Zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement system

摘要

A zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement system measures internal body temperature by way of a probe having a heater and thermal sensors arranged in a zero-heat-flux construction. The measurement system includes control mechanization that determines heater and skin temperatures based upon data obtained from the probe and uses those temperatures to calculate a deep tissue temperature. The measurement system includes a signal interface cable having a connector where a probe can be releasably connected to the system. The cable and attached connector are a removable and replaceable part of the system, separate from the probe. The measurement system provides an output signal imitating a standard input signal configuration used by other equipment.

主权项

1. A zero-heat-flux temperature measurement system for measuring deep tissue temperature using a probe with first and second flexible substrate layers sandwiching a layer of thermally insulating material and a tab with electrical connection pads, in which a heater and a first thermal sensor are disposed on the first substrate layer, a second thermal sensor and a programmable memory device are disposed on the second substrate layer, the system including:
a controller with a signal connector jack and an emulator; a probe signal interface cable with first and second ends; a first connector attached to the first end of the probe signal interface cable for detachably connecting to the tab; a second connector attached to the second end of the probe signal interface cable for being inserted into and removed from the signal connector jack in the controller; in which the probe signal interface cable and the first and second connectors are a single integrated element separate from the probe, in which the controller includes probe control logic, and the zero-heat-flux temperature system further includes an information switch having a first state in which the information switch is operative to connect thermistor signals from the probe signal interface cable to the probe control logic and a second state in which the information switch is operative to connect programmable memory device information from the probe signal interface cable to the control logic.