WO1990009570A1 - Body temperature monitor - Google Patents

Body temperature monitor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1990009570A1
WO1990009570A1 PCT/GB1990/000181 GB9000181W WO9009570A1 WO 1990009570 A1 WO1990009570 A1 WO 1990009570A1 GB 9000181 W GB9000181 W GB 9000181W WO 9009570 A1 WO9009570 A1 WO 9009570A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
body temperature
temperature
reference level
monitor
control unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1990/000181
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Clive Morris
Original Assignee
Clive Morris
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Clive Morris filed Critical Clive Morris
Publication of WO1990009570A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990009570A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K13/00—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
    • G01K13/20—Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a body temperature' monitor and more particularly to a device for monitoring the body temperature of a baby or of an elderly or other person, or of an animal and to give an alarm in the event of an abnormal body temperature being sensed.
  • a body temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor for attaching to the - body of a baby or other person or animal, and a control unit responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature exceeds a reference level, the control unit being adjustable to alter the reference level.
  • the reference level is normally set to a temperature perhaps 1°C above normal body temperature, say to 38°C for a baby or other human (normal body temperature being about 36.9°C). Then if the body temperature rises above this preset level the control unit gives out its alarm signal. The reference level is now set to a higher temperature, e.g 38.5°C. The monitor will now determine if the body temperature is continuing to rise,” according to whether in due course it gives out its alarm signal when set to 38.5°C. If the body temperature does exceed this level and activate the alarm, preferably the reference level can be set again to a yet higher temperature, e.g. 39°C to see if the body temperature is still continuing to rise. Thus in use of this monitor, those looking after the baby or other person or animal can respond if the body temperature continues to rise and take appropriate action particularly if the temperature rises above 38.5°C.
  • a body temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor for attaching to the body, and a control unit responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined level, which predetermined level is in the range 32.5 - 33.5°C.
  • this predetermined level is substantially 33° c for a baby or other human.
  • this monitor when e.g a baby goes to sleep its body temperature will fall, as we have discovered, from its usual level of 36.9°C to about 35.9°C.
  • the monitor will not however give out an alarm in response to this fall in temperature. What is important is if the body temperature falls below this sleeping temperature, and the monitor detects when the body temperature falls significantly further in order to give its alarm, because this fall in temperature may be an early indication of the onset of sudden infant death syndrome or of some other serious condition or simply that the baby has become uncovered and therefore uncomfortably cool.
  • FIGURE 1 is a view of a body temperature monitor in accordance with this invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is an end view of the control unit of the body temperature monitor of Figure 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the electronic control circuit of the monitor.
  • the monitor comprises a control unit 10, which in the example shown is in the form of a flat rectangular housing for example measuring 2 inches by 3 inches by inch.
  • the control unit houses a battery BAT to power the monitor and electronic circuitry EC ( Figure 3).
  • a temperature sensor 12 is coupled to the circuitry within the control unit by a flexible electrical lead 14.
  • the temperature sensor 12 comprises a thermistor and is applied to the body using a strip of adhesive tape 16 with a pad 18 of foam plastics or other heat-insulating material overlying the sensor 12.
  • the ⁇ temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 12 remains close to the skin temperature of the baby or other individual to which the sensor is attached.
  • the temperature sensor is attached to the lower back over the liver or kidneys, or under one arm, or at the back of the neck.
  • the control unit 10 includes a clip mounted oh its rear surface for clipping the unit to the baby's clothes or (in the case of other persons) to a belt around the waist.
  • the front panel of the control unit 10 has three light emitting diodes LEDl, LED2 and LED3. When the device is switched on, normally the centre diode LED2 (which is green) flashes intermittently.
  • the yellow diode LEDl comes on and an alarm buzzer B sounds intermittently. If on the other hand the sensed temperature rises above a reference level of 38°C, the red diode LED3 comes on and the buzzer 3 sounds intermittently.
  • the control unit 10 also houses three miniature push-button switches, actuators of which are accessible by inserting an implement through respective apertures in the end edge of the housing, indicated at 20, 22, 24.
  • the switch at position 20 is an on/off switch for turning the unit on when it is required for use and for switching it off again afterwards.
  • the other two switches are for selecting the upper reference level at which the alarm will respond.
  • the switch at 22 is operated to select a reference level of 33°C or NOT 38°C. If 38°C is selected, the unit will function as described above and providing its warning on LED3 and buzzer B if the sensed body temperature rises above 38°C.
  • the microswitch at position 24 may be operated to select a reference level of 38.5°C or 39°C. If a reference level of 38.5°C is selected, a further light emitting diode 26 is illuminated: if the sensed body temperature now rises to exceed 38.5°, then LED 3 will flash and the buzzer B will sound intermittently, as before. If instead a reference level of 39°C is selected, light emitting diode 28 is illuminated instead of diode 26: if now the sensed body temperature rises to exceed 39°C, LED 3 will flash and the buzzer B will sound intermittently.
  • the monitor which has been described can therefore be used in a simple and reliable way to determine whether the temperature of the baby or other individual or animal continues to rise after exceeding the first reference level of e.g. 38°C.
  • the unit gives out its alarm on the LED 3 and on the buzzer.
  • the parent or other person relying on the monitor can then reset it to the 38.5°C reference level and if the unit gives out its alarm again then this indicates that the temperature has continued to rise.
  • the user can reset the unit again to the 39°C reference level and if its gives out its alarm yet again this will indicate that the body temperature has ontinued to rise further.
  • the person looking after the baby can therefore take appropriate action in response to an indication that the body temperature is continuing to rise.
  • the monitor will again give out its alarm. However, this will not occur until the sensed temperature has dropped ⁇ to 33°C in the example being described, which makes appropriate allowance for the fact which we have discovered that body temperature drops quickly by about 1°C from its normal level when the baby goes to sleep, and also for the fact that the sensor detects skin temperature rather than core temperature of the body.
  • FIG. 3 shows diagram atically the electronic control circuit EC of the monitor, which is powered by the battery BAT and has connected to it the temperature sensor 12, the switches 20, 22 and 24, the light emitting diodes 26, 28, LEDl, LED2 and LED3, and the buzzer B.
  • control unit is provided with a further switch or push-button which serves to silence the buzzer when it goes off, e.g. to enable the unit to be reset without disturbing the baby etc.
  • the control unit may be provided with a visual display for indicating the actual temperature as sensed by the sensor 12.
  • the monitor has been described with the alarm incorporated in the control unit, instead there may be a separate alarm unit with the control unit including a transmitter which transmits a signal to the alarm unit to activate the latter when the sensed temperature rises above or falls below its preset threshold levels.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
  • Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A body temperature monitor comprises a temperature sensor (12) for attaching to the body of a baby or other person or animal, and a control unit (10) responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature exceeds a reference level. The control unit is adjustable to alter the reference level, so that it is possible to track whether the body temperature continues to rise. Also, an alarm signal is provided when the sensed temperature falls below a second reference level, which is in the range of 32.5°C to 33.5°C.

