JP5322876B2 - In-ear thermometer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-the-ear thermometer, and is suitable for application when worn continuously for a long time.

  Conventional thermometers that measure body temperature continuously for a long time include those that measure esophageal temperature, nasal cavity temperature, and the tympanic membrane in a contact manner. These thermometers are highly invasive to the subject. .

  Some thermometers that continuously measure the body temperature for a long time measure the rectum temperature, which is relatively less invasive. However, the subject is uncomfortable and the hygiene management is complicated. Therefore, such a thermometer is not suitable for measuring the body temperature of a subject who lives in daily life.

  By the way, since the eardrum reflects the temperature of the internal carotid artery, it has been attracting attention as a part capable of measuring the core temperature of a person, and the development of an infrared electronic thermometer for detecting the eardrum temperature in the ear is progressing. .

  The infrared electronic thermometer measures infrared rays emitted from the eardrum in the ear and its surroundings by an infrared sensor, and can measure the temperature of the eardrum without contact.

  However, since the infrared electronic thermometer measures infrared rays radiated from the eardrum and its surroundings, it is difficult to measure infrared rays only from the eardrum, and the temperature accuracy cannot be improved. In addition, when the infrared electronic thermometer continuously measures for a long time, it is difficult to always measure the same part, and therefore, the temperature of a different part is measured every time measurement is performed.

  Therefore, some of the ear-insertion thermometers are of the earphone type, in which the probe is inserted into the ear canal, and the ear temperature is measured for a long time by, for example, a thermopile (thermocouple) provided at the tip of the probe. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-111363 A

  By the way, the external auditory canal has a temperature gradient from the entrance to the eardrum, and the temperature gradient changes as the outside air temperature changes.

  However, since the above-mentioned ear-insertion type thermometer measures the internal temperature of the ear with a thermopile provided at the tip of the probe, the measured temperature changes according to the change in the outside air temperature.

  In order to investigate the influence of the outside air temperature, it may be possible to provide a separate device for measuring the outside air temperature. In this case, an in-ear thermometer and a device for measuring the outside air temperature are attached to the subject. And it must be held, and the subject will be troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and intends to propose an in-ear thermometer capable of easily measuring the ear temperature and the outside air temperature for a long time.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, an insertion part that is inserted into the ear canal, an ear canal temperature measurement part that is fixed to the insertion part and measures the temperature of the ear canal, an extension part that extends away from the auricle, and an extension An outside air temperature measuring part that is fixed to the part and measures the outside air temperature, and a fitting part that supports the insertion part and the extension part and is fitted into the auricle are provided.

  As a result, the inner ear temperature and the outer air temperature, which are the temperatures of the ear canal, can be obtained by simply fitting the fitting part into the auricle, and the outer ear canal temperature measuring part and the outer air temperature measurement via the insertion part and the outer extension part supported by the fitting part. Each can be measured in the warm zone.

  According to the present invention, the inner ear temperature and the outside air temperature can be obtained by simply fitting the fitting portion into the auricle, and the outer ear canal temperature measuring portion and the outside air temperature measuring portion via the insertion portion and the outer extension portion supported by the fitting portion. Thus, it is possible to realize an in-the-ear thermometer capable of measuring the inner temperature and the outside temperature easily for a long time. Furthermore, since the temperature change of the ear internal temperature can be considered while considering the temperature change of the outside air temperature, it becomes easy to grasp the change of the ear internal temperature as an index of the wearer's state change.

