Abstract:
An axillary thermometer for measuring the temperature of the patient is provided. The axillary thermometer is of generally arcuate shape permitting it to conform to a patient&#39;s upper arm when temperature measurements are being administered. The probe of the thermometer is shaped such that it fits snugly and comfortably in the axillary region of the patient and includes a temperature sensor positioned about the probe for obtaining the most accurate measurements. The arcuate design and probe configuration of the axillary thermometer enhances the temperature measuring process in the axillary region.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/708,591, filed Aug. 16, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Body temperature is a measure of the body&#39;s ability to generate and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a narrow, safe range in spite of large variations in temperatures outside the body. When the body gets too hot, the blood vessels in the skin expand to carry the excess heat to the skin&#39;s surface. The body may begin to sweat, and as the sweat evaporates it helps cool the body. When the body gets too cold, the blood vessels contract so that blood flow to the skin is reduced to conserve body heat. The body may start shivering, which is an involuntary, rapid contraction of the muscles. This extra muscle activity helps generate more heat. Under normal conditions, these processes effectively regulate your body temperature.  
         [0003]     Thermometers are devices which can be used to measure body temperature. Body temperature can be measured at a host of areas including the mouth, ear, rectum, forehead, or armpit. From children to the elderly, measuring body temperature can be an important factor in the treatment of problems or diseases of patients. Thus, determining an individual&#39;s body temperature in an accurate, noninvasive manner is essential to providing proper care to a patient. Unfortunately, many patients view the temperature taking process as invasive and uncomfortable, especially children.  
         [0004]     Traditional digital “stick” thermometers can be used in the oral, rectal, and armpit (axillary) regions and typically include an elongated probe having a thermistor. The probe is applied to the particular location on the patient&#39;s body, allowing the temperature of the thermistor and probe to rise to the patient temperature, which is then displayed on the thermometer. However, traditional “stick” thermometers are not optimal for accurate temperature measurement in the axillary region. For example, these thermometers have a tendency to move around and lack the ability to maintain sufficient, constant contact with the axilla, and more particularly, the region near the axillary artery. The more uncomfortable a child or other patient becomes, the more the patient squirms making it nearly impossible to obtain an accurate temperature measurement in the axillary region.  
         [0005]     Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0170216. However, the body of these thermometers extends directly outward away from the patient&#39;s body where it is in danger of being meddled with or simply moving around on its own, preventing the probe from making good contact with the axillary region for any extended period of time. Moreover, such design often requires a parent administering the temperature taking process of a child to hold the dangling end of the thermometer body in place, while simultaneously holding the child&#39;s arm against the child&#39;s body. This becomes problematic if the child squirms because the parent has no remaining hands with which to hold the child still. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with features and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an axillary thermometer embodying features of the present invention for measuring body temperature;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the axillary thermometer of  FIG. 1  embodying features of the present invention for measuring body temperature;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  shows another plan view of the axillary thermometer of  FIG. 1  embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  shows another perspective view of the axillary thermometer of  FIG. 1  embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows the axillary thermometer embodying features of the present invention in place in the underarm region of a child; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a general schematic of the axillary thermometer electronics embodying features of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.  
         [0014]     Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is directed to an axillary thermometer  10  that is designed for taking the temperature of an individual via that individual&#39;s axillary region. The shape and design of the axillary thermometer  10  may allow for improved placement into the axillary region and may provide an improved ability to remain securely in place in the axillary region. This can result in increased comfort for the patient, improved sensing capabilities, and a more precise temperature determination. The axillary thermometer  10  embodying features of the present invention can be especially advantageous when measuring the a child&#39;s body temperature since the armpit is a popular location for such measurements in children. Of course, the axillary thermometer  10  of the present invention can be equally effective for measuring the body temperature of individuals of all ages.  
         [0015]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the axillary thermometer  10  according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a probe  12  attached to one end of an arm band  14  and a display member  16  affixed to another end of the arm band  14 . The probe  12  contains a temperature sensor  18  for sensing the body temperature of the axillary region of a patient. The display member  16  includes a temperature display  20  and an activation switch  22 .  
