JPH0690909A - Bodily temperature monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the bodily temp. monitor which has a structure for fixing a head which can be stably mounted to the external auditory meatus and has good responsivenss with the fluctuation in the temp. of the eardrum. CONSTITUTION:This bodily temp. monitor has at least a probe head provided at one end of arc-shaped head fixing members 17, 18 having elasticity, a bodily temp. sensor 11 arranged within the probe head and a probe 13 for energizing the probe head in an insertion direction along the external auditory meatus.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body temperature monitor utilizing heat radiation, which is used for temperature measurement of an eardrum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an attempt to measure a body temperature by a non-contact sensor, a trademark "Firs" of US Intelligent Medical Systems, such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-117422.
"T Temp" and other clinical thermometers have been commercialized, making it possible to measure the temperature of the eardrum. This eardrum temperature was not easily affected by the ambient temperature, and since it reflected the hypothalamic temperature (brain temperature), which is the temperature center of the living body, it has been receiving attention from an early stage, but there is a risk that the sensor will damage the eardrum in the contact type temperature measurement. If so, it was not generally practiced. A system that can measure an eardrum temperature suitable as a body temperature without the risk of eardrum damage can measure temperature in a short time, which is another advantage of radiation temperature measurement, and is 1 minute to 1 minute. The object to be measured is released from the troublesomeness of the contact-type temperature measurement that requires a longer temperature measurement time. Here, the short time indicates about several seconds or less. Further, the temperature measurement here refers to a series of operations for reading the body temperature as a certain representative value, and does not refer to continuous measurement of the body temperature.

However, the conventional non-contact type eardrum thermometer utilizing radiation has an accuracy of ± 0.
In order to ensure 1 to 0.2 (° C.), a system that forces the probe to be removed from the ear canal has been adopted for the purpose of performing calibration at each temperature measurement.

The configuration of such an apparatus has a problem that the calibration is performed every time the temperature is measured, and therefore the operation is complicated and the temperature cannot be measured in a short time.

Further, for the convenience of such a measuring system, once the probe is inserted into the ear canal and one temperature measurement is completed, the eardrum temperature is continuously measured unless the probe is once removed from the ear canal and a predetermined reset operation is performed. There was a problem that it could not be measured.

Further, in the configuration of such a device, even when intermittent measurement is performed at a certain measurement interval and the body temperature is monitored in a pseudo continuous manner, not only the measurement cannot be automated but also the probe cannot be worn stably. was there.

[0007] The body temperature monitor is not only for the purpose of confirming the presence or absence of a disease and knowing the recovery after the disease as in general thermometry, but also for clinical purposes such as monitoring the anesthesia state during and after the operation and for the circadian rhythm of the body temperature. It can be used for physiological purposes such as research, so it has a wide range of applications. Here, the body temperature monitor is a system capable of automatically measuring a continuous body temperature and displaying or recording it as a real-time and / or time-series signal, and storing or storing measured data once and then displaying or recording it as a time-series signal. Refers to. Further, the display here means displaying a digital value or a graph in a rewritable form by an LCD, a CRT or the like, and recording means printing or recording the graph in a form such as a hard copy. Meaning and storage means that the digital value as the measurement result is temporarily stored in a medium such as a floppy disk or an IC card.

Further, the body temperature monitor utilizing infrared rays can measure with a delay of 1 second or less even for a rapid temperature change during hypothermic anesthesia due to the short thermal response time constant of the infrared sensor. Here, the abrupt temperature change during hypothermic anesthesia refers to around 1 ° C./min.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and is provided with a headphone structure which can be stably worn on the ear canal.
An object of the present invention is to provide a body temperature monitor having good responsiveness to changes in eardrum temperature.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

In order to achieve the above object, the body temperature monitor of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it has a probe head provided on at least one end of an arc-shaped head fixing member having elasticity, and a body temperature sensor arranged in the probe head, and the probe head is inserted in the insertion direction along the ear canal. It is equipped with a probe for urging.

Furthermore, in the probe in which the probe heads are provided at both ends of the head fixing member of the present invention, one of the parts of the pair of probe heads into which the ear canal is inserted is an actual machine equipped with a body temperature sensor. It is a simulated product, and is further characterized in that the weights of the actual machine and the simulated product are substantially equal.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing the general shape of a probe of a body temperature monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the probe of the body temperature monitor of this embodiment is an arc-shaped leaf spring 1 for connecting in a headphone shape.
7, 18 and probe heads 10 provided at both ends thereof
-1, 10-2, both of which are connected by a connecting pin 19. Then, the probe heads 10-1, 10
-2 consists of: Reference numeral 11 is a thermal infrared sensor such as a thermopile or bolometer, 12 is a signal line from the sensor 11, 13 is a probe that holds the sensor 11 and can be inserted along the ear canal so that the infrared sensor 11 faces the eardrum. The head tip portion 14 is a back cover of the probe head and has a hole for guiding the signal line 12 from the sensor 11 to the outside of the probe head. With such a structure, it is possible to have a degree of freedom for rotating the probe head tip portion 13 so that the probe head tip portion 13 can be inserted along the ear canal. The connecting pin 19 also serves as a catch tack for mounting a probe cover (not shown) for preventing infection via the probe head tip portion 13. Also, the arc-shaped leaf springs 17,
Reference numeral 18 has a structure capable of sliding with respect to each other by slide guides 20 and 21, and the total length of the arc-shaped leaf springs 17 and 18 can be changed to an appropriate length.