It is an approximate line figure showing structure (1) of an ear. It is an approximate line figure showing structure (2) of an ear. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the ear-insertion type thermometer. It is an approximate line figure showing composition (1) of a temperature sensing main part. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure (2) of a temperature detection main-body part. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a base part. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a bending part. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode (1) at the time of mounting | wearing of a thermometry main-body part. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode (2) at the time of mounting | wearing of a thermometry main-body part. It is a basic diagram which shows the circuit structure of an ear insertion type thermometer. It is a basic diagram which shows the measurement result (1) by the ear-insertion type thermometer. It is a basic diagram which shows the measurement result (2) by the ear-insertion type thermometer. It is a basic diagram which shows the measurement result (3) by the ear-insertion type thermometer. It is a basic diagram which shows the measurement result (4) by the ear-insertion type thermometer. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure (1) of the temperature detection main-body part in other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure (2) of the temperature detection main-body part in other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Ear structure As shown in FIG. 1, in the human ear 1, the auricle 2 forms a characteristic unevenness with the auricular cartilage 3 made of an elastic body as a support and reflects sound waves from various directions. To the ear canal 4. The external auditory canal 4 is a passage for sound waves, and from the external ear canal entrance 4A to the eardrum 5, 1/3 of the external ear canal entrance 4A side is covered with the external auditory canal cartilage 6, and the remaining 2/3 is inside the temporal bone 7. is there.

  A sound wave that has reached through the external auditory canal 4 vibrates the eardrum 5 and is transmitted to the vestibule 12 and the cochlea 13 via the ossicles 11 composed of the tibia bone 8, the kinuta bone 9, and the stapes 10. 13 transmits sound information to the brain stem.

  As shown in FIG. 2 which is a horizontal sectional view, the external auditory canal 4 has two bent portions. Here, these two bent portions are called a first curve 15 and a second curve 16 in order from the ear canal entrance 4A to the eardrum 5.

  Next, the shape and size of the ear canal 4 will be described while showing the average value. The ear canal 4 has a substantially cylindrical shape from the ear canal entrance 4A to the first curve 15, and has a length of about 5.5 [mm] and a diameter of about 7 [mm]. The external auditory canal 4 has a substantially cylindrical shape from the first curve 15 to the second curve 16, and has a length of about 6.5 [mm] and a diameter of about 5 [mm].

  The external auditory canal 4 is slightly inclined forward from the left direction from the external auditory canal entrance 4 </ b> A to the first curve 15. In the external auditory canal 4, the left curve is directed from the first curve 15 to the second curve 16, and the bent angle (hereinafter referred to as the first curve angle) θ <b> 1 of the first curve 15 is about 135 degrees. .

  Further, in the external auditory canal 4, the bent angle (hereinafter referred to as the second curve angle) θ <b> 2 of the second curve 16 is about 130 degrees.

  By the way, in the ear 1, since the internal carotid artery 14 (FIG. 1) for carrying blood from the heart to the brain passes through the vicinity of the eardrum 5, the eardrum 5 is maintained at the core temperature that is the temperature of the internal carotid artery 14.

  On the other hand, in the external auditory canal 4, an external carotid artery (not shown) for carrying blood from the heart to the face, scalp, etc. passes through the periphery from the external auditory canal entrance 4A to the first curve 15, and is affected by the external carotid artery. The temperature falls below the core temperature. Accordingly, the ear canal 4 has a temperature gradient that increases from the ear canal entrance 4 </ b> A to the eardrum 5.

(2) Configuration of In-Ear Insertion Type Thermometer As shown in FIG. 3, the in-ear insertion type thermometer 20 exchanges temperature measurement information between the temperature measurement main body 21 and the temperature measurement main body 21 via the transmission line 22. And a temperature measurement information processing unit 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the temperature detection main body portion 21 is provided with a base portion 31 and a holding portion 32 as a fitting portion 30, a sealing portion 33, an ear canal insertion portion 34, an extension portion 35, and a conduit portion 36. Here, the longitudinal direction of the holding portion 32 is defined as the X axis, the short direction of the holding portion 32 is defined as the Y axis, and the thickness direction of the holding portion 32 is defined as the Z axis.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the temperature measurement main body 21, and FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are a top view, a front view, and an ear canal insertion portion 34 of the temperature detection main body 21, respectively. Front sectional drawing which passes along a centerline is shown.

