Ocular Surface Temperature Sensing for Continuous Core Body Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for continuously monitoring core body temperature are inefficient and inaccurate, particularly in wearable devices, and there is a need for devices capable of measuring core body temperature accurately and continuously over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for tracking core body temperature using an optical apparatus, comprising: measuring a temperature of at least one point on an ocular surface of the user's eye, and estimating the core body temperature of the user's eye, and estimating the core body temperature of the user's eye, and estimating the core body temperature of the user's eye, and estimating the core body temperature of the user at the plurality of time instants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If adhesive patches are used to measure axillary temperature for continuous monitoring, then continuous temperature tracking is enabled, but prolonged use becomes undesirable due to discomfort and practical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from adhesive patches and relocates it to the eye region, specifically measuring temperature at the inner canthus or sclera. This removes the need for prolonged adhesive application while maintaining continuous monitoring capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between monitoring duration and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the eye's ocular surface as an intermediary measurement site that provides indirect access to core body temperature information. By measuring temperature at this intermediate location rather than directly at axillary or rectal sites, the system achieves continuous monitoring without the discomfort of adhesive patches.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If skin temperature sensors are integrated into eyeglasses for CBT estimation, then non-invasive continuous monitoring is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to unreliable skin contact and environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific localized region on the eye (inner canthus or sclera) that has distinct thermal properties more closely tied to core body temperature. This localized measurement approach improves precision compared to general skin temperature sensing on the face or forehead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based skin temperature sensors with optical or near-contact temperature sensing at the eye surface. This substitution reduces the impact of environmental variations and contact reliability issues while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If surrogate site temperature measurements (rectum, axilla, tympanic membrane, sublingual region) are used to estimate CBT, then CBT estimation is achieved, but continuous monitoring becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature measurement function from traditional surrogate sites (rectum, axilla, tympanic membrane, sublingual region) and relocates it to the eye surface. This extraction enables continuous monitoring by removing the practical limitations associated with prolonged use of traditional measurement sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the eye temperature measurement system universal by designing it to provide both accurate CBT estimation and continuous monitoring capability simultaneously. The ocular surface serves as a multi-functional measurement site that combines the advantages of traditional surrogate sites with the feasibility for prolonged use.
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 method and apparatus effectively and continuously track the core body temperature of the user effectively and continuously for the time period.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a temperature of at least one point on an ocular surface of the user's eye, at a plurality of time instants during a time period
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for tracking a core body temperature of a user using an optical apparatus (200). The method comprising measuring a temperature of at least one point (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) on an ocular surface of the user's eye, at a plurality of time instants during a time period, wherein said measuring is performed using at least one temperature sensor (204A, 204B, 302), and wherein the at least one point lies within a sensing area (304) of the at least one temperature sensor; and estimating the core body temperature of the user at the plurality of time instants, based on the measured temperature of the at least one point at the plurality of time instants.