Description

Body temperature monitor.
This invention relates to a body temperature' monitor and more particularly to a device for monitoring the body temperature of a baby or of an elderly or other person, or of an animal and to give an alarm in the event of an abnormal body temperature being sensed.
As is well known, babies are prone to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or cot death. It has been proposed to monitor the baby's temperature and respond should the body temperature fall below normal body temperature by a predetermined amount. However it is also important to guard against the baby reaching an excessively high body temperature.
We have now devised a body temperature monitor which is particularly useful for protecting a baby or other person or an animal against reaching an excessively high body temperature.
In accordance with this invention, as seen from one aspect, there is provided a body temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor for attaching to the - body of a baby or other person or animal, and a control unit responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature exceeds a reference level, the control unit being adjustable to alter the reference level.
In use of this monitor, the reference level is normally set to a temperature perhaps 1°C above normal body temperature, say to 38°C for a baby or other human (normal body temperature being about 36.9°C). Then if the body temperature rises above this preset level the control unit gives out its alarm signal. The reference level is now set to a higher temperature, e.g 38.5°C. The monitor will now determine if the body temperature is continuing to rise," according to whether in due course it gives out its alarm signal when set to 38.5°C. If the body temperature does exceed this level and activate the alarm, preferably the reference level can be set again to a yet higher temperature, e.g. 39°C to see if the body temperature is still continuing to rise. Thus in use of this monitor, those looking after the baby or other person or animal can respond if the body temperature continues to rise and take appropriate action particularly if the temperature rises above 38.5°C.
Further we have now discovered that when e.g. a baby falls asleep, its body temperature falls quickly to a temperature significantly lower than that normal when the infant is awake. Typically the body temperature falls by about 1°C on falling asleep.
Therefore in accordance with this invention as seen from another aspect, there is provided a body temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor for attaching to the body, and a control unit responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined level, which predetermined level is in the range 32.5 - 33.5°C.
Preferably this predetermined level is substantially 33°c for a baby or other human.
Thus in use of this monitor, when e.g a baby goes to sleep its body temperature will fall, as we have discovered, from its usual level of 36.9°C to about 35.9°C. The monitor will not however give out an alarm in response to this fall in temperature. What is important is if the body temperature falls below this sleeping temperature, and the monitor detects when the body temperature falls significantly further in order to give its alarm, because this fall in temperature may be an early indication of the onset of sudden infant death syndrome or of some other serious condition or simply that the baby has become uncovered and therefore uncomfortably cool.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a view of a body temperature monitor in accordance with this invention;
FIGURE 2 is an end view of the control unit of the body temperature monitor of Figure 1; and
FIGURE 3 is a block diagram of the electronic control circuit of the monitor.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a body temperature monitor for attaching to a baby or other individual or to an animal to give protection against the body temperature rising or falling excessively. The monitor is particularly useful for monitoring animals when under anaesthetic during operations. The monitor comprises a control unit 10, which in the example shown is in the form of a flat rectangular housing for example measuring 2 inches by 3 inches by inch. The control unit houses a battery BAT to power the monitor and electronic circuitry EC (Figure 3). A temperature sensor 12 is coupled to the circuitry within the control unit by a flexible electrical lead 14. The temperature sensor 12 comprises a thermistor and is applied to the body using a strip of adhesive tape 16 with a pad 18 of foam plastics or other heat-insulating