  The base portion 31 is made of, for example, a resin material having a low thermal conductivity, is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with both ends rounded, and a holding portion 32 is fixed to one end side thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B which is a cross section taken along the line A-A ′, the base portion 31 is provided with a hole portion 31 </ b> A along the Z axis from the bottom to a predetermined height. Examples of suitable resin materials for the base portion 31 include polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, and fluororubber as materials having low thermal conductivity. Moreover, it is good also as a foam which has a lot of air bubbles inside.

  Further, the base portion 31 is on the plane that is rotated from the upper end of the hole portion 31A by the rotation angle θ11 set at, for example, 34 degrees with respect to the XZ plane as a reference (center), and in the negative X-axis direction ( Alternatively, the inclined hole portion 31B is provided so as to be inclined in the positive direction of the Y axis) by an inclination angle θ12 set to, for example, 20 degrees with respect to the Z axis.

  Further, the base portion 31 is provided with a side hole portion 31C that communicates with the hole portion 31A from the center to the side surface in the negative direction of the X axis at a predetermined position in the Z axis direction, which is below the portion covered with the holding portion 32. .

  The holding part 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is fixed to the base part 31 at a predetermined position on the X-axis negative direction side. The concha cavity portion contact surface 32A of the holding portion 32 is formed so that the X-axis negative direction side swells in the Y-axis negative direction and gradually becomes narrower in the X-axis positive direction.

  The holding portion 32 is formed so that the X-axis negative direction side is thick in the Z-axis direction and gradually decreases in the X-axis positive direction. The holding part 32 is made of, for example, a plastic material, and the surface thereof is covered with a resin material such as silicon rubber.

  Further, the holding portion 32 is provided with a hole portion on an extension line of the inclined hole portion 31B of the base portion 31, and is provided on the outer ear canal insertion portion 34 and the outer periphery of the ear canal insertion portion 34 to hold the sealing portion 33. 36 is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the external auditory canal insertion portion 34 is made of, for example, a stainless tube having a diameter of 3 [mm] formed in a substantially L shape. The external auditory canal insertion portion 34 has a bending angle in which an insertion portion 34B having a length of about 12 [mm] and an extension portion 34C having a length of about 6 [mm] are set at a bending point 34A, for example, 105 degrees. It is formed to be bent at θ13.

  The external auditory canal insertion portion 34 is fixed to the inclined hole portion 31B of the base portion 31 through the conduit portion 36 by an end of the insertion portion 34B opposite to the bending point 34A by about 6 mm, and the extension portion 34C. Is protruded from the base 31 so as to be parallel to the X axis.

  In the external auditory canal insertion portion 34, the distal end of the extension portion 34C opposite to the bending point 34A is closed, and an in-ear temperature measuring portion 37 made of a thermistor, a thermocouple, or the like is fixed inside the distal end.

  When the ear temperature measuring unit 37 is, for example, a thermistor, it has a property that its electric resistance value changes according to a temperature change, and a temperature signal S1 (FIG. 10) corresponding to the electric resistance value is obtained. The temperature is sent to the temperature measurement information processing unit 23 via the transmission line 22.

  Further, the insertion portion 34B of the ear canal insertion portion 34 is provided with a sealing portion 33 formed by providing an umbrella-shaped contact portion 33A at one end of a cylindrical attachment portion with an elastic material such as silicone rubber. Through the hole through the center of the sealing part 33.

  The extension part 35 is made of, for example, a stainless steel pipe having a diameter of 3 [mm]. A part of the extension part 35 is inserted into the hole 31A of the base part 31, and a part opposite to the inserted part projects from the base part 31. Is done.

  The extended portion 35 is provided with a tip of the projecting portion closed, and an outside temperature measuring portion 38 made of a thermistor, a thermocouple, or the like is fixed inside the tip.

  The outside temperature measuring unit 38 sends a temperature signal S2 (FIG. 10) corresponding to the electrical resistance value to the temperature measurement information processing unit 23 via the transmission line 22, similarly to the ear temperature measuring unit 37.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the thermometry main body 21 is inserted into the external auditory canal 4, the concha cavity abutment surface 32 </ b> A of the holding portion 32 abuts on the concha cavity 2 </ b> A, The ear canal insertion part 34 and the sealing part 33 are inserted into the ear canal 4.

