John D Stevenson

US Patent:

60008466, Dec 14, 1999

Filed:

May 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/859050

Inventors:

Thomas K. Gregory - Carlsbad CA
Kerry O. Banke - La Mesa CA
John A. Mossman - La Mesa CA
John W. Stevenson - Carlsbad CA
Edward D. Suszynski - Vista CA

Assignee:

Welch Allyn, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01K 700
G01K 304

US Classification:

374164

Abstract:

An improved prediction-type medical thermometer that provides an accurate estimate of a patient's temperature in substantially reduced time as compared to prior thermometers of this kind. This improved performance is achieved by using a special hollow probe tip having a low heat capacity and incorporating a resistive heater that is actuated only upon removal of the probe from a base housing. In particular, a processor measures an initial temperature upon the probe's removal and applies to the heater an initial electrical signal having prescribed parameter, e. g. , pulse duration, that varies according to the initial temperature measurement. This warms the probe to a prescribed temperature at or near about 93. degree. F. , after which the processor applies a sequence of pulses to the heater, to controllably regulate the probe's temperature to the prescribed value.

US Patent:

60363614, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Mar 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/277059

Inventors:

Thomas K. Gregory - Carlsbad CA
Kerry O. Banke - La Mesa CA
John A. Mossman - La Mesa CA
John W. Stevenson - Carlsbad CA
Edward D. Suszynski - Vista CA

Assignee:

Welch Allyn, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01K 722
G01K 116

US Classification:

374185

Abstract:

An improved medical thermometer is disclosed that provides an accurate estimate of a patient's temperature in substantially reduced time as compared to prior thermometers of this kind. This improved performance is achieved by configuring the thermometer to include a hollow, thin-walled metallic probe tip sized for secure attachment to the remote end of an elongated base. This defines an elongated cavity within the probe tip, and a thermistor is bonded to the probe tip within that cavity. The cavity is configured to be substantially longer in the direction of the probe's longitudinal axis than it is in a transverse direction, to inhibit the conduction of heat along the probe tip to the elongated base. The temperature of the thermistor, therefore, closely follows the temperature of any surface that contacts the metallic tip.

US Patent:

56325550, May 27, 1997

Filed:

Nov 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/333958

Inventors:

Thomas K. Gregory - Carlsbad CA
John W. Stevenson - Carlsbad CA

Assignee:

Diatek, L.P. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01K 304
G01K 700
A61B 500

US Classification:

374102

Abstract:

An improved prediction-type medical thermometer that provides an accurate estimate of a patient's temperature in substantially reduced time as compared to prior thermometers of this kind. This improved performance is achieved by using a special hollow probe tip having a low heat capacity and incorporating a resistive heater that is actuated only upon removal of the probe from a base housing. The heater regulates the temperature to a value of about 93. degree. F. After the probe is applied to the patient, a microprocessor repeatedly samples the thermistor and estimates the patient's temperature based on the successive samples. If a predetermined number of successive temperature estimates lie within a predetermined error range, the sampling is terminated and the most recent estimate is displayed as the patient's temperature. In addition, when that estimate lies outside of a normal temperature range, an increased number of successive estimates lying within a predetermined error range are required before the thermometer displays the estimated temperature.