Temporal thermometer disposable cap

Abstract

A disposable cap for a body temperature detector includes a body having a viewing end and a retaining end. The retaining end includes an inward protrusion that expands over a wider portion of an end of the detector and contracts after the retaining end has passed over the wider portion to snugly secure the cap on the detector. The cap further includes a flange with an aperture therethrough adjacent the viewing end to permit a radiation sensor of the detector to view a target surface. Preferably, the cap is sufficiently large so as to not be insertable into an ear of a human. The cap is formed from a sheet of material, preferably by thermoforming, from a material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or other similar material which has relatively low hardness and low thermal conductivity properties. The cap has a generally uniform thickness of about 0.020 inch.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 957,642, filed Sep. 20, 2001, which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09 / 448,909, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,206, the entire teachings of each application being incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In recent years, infrared thermometers have come into wide use for detection of temperature of adults. For core temperature readings, infrared thermometers which are adapted to be inserted into the patient's ear have been very successful. Early infrared thermometers were adapted to extend into the ear canal in order to view the tympanic membrane and provide an uncorrected, direct reading of tympanic temperature which correlates with pulmonary artery temperature. More recently, however, to provide for greater comfort and ease of use, ear thermometers have been designed to provide corrected readings of the generally coo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] The length of the cap can vary in different embodiments. The cap should prevent contact by the hair and ear of the person whose temperature is being detected. In one embodiment, the length of the cap is at least about 0.375 inch, for use with infant temperature detection. In another embodiment, the length of the cap is at least about 0.75 inch, for use with adult temperature detection.

[0022] A method of detecting human body temperature is provided which includes the steps of providing a temperature detector which includes a metal end, such as stainless steel or other suitable material, which is positioned adjacent the body during temperature detection. Substantially all of the end of the detector likely to contact the body is covered with a disposable cap. The end of the detector is moved across the skin of the body to detect the body temperature, the detector being moved at the rate of about 1 inch / second, wherein the cap cools the surface of the skin by less than about 0.2° Fahrenheit. This helps insure a reliable temperature reading.

Problems solved by technology

This can result in a large temperature change at the artery which is a local artifact only and not representative of core temperature.

But the carotids, even the external carotid, are at best partially embedded, and at worst completely embedded in the skull, and therefore are not accessible at the skin.

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