  At this time, the holding portion 32 is formed so that the X-axis negative direction side swells in the Y-axis negative direction and gradually decreases in the X-axis positive direction, so that it fits into the concha cavity portion 2A. Thus, the concha cavity abutment surface 32A abuts on the concha cavity portion 2A.

  Thereby, the holding part 32 can prevent the temperature measuring main body part 21 from moving from the ear 1 and can prevent the temperature measuring main body part 21 from rotating with respect to the auricle 2.

  In the temperature measuring main body 21, the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the holding part 32 substantially coincides with the front-rear direction of the auricular concavity 2A, and the short direction (Y-axis direction) of the holding part 32 is related to the concha. It almost coincides with the vertical direction of the airspace 2A.

  The sealing portion 33 is elastically deformed so as to abut between the ear canal entrance 4A of the ear canal 4 and the first curve 15, and abuts on the inner surface between the ear canal entrance 4A and the first curve 15 with a predetermined pressure without a gap. Maintained. As a result, the sealing portion 33 is configured to block the entry and exit of air between the external auditory canal 4 and the outside, and to seal the external ear canal 4 from the outside.

  At this time, the sealing portion 33 is held at the ear canal 4 so as to be inclined forward with respect to the left-right direction by being inclined at an inclination angle θ12 through the insertion portion 34B of the ear canal insertion portion 34.

  Further, the sealing portion 33 has a thickness (about 5.5 [mm]) substantially equal to the distance between the external auditory canal entrance 4 </ b> A and the first curve 15, so that the distal end of the sealing portion 33 is the outer ear canal 4. The first curve 15 is located. As a result, the bending point 34 </ b> A of the ear canal insertion part 34 is positioned on the first curve 15.

  The external ear canal insertion portion 34 has a substantially cylindrical central axis in which the extension portion 34C is between the first curve 15 and the second curve by bending the insertion portion 34B and the extension portion 34C at a bending angle θ13. Is held along.

  At this time, since the length (about 6 [mm]) of the extension portion 34C is substantially equal to the distance from the first curve 15 to the second curve 16, the outer ear canal insertion portion 34 has its tip at the second curve. 16 is located.

  Further, the external ear canal insertion portion 34 has a diameter sufficiently smaller than, for example, 3 [mm] and a substantially cylindrical diameter of about 5 [mm] between the first curve 15 and the second curve 16. It is held in that space without contacting the surface.

  Accordingly, when the temperature measuring main body 21 is attached to the ear 1, the in-ear temperature measuring unit 37 fixed to the tip of the extension 34C is positioned on the second curve 16, whereby the in-ear temperature measuring unit 37 can measure the temperature of the ear canal 4 (hereinafter also referred to as the temperature of the ear).

  On the other hand, the outer extension 35 is held substantially parallel to the external auditory canal 4 when the temperature measuring main body 21 is attached, and the tip thereof is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side surface of the pinna 2 and away from the pinna 2. Be placed. That is, the outside air temperature measuring unit 38 is arranged on an extension line of the ear canal 4.

  Accordingly, when the temperature measuring body 21 is attached to the ear 1, the outside air temperature measuring unit 38 fixed to the tip of the extended portion 35 can measure the outside air temperature.

(3) Circuit Configuration of IntraEar Insertion Type Thermometer As shown in FIG. 10, the thermometry information processing unit 23 includes a control unit 51, a display unit 52, a storage unit 53, a power supply unit 54, an interface unit 55, and an input operation unit 56. Are connected via a bus 57, and are operated by receiving power supply from a power supply unit 54 made of a battery.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work memory of the CPU. The basic program stored in the storage unit 53 including a nonvolatile memory is stored in the RAM. The temperature measurement information processing unit 23 as a whole is controlled in an integrated manner.

  In addition, the control unit 51 realizes various functions by developing various application programs stored in the storage unit 53 in the RAM and executing them.