material overlying the sensor 12. Because of the heat-insulating properties of this pad, the^ temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 12 remains close to the skin temperature of the baby or other individual to which the sensor is attached. Preferably the temperature sensor is attached to the lower back over the liver or kidneys, or under one arm, or at the back of the neck. The control unit 10 includes a clip mounted oh its rear surface for clipping the unit to the baby's clothes or (in the case of other persons) to a belt around the waist. The front panel of the control unit 10 has three light emitting diodes LEDl, LED2 and LED3. When the device is switched on, normally the centre diode LED2 (which is green) flashes intermittently. If the sensed temperature falls below a reference level of substantially 34.9°C, the yellow diode LEDl comes on and an alarm buzzer B sounds intermittently. If on the other hand the sensed temperature rises above a reference level of 38°C, the red diode LED3 comes on and the buzzer 3 sounds intermittently.
The control unit 10 also houses three miniature push-button switches, actuators of which are accessible by inserting an implement through respective apertures in the end edge of the housing, indicated at 20, 22, 24. The switch at position 20 is an on/off switch for turning the unit on when it is required for use and for switching it off again afterwards. The other two switches are for selecting the upper reference level at which the alarm will respond. Thus the switch at 22 is operated to select a reference level of 33°C or NOT 38°C. If 38°C is selected, the unit will function as described above and providing its warning on LED3 and buzzer B if the sensed body temperature rises above 38°C. If s itch 22 is operated to select NOT 38oC/ then the microswitch at position 24 may be operated to select a reference level of 38.5°C or 39°C. If a reference level of 38.5°C is selected, a further light emitting diode 26 is illuminated: if the sensed body temperature now rises to exceed 38.5°, then LED 3 will flash and the buzzer B will sound intermittently, as before. If instead a reference level of 39°C is selected, light emitting diode 28 is illuminated instead of diode 26: if now the sensed body temperature rises to exceed 39°C, LED 3 will flash and the buzzer B will sound intermittently.
The monitor which has been described can therefore be used in a simple and reliable way to determine whether the temperature of the baby or other individual or animal continues to rise after exceeding the first reference level of e.g. 38°C. At this first reference level the unit gives out its alarm on the LED 3 and on the buzzer. The parent or other person relying on the monitor can then reset it to the 38.5°C reference level and if the unit gives out its alarm again then this indicates that the temperature has continued to rise. Then the user can reset the unit again to the 39°C reference level and if its gives out its alarm yet again this will indicate that the body temperature has ontinued to rise further. The person looking after the baby can therefore take appropriate action in response to an indication that the body temperature is continuing to rise.
If on the other hand the body temperature of the baby or other individual or animal drops excessively, the monitor will again give out its alarm. However, this will not occur until the sensed temperature has dropped ^to 33°C in the example being described, which makes appropriate allowance for the fact which we have discovered that body temperature drops quickly by about 1°C from its normal level when the baby goes to sleep, and also for the fact that the sensor detects skin temperature rather than core temperature of the body.
Figure 3 shows diagram atically the electronic control circuit EC of the monitor, which is powered by the battery BAT and has connected to it the temperature sensor 12, the switches 20, 22 and 24, the light emitting diodes 26, 28, LEDl, LED2 and LED3, and the buzzer B.
Preferably the control unit is provided with a further switch or push-button which serves to silence the buzzer when it goes off, e.g. to enable the unit to be reset without disturbing the baby etc.
The control unit may be provided with a visual display for indicating the actual temperature as sensed by the sensor 12.
Whilst the monitor has been described with the alarm incorporated in the control unit, instead there may be a separate alarm unit with the control unit including a transmitter which transmits a signal to the alarm unit to activate the latter when the sensed temperature rises above or falls below its preset threshold levels.