         [0016]     The probe  12  can have a generally triangular profile with a rounded corners for providing a snug fit in the axillary region, as best shown in  FIG. 3 . Of course, other shapes of the probe for providing a snug, comfortable fit are also fully contemplated. Moreover, the probe  12  may be substantially flat in that it includes an inner probe surface  24  and an outer probe surface  26  essentially parallel to one another. Of course, the inner probe surface  24  and the outer probe surface  26  may not be perfectly parallel as they meet at the outer periphery of the probe  12  forming a peripheral edge  28 . The peripheral edge  28  may be rounded so as to eliminate any unnecessary sharp edges. This design may provide optimal comfort to the patient when the probe  12  is positioned in the axilla while the patient&#39;s arm is placed at the side of the body. Meanwhile, the shape of the probe  12  permits it to be optimally placed in the axillary region for taking accurate body temperature measurements.  
         [0017]     As previously mentioned, the probe  12  contains a temperature sensor  18  for measuring the temperature of the armpit. The temperature sensor  18  may be formed integrally with the probe  12  or properly affixed thereto. The temperature sensor  18  may be disposed inward of the peripheral edge  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Alternatively, the temperature sensor  18  may be positioned along the peripheral edge  28  of the probe  12 . In fact, the temperature sensor  18  may be located anywhere along the probe  12  without exceeding the scope of the present invention. Regardless of its placement on the probe  12 , the temperature sensor  18  may include at least one exposed contact surface  30  for making direct contact with a patient&#39;s skin when placed in the axillary region.  
         [0018]     Best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the arm band  14  may be an elongate, arcuately shaped band having a generally rectangular profile. The arm band  14  includes a proximal end  32  and a distal end  34 . The probe  12  may be connected to the proximal end  32 , while the display member  16  may be connected to the distal end  34 . Moreover, the arm band  14  may include an inner arcuate surface  36  and an outer arcuate surface  38 . The arm band  14  may be flexible such that it can conform to the shape of a patient&#39;s arm. Once the arm band  14  is flexed to fit around the patient&#39;s arm, it may hold its form absent an applied external force. The arm band  14  may be formed from any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. Whatever the chosen material, the arm band  14  can be sufficiently flexible to adjust shape if adequate force is applied, but sufficiently rigid to maintain shape absent the requisite external force. Thus, the arcuate shape of the arm band  14  can be modified to conform comfortably to any upper arm size and shape.  
         [0019]     Alternatively, the arm band  14  may be generally rigid and unflexible. Accordingly, its arcuate shape may fit generically to patients of a particular age group, gender or size. Thus, whether rigid or flexible, the arm band  14  may be capable of wrapping generally around the upper arm of a patient to ease the administering of body temperature measurements and to promote comfort and accuracy.  
         [0020]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 , the display member  16  of the axillary thermometer  10  is described in greater detail. The display member  16  may also have an arcuate contour not unlike that of the arm band  14 . The display member  16  may be connected to the arm band  14  and extend therefrom maintaining the overall generally arcuate shape of the arm band when wrapped around a patient&#39;s arm. To this end, the inner arcuate surface  36  and outer arcuate surface  38  of the arm band  14  may extend to the display member  16 . Thus, the display member  16  may likewise substantially conform to the patient&#39;s upper arm. In one aspect of the invention, the display member  16  may be rigid. However, it is fully contemplated that the display member  16  may also be flexible. This design permits the entire axillary thermometer  10  to generally conform to the upper arm region of a patient.  
         [0021]     Alternatively, the display member  16  may simply be affixed to or disposed upon the distal end  34  of the arm band  14  such that it is part of the arm band itself. Accordingly, the display member  16  may share similar characteristics as the arm band  14 .  
         [0022]     The temperature display  20  provides a user with digitally displayed readouts of a patient&#39;s body temperature, and can be read simultaneously with the temperature taking process. The temperature display  20  may be an LCD screen  40  positioned behind a protective lens  42 . The lens  42  protects the display  20  from abrasions and damage caused by water, dirt, or debris and may be rounded to correspond with the arcuate contour of the display member  16  or arm band  14  or both. The display  20  may be aligned such that it faces opposite the patient&#39;s upper arm when in use. For example, the display  20  may be disposed along the outer arcuate surface  38  of the display member  16 . Of course, it is fully contemplated that the display  20  may be positioned anywhere that may provide convenient viewing by a user.  
