain the movement thereof. When the infrared sensor is moved to a position close to the eardrum, the stopper is locked to the holder and the movement of the infrared sensor from a predetermined position to the back is restrained. Contact can be prevented.

When the support has a shape along the shape from the entrance of the ear canal to the first bent portion thereof, the support is securely attached to the ear canal when the support is mounted on the ear canal. You. Therefore, the support is unlikely to come off the ear canal. In addition, when the support is provided with a ventilation hole for communicating the inside of the ear canal with the outside air, the ear canal and the outside air communicate with each other when the support is attached to the ear canal, and the discomfort of the subject due to the feeling of ear closure is reduced. Less.

Further, the end face of the support on the infrared sensor side is
In the case where a depression capable of accommodating a part of the infrared sensor is formed, the infrared sensor can be fitted into the depression of the support when the sensor is mounted on the ear canal, and the support and the infrared sensor can be integrally mounted. Therefore, the support and the infrared sensor can be easily mounted on the ear canal. Furthermore, when a protective member having flexibility and covering the periphery of the infrared sensor is further provided, the ear canal and the protective member come into contact when the infrared sensor is inserted. Here, since the ear canal contacts the flexible protective member, the ear canal can be protected, and the safety is further improved.

[0019]

1, an eardrum temperature measuring apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an eardrum temperature measuring head 11 and a signal processing unit 12. Tympanic temperature measuring head 11
Has an infrared sensor 13 that can be inserted into the ear canal, a lead wire 14, and a support 15.

Since the infrared sensor 13 needs to be inserted and fixed in the external auditory canal, a thermal infrared sensor that is small and does not require element cooling is suitable. Further, among thermal infrared sensors, those of a thermopile type or a bolometer type capable of detecting a steady heat source without a chopper are preferable. As a thermopile type infrared sensor, for example, there is a thermopile type infrared sensor including a thermopile element mounted on a TO-46 package and a temperature compensating thermistor. The periphery of the infrared sensor 13 is covered with a sponge-like protection member 16 for protecting the ear canal. The viewing angle of the infrared sensor 13 is set so that infrared rays emitted from a region including the eardrum and the external auditory meatus near the eardrum can be detected.

The lead wire 14 has an infrared sensor 13 at one end.
, And the other end is connected to the signal processing unit 12.
The lead wire 14 has a function of extracting the output of the infrared sensor 13 to the signal processing unit 12, moving the infrared sensor 13 back and forth in the external auditory canal, and fixing the infrared sensor 13 in the external auditory canal. For this reason, as the lead wire 14, for example, a coated metal wire having elasticity that is not easily plastically deformed, such as vinyl chloride, is used. A stopper 17 made of acrylic resin is attached to the lead wire 14 to prevent the infrared sensor 13 from moving deeper than a predetermined position in the ear canal.

The support 15 is formed by injecting a two-component curable putty-like silicone rubber which cures in a few minutes into the ear canal, taking the mold, and shaping the mold from the entrance of the ear canal 5 to the first bent portion 7. It is manufactured by processing to conform to The support 15 has a lead wire guide hole 18 for movably supporting the lead wire 14. Also,
A stopper 17 is provided at the outside air end of the lead wire guide hole 18.
A holder 19 composed of an O-ring for locking the O-ring is adhered. The holder 19 is a member for preventing the stopper 17 from moving further in the ear canal after the infrared sensor 13 is inserted to a position facing the eardrum of the ear canal. Further, a recess 2 for integrating the infrared sensor 13 with the support 15 is provided on the back side of the support 15.
0 is formed. The recess 20 is formed in accordance with the shape of the end of the infrared sensor 13 on the support side.

The signal processing unit 12 is protected by, for example, a case 21 large enough to be attached to a breast pocket. The signal processing unit 12 amplifies the output from the infrared sensor 13 and converts the output to the eardrum temperature. The converted eardrum temperature is stored in the storage unit and displayed on the liquid crystal screen 23. Note that the relationship between the output of the infrared sensor 13 and the eardrum temperature is obtained in advance using a black body furnace, and the signal processing unit 1
2, this relationship is stored in, for example, a conversion table. This conversion table is stored in the infrared sensor 13.
May be provided in accordance with the viewing angle.