Further, the probe head tip portion 13 can be worn stably by sandwiching both ears by the arcuate leaf springs 17 and 18. However, the probe head tip portion 13 strongly touches the ear canal and the subject feels pain. Earpiece made of flexible material such as urethane foam
6 is provided so as to be located on the outer peripheral portion of the probe head tip portion 13. The ear pad 16 is joined to an ear pad frame 15 made of a hard material, and the ear pad frame 15 and the probe head back cover 14 are semi-fixed to each other with screws.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the headphone-shaped probe shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the ear canal. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the ear tip 16 with the probe head tip portion 13 inserted in the ear canal is used.
Positioned on the auricle 32 by the arcuate leaf spring 1
The structure is such that both ears are sandwiched by 7,18.

By adopting such a configuration, the headphone type probe of the body temperature monitor of the eardrum including the external ear canal can be stably worn in conformity with the external ear canal and the field of view of the infrared sensor 11 is fixed, so that the body temperature can be stably maintained. Will be able to monitor.

In the probe embodiment of FIG. 1, two probe head tips 13 are provided with infrared sensors 11 so that the body temperature of the eardrum including the external auditory meatus of both ears can be monitored. . Bilateral monitoring of tympanic temperature, which shares blood flow with the hypothalamus, may be insufficient in clinical practice because unilateral monitoring of cerebral circulation may be insufficient in the sense of cerebral circulatory failure during surgery. Then it is useful. In this case, the infrared sensors 11 on both sides are
It is preferable to use the sensors of the same lot having the same characteristics to reduce the measurement error due to the difference in the characteristics of the sensors on both sides.

Of course, in the embodiment of the probe shown in FIG. 2, only one of the two probe heads is provided with one probe head tip portion 13 and one infrared sensor 11, and the remaining one probe head is provided. The probe head of (1) causes the other probe head including the infrared sensor to function as a balancer for fixing the probe to both ears.

FIG. 3 shows a probe of a body temperature monitor.
Infrared sensor 11 detects infrared radiation from the eardrum including the ear canal.
Yet another embodiment of the configuration including an optical system for leading up to FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 23 denotes a light guide for guiding infrared radiation from the eardrum 30 including the ear canal 31 to the infrared sensor 11. The inner surface of the light guide 23 has a high infrared reflectivity by using a method such as plating after mirror-polishing.
A metal such as u is coated so that infrared rays can be efficiently guided. Therefore, unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a degree of freedom in the installation location of the infrared sensor.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the overall configuration of a thermometer capable of displaying and recording the temperature by inputting a signal from a body temperature monitor, with the probe 1 described above being worn by a person to be measured on a bed. An example is shown.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 50 denotes a body temperature monitor body, which has the following functions.

The signal guided from the infrared sensor 11 of the headphone-shaped probe 1 by the signal line 12 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 5.
After being amplified by 00, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 501, and the central processing unit (CPU) 5
It is converted into the target temperature by 02. The converted target temperature is continuously displayed by the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 503, the digital value of the target temperature is updated at a certain time interval, for example, every second, and the graph as a time series signal is at a certain constant. The scroll has a time width of, for example, 6 hours. Also, the converted digital value of the target temperature is D
The analog signal is converted into an analog signal by the / A converter 504 and continuously recorded in the analog pen recorder 505.

By adopting such a constitution as the body temperature monitor, the temperature of the eardrum including the external auditory meatus can be continuously monitored in real time, and its temporal change can be seen at a glance. The body temperature monitor of the present embodiment using the binaural probe shown in FIG. 1 not only displays and records the temperature of the eardrum including the external ear canals at the same time, but also simultaneously detects the temperature difference of the eardrum including the external ear canals of the CPU 502. The calculation may be performed according to, and the display may be displayed on the LCD 503 and recorded on the analog pen recorder 505. Of course, the probe shown in FIG. 2 may be used to display and record the temperature of the eardrum including the ear canal on only one side at the same time.

Further, in order to reduce noise in the signal line from the probe 1 to the thermometer main body 50, the thermometer main body 50
The amplifier 500 of the signal from the infrared sensor 11 provided in the above may be arranged in the cavity formed by the probe head tip portion 13 and the probe head back cover 14. <Second Embodiment> FIG. 5 shows another embodiment in which the probe 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is worn by a person to be measured on a bed, and the overall configuration as a body temperature monitor. Indicates.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes a body temperature monitor main body, and 6
Reference numeral 0 denotes a personal computer as an example of an external device, which has the following functions.

