Ear Thermometer Dual-Seal Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ear thermometers face challenges in accurately measuring core body temperature, especially in hypothermic patients, due to environmental influences such as cold temperatures, and have complex handling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An ear thermometer design featuring a dual-seal system that thermally isolates the auditory canal and the area around the auricle, including the mastoid, using a cover with a temperature measuring device that creates a microclimate independent of external influences, ensuring accurate temperature measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the ear thermometer is used in cold environmental conditions, then the measurement speed remains fast, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to external temperature influences on the ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The ear thermometer system is divided into two functional segments: a disposable probe that provides thermal insulation and sealing of the ear canal, and a reusable measurement device. The probe acts as an independent insulating barrier that can be quickly attached and discarded, maintaining measurement accuracy without compromising measurement speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe serves as an intermediary element between the external cold environment and the ear canal. It creates a thermal barrier using insulating materials (air gap, foam, or plastic) and forms a seal to prevent cold air contact, thereby mediating the thermal influence on the measurement process.
2Measurement precision
If thermal insulation measures are implemented to protect the ear canal, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex thermal insulation function is segmented into a separate disposable probe rather than being integrated into the main measurement device. This allows the insulation mechanism to be simple and replaceable, reducing the complexity of the permanent device while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is designed as a disposable, low-cost component that provides all the complex thermal insulation and sealing functions. After use, it is discarded rather than cleaned or maintained, simplifying the overall system management and reducing the complexity of the reusable measurement device.
3Measurement precision
If the ear canal is thermally insulated from the outside, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex handling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The probe combines multiple functions (thermal insulation, ear canal sealing, and position indication) into a single integrated component. This merging of functions simplifies the operation sequence - the user only needs to insert the probe, which automatically performs all insulation and sealing actions without requiring separate steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is designed to be self-positioning and self-sealing. Once inserted, it automatically forms the seal and establishes the insulating barrier without requiring precise manual adjustment by the operator, making the procedure intuitive and easy to perform correctly on first attempt.
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
The dual-seal system minimizes external temperature effects, providing accurate temperature measurements with high precision and ease of use, suitable for a wide temperature range and adverse weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a cover (43) designed to close an area around an auricle (5a) of the ear, and in particular also a mastoid, with the temperature measuring device (44) being coupled to the cover (43) in such a way that the cover (43) contains the temperature measuring device (44) in a defined position in the auditory canal of the ear
Implementation Method 2
Ear thermometers are generally known which have an infrared sensor and measure infrared radiation emitted from an eardrum of a patient's ear, thereby determining a patient's body temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an ear thermometer comprising: a temperature measuring device (4, 44) designed to measure a temperature inside the ear canal of a patient's ear (5) and having a sealing area (10) designed to close the ear canal of the ear (5), and a cover (3, 23, 43) designed to close an area around the auricle (5a) of the ear (5), and in particular also the mastoid, wherein the temperature measuring device (4, 44) is coupled to the cover (3, 23, 43) in such a way that the cover (3, 23, 43) holds the temperature measuring device (4) in a defined position in the ear canal of the ear (5).