Next, a method of using the thus-configured eardrum temperature measuring device 10 will be described. First, before mounting, the supporter 15 is gripped, the lead wire 14 is pulled to one side (outside air side), the end of the infrared sensor 13 is housed in the recess 20, and the infrared sensor 13 and the support 15 are integrated. State. When the support 15 is attached to the ear canal 5 in this state, the infrared sensor 13 can be inserted up to the first bent portion 7 of the ear canal 5 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the lead wire 14 is gradually pushed in, and the stopper 17 is finally inserted into the holder 19 to fix the lead wire 14 as shown in FIG. Thus, the infrared sensor 13 can be easily inserted and fixed to a position facing the eardrum 6 at the back of the ear canal 5.

Subsequently, the signal processing unit 12 is operated to measure the eardrum temperature. After amplifying the output from the infrared sensor 13, the signal processing unit 12 refers to the conversion table and converts the output into the eardrum temperature. The converted eardrum temperature is stored in the storage unit and displayed at regular intervals, for example. If necessary, the eardrum temperature is read from the storage unit, and the temporal change of the eardrum temperature is also displayed. [Other Embodiments] FIG. 3 shows a state in which the eardrum temperature measuring head 11 of another embodiment is attached to the external auditory canal 5. The eardrum temperature measuring head 11 shown in FIG.
Is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. The ventilation hole 22 is formed so that the inside of the external auditory canal 5 and the outside air communicate with each other. As a result, the feeling of ear closure at the time of wearing is eliminated, and comfortable wearing is obtained.

[0026]

In the eardrum temperature measuring head according to the present invention,
An infrared sensor is arranged facing the eardrum in the ear canal, and infrared rays radiated from the eardrum are directly detected, so that measurement variation is reduced and the eardrum temperature can be detected with high accuracy. Further, since it is only necessary to insert the measuring head including the infrared sensor, the lead wire, and the support into the ear canal, the size of the portion to be attached to the ear can be reduced and lightened, and the device can be continuously worn for a long time.

When one end of the lead wire is fixed to the infrared sensor and the support movably supports the lead wire to hold the infrared sensor, the infrared sensor can be easily arranged near the eardrum, Temperature can be detected more accurately. In addition, when the lead wire has a stopper and the support has a holder that is locked to the stopper, the movement of the infrared sensor from a predetermined position to the back is restricted, and measurement can be performed more safely.

Further, when the support has a shape conforming to the shape of the ear canal, the support is securely attached to the ear canal, so that the support does not easily come off the ear canal. In addition, when the support is provided with a vent, the external auditory canal communicates with the outside air when the support is attached to the external auditory meatus, thereby preventing the subject from feeling uncomfortable due to the feeling of closing the ear. In addition, when the end face of the support is provided with a recess capable of accommodating a part of the infrared sensor, the support and the infrared sensor can be integrated, so that the support can be easily attached to the ear canal.

Further, when a protective member is provided around the infrared sensor, the external auditory canal can be protected, and the safety is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of a tympanic membrane temperature measuring device employing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of mounting the ear canal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional eardrum temperature sensor.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the ear canal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Tympanic membrane temperature measuring head 13 Infrared sensor 14 Lead wire 15 Supporter 16 Protective member 17 Stopper 18 Lead wire guide hole 19 Holder 20 Depression 22 Vent hole

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An eardrum temperature measuring head for detecting an eardrum temperature in a non-contact manner with an eardrum from infrared rays radiated from the eardrum, wherein the infrared sensor is insertable into an ear canal; a lead wire for taking out the ear outside Hokkaido is mountable on year ear canal, and a support for holding the previous year infrared sensor year on the ear canal, year support first from its inlet in the previous year ear canal At the bend
The shape is in line with the shape of the wire, and the lead wire
Holds the infrared sensor by supporting the camera movably
The eardrum temperature measurement head. 2. The lead wire according to claim 1, wherein the lead wire has a stopper for preventing the infrared sensor from entering deeper than a predetermined position in the ear canal, and the support is engaged with the stopper to move the lead sensor. and a holder for restraining, tympanic temperature measurement head according to claim 1. The 3. year support, ventilation holes for communicating the year ear canal and the outside air are formed, according to claim 1 or 2
2. The eardrum temperature measurement head according to item 1. 4. An end face on the infrared sensor side of the support,
The eardrum temperature measuring head according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a depression capable of accommodating a part of the infrared sensor is formed. 5. A flexible and further comprising a protective member covering the periphery of the year the infrared sensor, the eardrum temperature measurement head according to any one of <br/> claims 1 to 4.