  The control unit 51 sends the temperature signals S1 and S2 to the transmission line 22 and the interface unit 55 at predetermined timings as time passes from the ear temperature measurement unit 37 and the outside temperature measurement unit 38 provided in the temperature measurement main body unit 21. Then, temperature data is obtained by performing predetermined signal processing on the temperature signals S1 and S2, respectively, and the temperature data is accumulated in the storage unit 53.

  In addition, the control unit 51 displays the temperature data accumulated in the storage unit 53 according to the operation input from the input operation unit 56 on the display unit 52 as necessary based on the temperature data.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), the temperature was continuously measured for about 60 hours by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear-insertable thermometer 20 while the outside air temperature was kept at about 24 [° C.]. The measurement results are shown in FIG. In FIG. 11 (B), the ear temperature measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear insertion type thermometer 20 is shown by a solid line, and the rectal temperature corresponding to the core temperature measured simultaneously with the ear temperature is shown. Shown with dotted lines.

  As is clear from FIG. 11 (B), the ear-insertion-type thermometer 20 measures the inner ear temperature with the inner ear temperature measuring unit 37 when the outside air temperature is kept constant. Although the temperature is slightly lower, it can be seen that the temperature in the ear can be measured accurately reflecting the circadian rhythm (circadian rhythm).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12 (A), the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear-insertable thermometer 20 is about 200 minutes while the outside air temperature changes between about 30 [° C.] and 20 [° C.]. The measurement result continuously measured is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12B, the ear temperature measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear insertion thermometer 20 is indicated by a thin solid line, and the rectal temperature corresponding to the core temperature measured simultaneously with the ear temperature. And sublingual temperature are indicated by a dotted line and a thick solid line, respectively.

  As is clear from FIG. 12 (B), when the outside air temperature changes, the core temperature is hardly affected by the outside air temperature, whereas the ear temperature is affected by the outside air temperature. Will change accordingly. Therefore, only by measuring the inner ear temperature, it is not known whether the inner ear temperature is changing due to the circadian rhythm or the inner ear temperature is changing according to the change in the outside air temperature.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13A, the measurement results continuously measured for about 60 hours by the in-ear thermometer 37 of the in-the-ear thermometer 20 in a state where the outside air temperature changes in daily life are shown. 13 (B). In FIG. 13B, the ear temperature measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear insertion thermometer 20 is indicated by a solid line, and the rectal temperature corresponding to the core temperature measured simultaneously with the ear temperature is shown. Shown with dotted lines. Incidentally, the outside air temperature was measured by a temperature measuring device provided separately from the in-the-ear thermometer 20 and always held by the subject wearing the in-the-ear thermometer 20.

  As is clear from FIG. 13B, when the ear temperature is measured together with the outside air temperature, whether the ear temperature changes due to the circadian rhythm, or the ear temperature changes according to the change in the outside air temperature. The cause of the change in the temperature inside the ear, such as whether it is present, can be easily determined.

  Therefore, since the intraocular thermometer 20 measures both the inner temperature and the outer temperature by the inner temperature measuring unit 37 and the outer temperature measuring unit 38, it is possible to easily determine the cause of the change in the inner temperature. it can.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14 (A), the measurement results continuously measured for about 60 hours by the in-ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the in-the-ear thermometer 20 in a state where the outside air temperature changes in daily life are shown in FIG. Shown in (B).

  In FIG. 14 (A), the outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature measuring unit 38 of the in-the-ear thermometer 20 is indicated by a solid line, and is provided separately from the in-the-ear thermometer 20. The outside air temperature measured by the temperature measuring device always held by the subject wearing the thermometer 20 is indicated by a dotted line. In FIG. 14 (B), the ear temperature measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear insertion type thermometer 20 is shown by a solid line, and the rectal temperature corresponding to the core temperature measured simultaneously with the ear temperature is shown. Shown with dotted lines.