Claims

1) A body temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor for attaching to the body of a body or other person or animal, and a control unit responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature exceeds a reference level, the control unit being adjustable to alter the reference level.
2) A body temperature monitor as claimed in claim 1, in which the reference level is adjustable in steps.
3) A body temperature monitor as claimed in claim 2, in which the reference level may be set to substantially 38°, substantially 38.5°C or substantially 39°.
4) A body temperature monitor as claimed in claim 2 or 3, comprising at least one microswitch for use in altering said reference level, which microswitch is operated by inserting an implement through an aperture in a housing of the control unit.
5) A body temperature monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control unit is also responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature falls below a second reference level.
6) A body temperature monitor as claimed in claim 5, in which said second reference level is in the range 32.5°C to 33.5°C.
7) A body temperature monitor as claimed in claim 6, in which said second reference level is substantially 33°C. 8) A body temperature monitor as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a pad of heat insulating material to overlie the temperature sensor when applied to a body to be monitored.
9) A body temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor for attaching to the body, and a control unit responsive to the temperature sensor to provide an alarm signal when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined level, which predetermined level is in the ranσe 32.5°C to 33.5°C.
PCT/GB1990/000181 1989-02-07 1990-02-06 Body temperature monitor WO1990009570A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8902696.7 1989-02-07
GB898902696A GB8902696D0 (en) 1989-02-07 1989-02-07 Body temperature monitor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990009570A1 true WO1990009570A1 (en) 1990-08-23

