Thermal measuring and testing – Temperature measurement – In spaced noncontact relationship to specimen
Patent
1998-05-18
2000-11-21
Bennett, G. Bradley
Thermal measuring and testing
Temperature measurement
In spaced noncontact relationship to specimen
374158, 374209, 374130, 340541, 3408154, 340584, G01K 108, G01J 502, G08B 500, G08B 2100, G08B 310
Patent
active
061492973
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an infrared radiation thermometer, in particular a tympanic thermometer, in which a sensor detecting infrared radiation and having an electronic evaluation circuitry associated therewith is arranged in a housing having a radiation inlet, in which for temperature measurement the radiation inlet is covered with a detachable probe cover sufficiently transparent to infrared radiation, and in which the absence of a probe cover is detected by a sensor issuing a warning signal after the thermometer is switched on.
2. The State of the Art
Infrared radiation thermometers of the type initially referred to are used for measuring body temperature in both a domestic and a medical environment. Typically, such a radiation thermometer includes a housing with a window admitting radiation, an optical waveguide or an optical power collecting arrangement, and an infrared sensor which is connected to an electronic evaluation unit. The IR window serves the function of closing off the interior of the housing of the radiation thermometer, thereby protecting the optical components and the infrared sensor from contamination and irreparable damage.
In order to prevent in particular the transmission of diseases due to failure to maintain sanitary conditions, it has become common practice to fit a probe cover over the IR window which comprises a window section fixedly connected to the infrared optic system, thus preventing the entry of contaminants. This enables ready replacement of the probe cover which is advantageously a deep-drawn component transmitting infrared radiation well and having a very thin area for the passage of light as, for example, in the form of a film or a film-type section.
In order to prevent the measurements referred to in the foregoing from being performed without a probe cover installed, known tympanic thermometers have been equipped with an evaluation unit detecting, for example, the absence of a probe cover and indicating such absence on an indicating device. Thus, for example, an infrared radiation thermometer is known from EP-A-0 565 123 in which a measurement without the probe cover installed cannot be performed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Proceeding from the prior art described, it is an object of the present invention to indicate an infrared radiation thermometer of the type initially referred to, which alerts an operator to an impending faulty operation of the instrument prior to its use.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
On the basis of the infrared radiation thermometer initially described, this object is accomplished by the features of the invention. If no probe cover is mounted on the thermometer, the temperature is still measured, but in conjunction with the issuance of a warning signal indicating the need to clean the instrument. In this manner, an operator is made aware of the fact that the infrared thermometer was previously used either without a probe cover or with a used probe cover and that it needs to be cleaned before further measurements are taken. The user is thereby informed of the risk of erroneous readings due to potentially contaminated optical components or reuse of a used probe cover, however, this requires the instrument to have detected that the measurement lies within the range of the body temperature which is only possible if the radiation inlet is introduced into an ear canal.
By means of a switching device actuated by the probe cover, the instrument detects whether or not a probe cover was installed during this measurement, and if so, it checks during the next measurement whether the switching device was again actuated by a replaced probe cover. If it is established that the switching device was not actuated again during the second measurement, the instrument knows that the probe cover was not replaced, hence that the previously used probe cover is to be used again. If the switching device is not actuated at all, the instrument knows that no probe cover was fitted over it. In either event,
REFERENCES:
patent: 5169235 (1992-12-01), Tominaga et al.
patent: 5340215 (1994-08-01), Makita et al.
patent: 5411032 (1995-05-01), Essett et al.
patent: 5487607 (1996-01-01), Makita et al.
Beerwerth Frank
Bultges Heinz
Jestadt Albrecht
Bennett G. Bradley
Braun GmbH
Verbitsky G.
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