Sticking-Type Core Body Thermometer With Differential Temperature Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional core body thermometers do not accurately account for variations in heat transfer due to blood flow and sweating, leading to deviations in measured core body temperature from the actual value.
Innovation Solution
A sticking-type core body thermometer that includes a thermal resistor with a first temperature detection unit and a correction value acquisition unit, which uses a differential value between the detected temperature and a reference temperature to correct the measurement, improving accuracy by considering physiological responses such as thermoregulation by sweat and blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional core body thermometer is placed on the body surface to measure temperature, then the measurement structure is simple, but the measurement accuracy deviates from actual core body temperature due to unaccounted heat transfer variations from blood flow and sweating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement function into multiple independent temperature sensors positioned at different locations (first temperature sensor on the body surface, second temperature sensor on the opposite surface, third temperature sensor for ambient temperature). This segmentation allows each sensor to capture specific thermal information, which is then processed through correction calculations to achieve accurate core body temperature measurement while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensor readings are continuously fed into a correction calculation process. The correction value is computed based on the differential between measured temperatures and reference values, then applied to adjust the core body temperature estimation. This feedback loop compensates for heat transfer variations caused by blood flow and sweating, improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex hardware changes.
2Ease of manufacture
If the thermometer structure is simplified to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to account for physiological responses like sweat evaporation and blood flow heat transfer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing correction values that adjust temperature readings based on physiological conditions. Instead of changing the physical structure to account for blood flow and sweat evaporation, the system modifies the temperature parameters through mathematical correction. The correction value is calculated using the differential between measured temperatures and reference temperatures, then applied to obtain accurate core body temperature. This approach maintains simple manufacturing while improving measurement accuracy through parameter adjustment rather than structural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors and correction mechanisms are added to improve measurement accuracy, then core body temperature precision increases, but the device complexity and calculation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the correction calculation framework and reference temperature values before actual measurement. The correction formula is predetermined based on the relationship between body surface temperature, ambient temperature, and core body temperature. During measurement, only the temperature sensors need to collect data, and the pre-established correction mechanism automatically adjusts the readings. This approach reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
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 thermometer achieves high accuracy in measuring core body temperature by adjusting for temperature changes caused by heat radiation and sweat evaporation, ensuring consistency with the actual core body temperature through simple calculations.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal resistor having a predetermined thermal resistance; a first temperature detection unit that is disposed on one-surface side of the thermal resistor and that detects a first temperature of a sticking surface side
Implementation Method 2
a correction value acquisition unit that obtains a first correction value that is a correction value used to correct the first temperature, in accordance with a first differential value that is a differential value between the first temperature and a reference temperature set to a temperature higher than the first temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A calculation processing unit of a sticking-type core body thermometer includes a correction value acquisition unit and a core body temperature acquisition unit. The correction value acquisition unit obtains a first correction value used to correct a first temperature, in accordance with a first differential value between a reference temperature set in advance according to a maximum limit body temperature and the first temperature on a sticking surface side of a first thermal resistor, and obtains a second correction value that is a correction value used to correct the first temperature, in accordance with a second differential value between the first temperature and a second temperature on a back surface side of the first thermal resistor. The core body temperature acquisition unit obtains a core body temperature by correcting the first temperature by using the first correction value and the second correction value.