The signal guided from the infrared sensor 11 of the headphone-shaped probe by the signal line 12 is an amplifier circuit 51.
After being amplified by 0, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 511 and converted into a target temperature by the CPU 512. The digital value of the target temperature converted by the CPU 512 is transmitted to the CPU 600 in the personal computer 60 through the external communication port. In the central processing unit (CPU) 600 in the personal computer 60, the digital value of the target temperature and the time-dependent graph transmitted from the CPU 512 of the body temperature monitor main body 51 are continuously displayed by a cathode ray tube (CR).
T) 601 and the floppy disk drive (FDD) 602 to display the floppy disk 6
Save the data in 03. The digital time series signal of the target temperature is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 604 and continuously recorded by the analog pen recorder 605. Further, a plotter (not shown) may be incorporated in the system of the personal computer 60, and a certain fixed time width, for example, 6 hours may be set as one page and output from the CPU 600 directly to the plotter.

The structure shown in FIG. 5 has a body temperature monitor main body 51.
As a matter of course, the body temperature monitor may monitor the temperature of other parts such as the rectum at the same time though it is the most basic configuration. In this case, it may be combined with another external biological information monitor, and the monitor system may be configured to incorporate not only body temperature but also other biological information such as an electrocardiogram. <Third Embodiment> FIG. 6 shows a state in which the subject 1 on the bed is wearing the probe 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and
Another embodiment of the overall configuration as a body temperature monitor is shown. In FIG. 6, a body temperature monitor main body 52 and a thermometer main body 53 that wirelessly transmit and receive data are shown and have the following functions.

In the body temperature monitor main body 52, the signal line 12
The signal guided from the infrared sensor 11 of the headphone probe 1 is amplified by the amplification circuit 520, modulated by the modulation circuit 521 into a modulation signal that can be wirelessly transmitted, and wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 522.

The signal wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 522 of the body temperature monitor main body 52 is transmitted to the antenna 53 of the thermometer main body 53.
After being received by 0, demodulated by the demodulation circuit 531, converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 532, and converted into a target temperature by the CPU 533. Figure 6
In the following, the display and recording means similar to those in the first embodiment are provided below, but the display, recording and storage means similar to those in the second embodiment may be provided.

In this embodiment, the body temperature monitor main body 52
Can be attached to any part of the arc-shaped leaf springs 17 and 18 of the probe 1.

By adopting such a configuration, not only is the annoyance of the signal line to the person to be measured reduced, but the person to be measured can also walk around within the range where wireless transmission is possible. <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 7 shows a state in which the subject 1 on the bed is wearing the probe 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and
Another embodiment of the overall configuration as a thermometer is shown.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 54 denotes a thermometer main body, which is a structure for temporarily storing data in a storage medium and later outputting it to an external device, and has the following functions.

The signal guided from the infrared sensor 11 of the headphone probe 1 by the signal line 12 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 5.
After being amplified by 40, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 541 and converted into a target temperature by the CPU 542. The digital value of the target temperature converted by the CPU 542 is the RAM built in the IC card 55.
Stored at 550. The data at this time is a certain sampling interval, for example, a one second interval, a certain time,
For example, it is stored in the IC card 55 for 24 hours.

After the body temperature data is acquired in the IC card 55, the IC card 55 is loaded by an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer.
Downloads data from the built-in RAM 550. Less than,
The same recording and other means as in the second embodiment are provided.

By adopting such a constitution as the body temperature monitor, not only is the annoyance of the signal line to the person to be measured reduced, but the range to be measured is not limited to the wireless transmission range as in the third embodiment. Will be able to walk around.

[0037]

As described above, in the body temperature monitor utilizing infrared rays of the eardrum temperature including the external auditory meatus, by providing the probe having the probe head connected to at least one end of the head fixing member, the person to be measured can be measured. On the other hand, since the probe can be worn stably and the field of view of the infrared sensor is fixed, it is possible to monitor the body temperature in a stable manner. According to the embodiment, in the case of a headphone type probe, if both probe heads are provided with infrared sensors, data processing of eardrum temperature including the external auditory meatus of both ears can be performed. It will be possible. Further, since the body temperature is monitored by infrared rays, the body temperature can be monitored with almost no delay even when a rapid temperature change occurs during hypothermic anesthesia. In addition, since the measured target temperature, that is, the body temperature can be displayed, recorded, and output in the form of memory, it is possible to monitor the person being measured in real time and see the change over time of the body temperature at a glance. There is an effect that the data can be stored.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a mechanical structure of a body temperature monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the body temperature monitoring device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a body temperature monitoring device when a light guide which is a modified example of the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the subject on the bed is wearing the probe of the present embodiment and the configuration of the thermometer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a person to be measured on a bed is wearing a probe and a configuration of a thermometer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a person to be measured on a bed is wearing a probe and a configuration of a thermometer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a person to be measured on a bed is wearing a probe and a configuration of a thermometer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the headphone-shaped probe of the present embodiment is inserted into the ear canal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Headphone Type Probe 11 Thermal Infrared Sensor 13 Probe Head Tip 17,18 Arc Leaf Spring 16 Ear Rest 19 Connecting Pin

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A probe head provided on at least one end of an arc-shaped head fixing member having elasticity,
A body temperature monitor, comprising: a body temperature sensor arranged in the probe head; and a probe for urging the probe head in the insertion direction along the ear canal.