         [0023]     With regard to  FIG. 6 , the temperature sensor  18  communicates with the temperature display  20  through temperature sensing circuitry  44 . The temperature sensing circuitry  44  may include a wired connection between the temperature sensor  18  and the display  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 ( a ). Alternatively, the temperature sensor input may be transmitted wirelessly for eventual output to the display  20 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 ( b ). According to one aspect of the present invention, the temperature sensing circuitry  44  is self-contained within the axillary thermometer  10  itself, which acts as a protective sheath for the delicate electronics. The activation switch  22  may be disposed on the outer surface of the display member  16  or, alternately, in any convenient location upon the axillary thermometer  10 . The activation switch  22  functions to toggle the axillary thermometer  10  between ON and OFF. Thus, depressing the activation switch  22  once can turn the axillary thermometer  10  on so that it is ready to take the temperature of a patient. When a user is finished with taking body temperature measurements, the axillary thermometer  10  may be turned off by depressing the activation switch  22  a second time. Alternatively, the axillary thermometer  10  may shut off on its own after a sufficient amount of time elapses.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the axillary thermometer  10  may further include an arm pad  46  adhesively or otherwise affixed to the inner arcuate surface  36  of the arm band  14  or display member  16  or both. The arm pad  46  may be a thin piece of foam or rubber shaped similar to the arm band  14  or display member  16  and used to cushion the contact between the arm band  14  or display member  16  and a patient&#39;s upper arm. In addition to softening the contact between the arm band  14  or display member  16  and a patient&#39;s arm, the arm pad  46  may supply extra friction therebetween which can help prevent the axillary thermometer  10  from slipping against the skin.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the axillary thermometer  10 , according to certain aspects of the present invention, can be used. The probe  12  may be inserted into the axillary region where it fits snugly and comfortably. The design of the probe  12  can minimize the discomfort to the patient, and can thereby minimize the amount of movement caused by the discomfort, especially when the patient is a child. The arm band  14  can be flexed around the upper arm of the patient such that the arm band  14  and display member  16  wrap around the upper arm much like a bracelet. Alternatively, an arcuately shaped arm band may already conform generally to the shape of the patient&#39;s upper arm. Accordingly, the axillary thermometer  10  is more apt to stay in place once the temperature taking process begins, enhancing the thermometer&#39;s precision. Further, this design permits an individual administering the temperature taking process to use only one hand to hold both the axillary thermometer  10  and the patient&#39;s arm in place. Thus, a second hand is free to attend to other matters or help in holding the patient still.  
         [0026]     Once in place, the temperature taking process may begin. The patient or administrator of the temperature taking process can activate the axillary thermometer  10  by pressing the activation switch  22 . Of course, it is fully contemplated that the activation switch  22  can be depressed to turn the thermometer on before it is positioned in the axillary region. Once situated and turned on, the axillary thermometer  10  begins taking temperature readings and outputs the corresponding temperature via the temperature display  20 . Optionally, an alarm or beep may sound when the final temperature measurement has been displayed or when the temperature readings have stabilized. When the temperature taking process is completed, the axillary thermometer  10  may be removed from the patient&#39;s underarm and the activation switch  22  depressed in order to turn off the device. Alternatively, the axillary thermometer  10  may shut off on its own after a specified amount of time has elapsed.  
         [0027]     The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including the ability to take more consistent and accurate body temperature measurements in the axillary region, a common place for taking the temperature of a child. Additionally, the overall temperature taking experience can be more pleasant and less cumbersome, which can also aid in achieving accurate results. Moreover, the flexibility of the arm band  14  permits any patient and/or administrator of the temperature taking process to enjoy these features, regardless of the myriad of upper arm shapes and sizes that can be found in a typical household.  
         [0028]     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.