Ocular Surface Temperature Tracking for Continuous Core Body Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for continuous core body temperature monitoring are impractical due to variability among different body organs, discomfort, and environmental interference, limiting their effectiveness in accurately tracking core body temperature over extended periods.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus and method using temperature sensors on the ocular surface to measure temperature at multiple time instants, adjusting for blink patterns and ambient conditions, and employing a mathematical model to estimate core body temperature.
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 uncomfortable and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical temperature sensing (adhesive patches on skin) with optical sensing through the eye. The optical sensor detects temperature-related optical properties of ocular tissues without physical contact, eliminating the discomfort of prolonged adhesive wear while enabling continuous monitoring.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If skin temperature sensors are integrated into wearable devices, then continuous temperature measurement is possible, but environmental variations and unreliable skin contact reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes contact-based skin temperature sensors with non-contact optical sensing through the eye. This eliminates the problems of unreliable skin contact and environmental interference, as the ocular surface provides a stable, protected measurement site that is less susceptible to external temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the ocular surface (eye) as an intermediary measurement site that reflects core body temperature. The eye serves as a protected interface between the external environment and internal body temperature, providing a stable optical window for temperature sensing without direct exposure to environmental variations.
3Measurement precision
If surrogate site temperature measurement is used (rectum, axilla, tympanic membrane), then core body temperature can be estimated, but these methods are impractical for continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive or impractical surrogate site measurements (rectal, axillary, or tympanic probes) with non-invasive optical sensing through the eye. This maintains the ability to estimate core body temperature while enabling continuous, comfortable monitoring without the practical limitations of traditional methods.
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
Enables continuous, accurate, and non-invasive core body temperature tracking, overcoming environmental and user-specific variations, and providing valuable health insights.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a temperature of at least one point on an ocular surface of the user's eye
Implementation Method 2
measuring a temperature of at least one point on an ocular surface of the user's eye
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tracking a core body temperature of a user using an optical apparatus. The method includes 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, wherein said measuring is performed using at least one temperature sensor, and wherein the at least one point lies within a sensing area 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.