Core Body Temperature Estimation Using Thermal Conducting Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body temperature measurement techniques using mobile devices, such as wearable devices, face challenges in accurately estimating core body temperature due to differences between skin temperature and core body temperature, which are influenced by ambient temperature and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a heat flow sensor, a pair of thermistors positioned under and above a thermal conducting material, and a processor to calibrate heat flux measurements, obtaining a second heat flux by combining first and third heat fluxes, and estimating core body temperature using a predefined model, with the thermal conducting material acting as an insulator to minimize external temperature effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional temperature sensors are used to measure body temperature, then the measurement can be obtained, but the accuracy is reduced due to the difference between skin temperature and core body temperature influenced by ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal conducting material as an intermediary between the skin surface and the temperature sensor. This intermediary conducts heat from the skin to the sensor while being thermally isolated from the ambient environment, thereby mediating the measurement process to reduce ambient temperature influence and improve accuracy of core body temperature estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the temperature measurement system into distinct thermal zones: the skin surface area, the thermal conducting material layer, and the sensor area. By segmenting the measurement path and thermally isolating each segment, the system can measure temperature gradient and estimate core body temperature more accurately while reducing ambient temperature interference
2Measurement precision
If thermal conducting material is introduced to reduce ambient temperature influence, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal conducting material with the sensor substrate into an integrated structure. The thermal conducting material is formed as a layer directly on the sensor, combining the thermal conduction function with the sensor support structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin film of thermal conducting material that is flexible and can be conformally deposited on the sensor surface. This thin film approach adds minimal structural complexity while providing effective thermal conduction from the skin to the sensor and isolating the sensor from ambient temperature
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of core body temperature estimation by calibrating heat flux measurements, reducing the impact of ambient temperature and environmental conditions, thereby providing a more reliable measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a heat flow sensor configured to measure a first heat flux from an object
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor positioned under a thermal conducting material and configured to measure a surface temperature of the object; a second temperature sensor positioned above the thermal conducting material and configured to measure a surface temperature of the thermal conducting material
Implementation Method 3
The first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor may be a pair of thermistors
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for estimating a core body temperature of an object is provided. The apparatus may include a heat flow sensor configured to measure a first heat flux from an object, a first temperature sensor positioned under a thermal conducting material and configured to measure a surface temperature of the object, a second temperature sensor positioned above the thermal conducting material and configured to measure a surface temperature of the thermal conducting material, and a processor configured to obtain a second heat flux by calibrating the first heat flux based on the surface temperature of the object and the surface temperature of the thermal conducting material, and configured to estimate a core body temperature of the object based on the obtained second heat flux and the surface temperature of the object.