TW201135201A - An infrared thermometer, particularly for clinical use - Google Patents

Abstract

An infrared thermometer, particularly for clinical use, comprises an infrared acquisition and infrared radiation capture circuit, with a sensor which can detect the infrared emission of an infrared radiation source at a distance and an enabling circuit connected to the sensing circuit to select and/or activate a function of the latter when the distance of the sensor from said source is less than or equal to a predetermined value; the enabling circuit comprises a capacitive proximity switch with at least one control electrode sensitive to variations of the capacitive field in its environment.

Description

201135201 VI. Description of the invention: [Technical field to which the invention pertains] The present invention relates to a thermometer, and the main purpose of the main i 1 is to perform a remote clinical measurement of skin temperature. [Prior Art] Such thermometers have been widely used to measure the skin temperature in the vicinity of the artery (ah). These thermometers must essentially be placed in contact with the area of the skin to be tested, as otherwise the measurement will be extremely inaccurate. This is because the measurement is affected by errors, especially caused by the distance between the sensor and the patient's skin. Since these thermometers are used in pediatrics, it is best not to be in direct contact with the surface of the skin, as such contact would make it difficult, for example, to measure the body temperature of the patient without awakening him. . For this reason, it has developed a thermometer that provides a reasonably reliable measurement when the sensor maintains an appropriate distance from the patient's skin. These body temperature leaves - (4) are described in US 6196714' where a convergent light source is used to determine the precise positioning of the sensor relative to the surface of the patient's skin. However, the use of such a light source has a number of disadvantages, including the possibility of sudden awakening - a patient in sleep, and the potential harmful effects on the pupil if subjected to a sudden impact of a high degree of light. In addition, if the light source used Without providing a sufficiently cold light, the intensity of the light radiation concentrated at one point may cause a change in the measured temperature. Field EP2045 590 discloses an infrared thermometer for remote measurement, with a measurement enabling circuit, If the distance between the source and the sensor is less than 1 to 201135201, the temperature measurement is enabled. The measurement is achieved by an external transmitter and an infrared receiver. At the same time, the measurement is also affected. DE20 2004 003021U proposes an ear thermometer i = which is selected from one of the probes selected (including the capacitive probe) The needle corrects the reading of a thermal probe to take into account the geometry of the ear canal and/or the depth of penetration of the probe. However, the method must be used in conjunction with an ear thermometer inserted into the ear canal. It requires invasive action's, so it is obviously not suitable for remote measurement. The document also proposes to measure between the electrodes present in the probe itself, and because of the distance between the electrodes. The present invention is directed to an infrared thermometer that is structurally and functionally designed to overcome all of the aforementioned disadvantages of the cited prior art. The problem is solved by the present invention by an infrared thermometer as defined in the scope of the appended claims. [Embodiment] The features and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are non-exclusive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detailed description is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an integral infrared thermometer, which comprises a casing 2 containing a Infrared radiation capture circuit 3 and a sensor 4 and a waveguide 5. The sensor 4 and the waveguide 5 have conventional structures and functions 'such as Said in US 20062 15728 (A1), and using 201135201 to capture infrared radiation emitted by an infrared radiation source such as a diseased string of virtual γ λ loyal skin (mainly located in the forehead area where the radial artery is located) Provide a quantity of temperature. Di, _ (_ ',, this temperature measurement is greatly affected by the distance between the radiation source and the sensor. In order to ensure a fixed between the source and the sensor 4 4L The known distance 'the providing_ enabling circuit 6 is connected to the above-described infrared light-light capturing circuit 3' to select when the distance of the sensor 4 from the source is equal to (or, if necessary, less than) a predetermined value And/or initiating one of the latter functions. According to the invention, the enabling circuit comprises a capacitive proximity switch 7 having one or more control electrodes 8 sensitive to variations in the capacitive field of its environment. . The electrode 8 is connected to the enabling circuit 6 by a conductor (not shown) and is located above the outer casing 2 on the side of the sensor 4. Since the disturbing system of the dielectric (air) near the electrode 8 is determined as a function of the distance between the electrode and the body, for example, in this case, the distance from the patient's forehead, when the electrode 8 approaches the skin In such a manner that the distance between the sensor 4 and the skin is the correct temperature measurement, a signal is provided in accordance with the method k to enable temperature measurement. When the distance is such that the capacitive field in the surrounding environment of the electrode is disturbed to a predetermined threshold level, the δHau Valley proximity switch is triggered, thereby enabling the enabling circuit, which in turn can issue a The visual or auditory enable signal, or the sensing circuit can be activated directly to accept a predetermined temperature measurement. The present invention thus achieves the stated objectives while also having many advantages over the prior art. These advantages include that the present invention allows the sensor to be positioned correctly and repetitively with respect to the skin without any contact with the patient, 6 201135201 and in particular does not emit a signal that may interfere with the patient's rest or with an ongoing amount Measure interactions and change their results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an infrared thermometer according to the present invention. [Main component symbol description] 1 Infrared thermometer 2 Shell 3 Infrared wheel capture circuit 4 Sensor 5 Waveguide 6 Enable circuit 7 Capacitive proximity switch 8 · Control electrode 7

Claims (1)

201135201 VII. Patent application scope: 1. An infrared thermometer (1), especially for clinical use, comprising an infrared couch and infrared radiation capture circuit (3), having a sensor (4) capable of Detecting an infrared radiation source of infrared radiation source at a distance, and a matching energy circuit (6) connected to the sensor (4) to be less than a distance from the source of the 3 hai sensor (4) Selecting and/or activating one of the latter functions when equal to a predetermined value, characterized in that the enabling circuit (6) comprises a capacitive proximity switch (7) 'which is sensitive to variations in the capacitive field in its environment At least one control electrode (8) for emitting a signal consistent with the sensing circuit when the distance between the control electrode (8) and the source is less than or equal to the predetermined value. 2. An infrared thermometer according to the scope of the patent application, wherein the electrode (8) and the sensor (4) are located on the same side of the thermometer. 3. The infrared thermometer according to the scope of claims 2 and 2, comprising a casing (2) forming a handle at a remote position relative to the sensor (sentence and the electrode (8)). Eight, the pattern: (such as the next page) 8