  As is clear from FIGS. 14A and 14B, the intraocular thermometer 20 has a slightly lower temperature than the core temperature, but it is understood that there is a correlation between the ear temperature and the core temperature. In addition, the in-ear thermometer 20 has a value slightly higher than the outside air temperature measured by the temperature measuring device provided separately, but it is understood that the outside air temperature is being measured. Further, it can be seen that the ear temperature measuring unit 37 of the ear-insertion thermometer 20 measures the ear temperature according to changes in circadian rhythm (circadian rhythm) and outside air temperature.

(4) Operation and Effect In the above configuration, in the ear insertion type thermometer 20, the ear temperature is measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 fixed to the tip of the ear canal insertion part 34 inserted into the ear canal 4, The outside air temperature is measured by the outside air temperature measuring unit 38 fixed to the tip of the extending portion 35 extending in the far direction from the pinna 2.

  In the ear insertion type thermometer 20, the ear canal insertion part 34 and the extension part 35 are supported by the base part 31 and the holding part 32 as the fitting part 30.

  As a result, the in-the-ear thermometer 20 can easily measure the in-ear temperature and the outside temperature for a long time without forcing the trouble of separately holding a device for measuring the outside temperature.

  By the way, the ear-insertion thermometer 20 may be sandwiched between the auricle 2 and a pillow when used during sleep, for example, when it is desired to measure a change in body temperature during sleep in order to prescribe a sleeping pill to a sleep disorder person. is assumed.

  In this case, in the ear insertion type thermometer 20, the temperature measured by the outside air temperature measuring unit 38 is increased by the body temperature, and the ear temperature measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 is also increased.

  Here, in the configuration in which a device for measuring the outside air temperature is provided separately as in the conventional case, the outside air temperature does not change when the ear canal 4 is blocked by a pillow or the like and the inside air temperature rises. It is not possible to specify the cause of the increase in the ear temperature.

  On the other hand, since the external temperature measuring unit 38 is arranged on the extension line of the external auditory canal 4 in the ear insertion type thermometer 20, the temperature at the position where the external air temperature measuring unit 38 is along the temperature gradient of the external auditory canal 4. Will be measured.

  As a result, in the in-the-ear thermometer 20, the change in the ear temperature measured by the ear temperature measuring unit 37 is a change in temperature in the far direction of the ear canal 4, such as being blocked by a pillow or the like. Can be specified by a doctor or the like.

  Further, in the intra-aural thermometer 20, the sealing portion 33 is elastically deformed between the outer ear canal entrance 4 </ b> A of the ear canal 4 and the first curve 15, and is brought into contact with the inner surface of the outer ear canal 4 with a predetermined pressure. Thus, the external auditory canal 4 can be sealed, and the state in which the temperature measuring main body 21 is attached to the ear 1 can be maintained.

  Further, in the ear insertion type thermometer 20, the external ear canal insertion portion 34 has an insertion portion 34B inserted into the sealing portion 33 via the conduit portion 36, and a length from the bending point 34A to the second curve 16 and The insertion portion 34B and the extension portion 34C are formed to be bent at a bending angle θ13 at a bending point 34A.

  As a result, when the in-the-ear thermometer 20 is attached, the in-the-ear temperature measuring unit 37 is located on the second curve 16, so that it is possible to measure a temperature close to the eardrum 5 and close to the core temperature.

  The ear insertion type thermometer 20 measures the inner ear temperature by the inner ear temperature measurement unit 37 without the outer ear canal insertion part 34 coming into contact with the inner surface of the outer ear canal 4 when the temperature measuring main body 21 is attached to the ear 1. can do.

  Further, in the in-the-ear thermometer 20, the holding portion 32 is formed so as to fit into the concha cavity portion 2 </ b> A, so that the temperature measuring main body portion 21 can be held in the ear 1, and The rotation change and the position change of the main body 21 can be prevented.

  Accordingly, the temperature measuring main body 21 is held in the ear 1 in a double manner by the holding portion 32 and the sealing portion 33, so that even if it is worn on the ear 1 for a long time, it does not come off the ear 1. The internal temperature and external temperature can be measured continuously for a long time.