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EP (1) EP0457785A1 (en)
GB (2) GB8902696D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1990009570A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0578638A4 (en) * 1991-04-01 1993-10-28 William C Mccormack Body temperature responsive transport warming blanket.
FR2737009A1 (en) * 1995-07-20 1997-01-24 Uzan Michele Henriette Electronic thermometer with radio-emitter for medical applications - has sensor in contact with patient skin and generating temperature signal processed by microprocessor and transmitted to radio-frequency emitter while radio receiver displays information
EP0790493A1 (en) * 1996-02-13 1997-08-20 Luigi Dattoli Device for preventing convulsive attacks
WO1997031249A1 (en) * 1996-02-21 1997-08-28 Peter Andersson A method of measuring the temperature of humans and animals
EP1081479A1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-07 Geratherm Medical AG Medical thermometer
WO2002084240A1 (en) * 2001-04-12 2002-10-24 Antonino Nostro Device for temperature and/or other human and animal physiological functions control
CN114366859A (en) * 2021-10-29 2022-04-19 首都医科大学宣武医院 Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and brain temperature automatic monitoring device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2329022A (en) * 1997-09-05 1999-03-10 Univ Portsmouth Enterprise Clothing mounted temperature sensor

Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4151831A (en) * 1976-11-15 1979-05-01 Safetime Monitors, Inc. Fertility indicator
GB1575426A (en) * 1976-12-27 1980-09-24 Camin Res Device for monitoring the vital signs of a patient
US4509531A (en) * 1982-07-28 1985-04-09 Teledyne Industries, Inc. Personal physiological monitor
JPS60149932A (en) * 1984-01-17 1985-08-07 Nec Corp Electronic thermometer with alarm
US4747413A (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-31 Bloch Harry S Infant temperature measuring apparatus and methods
GB2200998A (en) * 1987-02-04 1988-08-17 Fung Hsing Hsieh Electronic clinical thermometer with alarm

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4151831A (en) * 1976-11-15 1979-05-01 Safetime Monitors, Inc. Fertility indicator
GB1575426A (en) * 1976-12-27 1980-09-24 Camin Res Device for monitoring the vital signs of a patient
US4509531A (en) * 1982-07-28 1985-04-09 Teledyne Industries, Inc. Personal physiological monitor
JPS60149932A (en) * 1984-01-17 1985-08-07 Nec Corp Electronic thermometer with alarm
US4747413A (en) * 1986-11-07 1988-05-31 Bloch Harry S Infant temperature measuring apparatus and methods
GB2200998A (en) * 1987-02-04 1988-08-17 Fung Hsing Hsieh Electronic clinical thermometer with alarm

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACT OF JAPAN, Volume 9, No. 323 (P-414)(2046), 18 December 1985; & JP-A-60149932 (Nippon Denki K.K.) 7 August 1985 *

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0578638A4 (en) * 1991-04-01 1993-10-28 William C Mccormack Body temperature responsive transport warming blanket.
EP0578638A1 (en) * 1991-04-01 1994-01-19 McCORMACK, William, C. Body temperature responsive transport warming blanket
FR2737009A1 (en) * 1995-07-20 1997-01-24 Uzan Michele Henriette Electronic thermometer with radio-emitter for medical applications - has sensor in contact with patient skin and generating temperature signal processed by microprocessor and transmitted to radio-frequency emitter while radio receiver displays information
EP0790493A1 (en) * 1996-02-13 1997-08-20 Luigi Dattoli Device for preventing convulsive attacks
WO1997031249A1 (en) * 1996-02-21 1997-08-28 Peter Andersson A method of measuring the temperature of humans and animals
EP1081479A1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-07 Geratherm Medical AG Medical thermometer
DE19942089C1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-06-13 Geratherm Medical Ag Medical thermometer
US6351217B1 (en) 1999-09-03 2002-02-26 Geratherm Medical Ag Clinical thermometer
WO2002084240A1 (en) * 2001-04-12 2002-10-24 Antonino Nostro Device for temperature and/or other human and animal physiological functions control
CN114366859A (en) * 2021-10-29 2022-04-19 首都医科大学宣武医院 Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and brain temperature automatic monitoring device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8902696D0 (en) 1989-03-30
GB9119006D0 (en) 1991-11-27
GB2251074A (en) 1992-06-24
EP0457785A1 (en) 1991-11-27

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