  Further, since the temperature measuring main body 21 can prevent the rotation change and the position change by the holding part 32, the position of the ear canal insertion part 34 is not shifted, and the ear canal insertion part 34 contacts the inner surface of the ear canal 4. It is possible to measure the temperature inside the ear and the outside temperature without giving the wearer a sense of discomfort or discomfort.

  According to the above configuration, the temperature of the ear canal 4 is measured by the temperature measuring unit 37 in the ear fixed to the tip of the ear canal insertion part 34 that is inserted into the ear canal 4, and the extension part 35 extending in the far direction from the pinna 2. By measuring the outside air temperature with the outside air temperature measuring unit 38 fixed to the tip of the outer ear, and supporting the ear canal insertion part 34 and the extension part 35 with the base part 31 and the holding part 32 as the fitting part 30, Ear internal temperature and external temperature can be easily measured for a long time.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiments, the case where the outer extension portion 35 is fixed to the base portion 31 as it is has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 15 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. You may make it provide the disk-shaped heat sink 101 which consists of a metal material with a high rate.

  As a result, the temperature measuring main body 100 allows the heat from the human body to be transferred to the outside by the heat radiating plate 101 even when heat from the human body is transferred from the base 31 to the extension 35 via the sealing part 33 or the holding part 32. It is possible to prevent heat from being transmitted to the outside temperature measuring unit 38.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 16 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 (C) are given the same reference numerals, the temperature detecting main body 110 has heat sinks 101 and 102 provided in series on the side surface of the outer extension 35. May be.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the bending angle θ13 is set to 105 degrees has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the extension portion 34C does not contact the inner surface of the ear canal 4. If present, the bending angle θ13 may be set between 85 degrees and 125 degrees.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the inclination angle θ12 is set to 20 degrees has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bending point 34A of the ear canal insertion portion 34 is the first curve 15. The inclination angle θ12 may be set between 0 degrees and 40 degrees.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the rotation angle θ11 is set to 34 degrees has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the extension portion 34C does not contact the inner surface of the ear canal 4. If there is, the rotation angle θ11 may be set between 14 degrees and 54 degrees.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the diameter of the ear canal insertion portion 34 is set to 3 [mm] has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the extension portion 34C is included in the ear canal 4. If it does not contact the surface, the diameter of the ear canal insertion section 34 may be set to 2 [mm] or 4 [mm], for example.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the length of the extension portion 34C is set to about 6 [mm] and the length of the insertion portion 34B is set to about 11 [mm] has been described. The invention is not limited to this, and may be set to other lengths such that the distal end of the extension portion 34C of the ear canal insertion portion 34 is positioned on the second curve 16.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the thermistor is used for the ear temperature measuring unit 37 and the outside temperature measuring unit 38 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a thermopile (thermocouple). Alternatively, an electronic sensor thermometer such as a semiconductor sensor may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the base portion 31 and the holding portion 32 are formed separately has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the base portion 31 and the holding portion 32 are integrally formed. You may make it.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the external auditory canal insertion portion 34 and the extension portion 35 are made of stainless steel has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any metal material having good thermal conductivity may be used. Further, a resin material integrated with the temperature sensor may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the ear canal insertion portion 34 is bent at the bending point 34A in advance at the bending angle θ13 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the temperature measurement main body portion 21 is connected to the ear. 1, the insertion portion 34 </ b> B and the extension portion 34 </ b> C only need to be bent at a bending angle θ <b> 13. Also good.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the ear of the present invention includes the ear canal insertion section 34 as the insertion section, the ear temperature measurement section 37 as the ear canal temperature measurement section, the extension section 35 as the extension section, and the fitting section 30 as the fitting section. Although the case where the in-ear insertion type thermometer 20 is configured as the internal insertion type thermometer has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the insertion unit, the external auditory canal temperature measurement unit, the extension unit, and the like having various other configurations, You may make it comprise the ear insertion type thermometer of this invention by a fitting part.

  The in-ear thermometer 20 of the present invention can be applied to the medical field, for example.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ear, 2 ... Pinna, 3 ... Pinna cartilage, 4 ... External auditory canal, 4A ... External ear canal entrance, 5 ... Tympanic membrane, 6 ... External ear canal cartilage, 7 ... Temporal bone, 8 Bone, 9 ... Kinuta bone, 10 ... Abumi bone, 11 ... Ear bone, 12 ... Vestibule, 13 ... Cochlea, 14 ... Internal carotid artery, 15 ... First curve, 16 ... Second curve, 20, 60 ... In-ear thermometer, 21 ... Temperature measuring body, 22 ... Transmission line, 23 ... Temperature measuring information processing part, 30 ... Fitting part, 31 ... Base part, 32 ... Holding part 33 …… Sealing portion 34 …… Ear ear canal insertion portion 34A …… Bending point 34B …… Insertion portion 34C …… Extension portion 35 …… Extension portion 36 …… Conduit portion 37 …… Inner ear Temperature measuring unit, 38 …… Outside air temperature measuring unit, 51 …… Control unit, 52 …… Display unit, 53 …… Storage unit, 54 …… Power supply unit, 55 …… Interface , 56 ...... input operation unit, .theta.1 ...... first curve angle, .theta.2 ...... second curve angle, [theta] 11 ...... rotation angle, [theta] 12 ...... inclination angle, .theta.13 ...... bending angle.

Claims (11)

An insertion part to be inserted into the ear canal,
An ear canal temperature measuring unit fixed to the insertion portion and measuring the temperature of the ear canal;
An extension extending in a direction away from the pinna,
An outside air temperature measuring unit that is fixed to the extension part and measures outside air temperature;
A support portion that supports the insertion portion and the extension portion, and is fitted to the auricle ,
The insertion part is
An insertion portion formed to a length at which a bending point as a tip is located on a first curve which is a first bent portion from the entrance in the ear canal; and a second bent portion from the entrance in the ear canal from the bending point The extension portion is formed to have a length up to the second curve and a thickness that does not contact the inner surface of the ear canal, and the insertion portion and the extension portion have a predetermined bend at the bending point. Bent at an angle,
The ear canal temperature measuring unit is fixed to a tip of the extension portion opposite to the bending point.
An in-ear thermometer characterized by that. The intraocular thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the external temperature measuring unit is arranged on an extension line of a temperature gradient of the ear canal. And at least one heat radiating plate that is in contact with the extended portion between the outside temperature measuring portion and the fitting portion and radiates heat conducted from the fitting portion to the outside temperature measuring portion. The in-the-ear thermometer according to claim 2. The in-ear insertion type thermometer according to claim 1 , further comprising: a sealing portion that is inserted and the sealing portion that seals the outer ear canal by being brought into contact with an inner surface near the entrance of the ear canal with a predetermined pressure. . The fitting portion is formed so as to fit into the concha cavity portion, and has a holding portion that holds the insertion portion in the ear canal.
The insertion portion protrudes from the holding portion so that the insertion portion has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a horizontal direction on a horizontal section of the ear canal when the intraaural thermometer is held by the auricle. Be set up
The in- the-ear thermometer according to claim 1 . The in-ear insertion type thermometer according to claim 1 , wherein the extension portion faces a direction rotated at a predetermined rotation angle with respect to a plane on which the inclination angle exists . The in-ear thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is made of a metal material or a resin material . The in-ear insertion type thermometer according to claim 4, wherein the sealing portion is made of an elastic material . The in-ear insertion type thermometer according to claim 1, wherein the bending angle is 85 degrees to 125 degrees . The in-ear insertion type thermometer according to claim 5, wherein the inclination angle is 0 to 40 degrees with respect to an insertion direction of the insertion part with respect to the holding part . The in-ear insertion type thermometer according to claim 6, wherein the rotation angle is 14 to 54 degrees with respect to a plane on which the tilt angle exists .

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