Thermometer with movable cover

An ear thermometer including a main body and a probe secured thereto for receiving heat radiation emitted from ear canal. A disposable sheath is operative to surround the probe and isolate the probe from contact with the ear canal. A non-detachable cap which is secured to the main body and the probe are movable relative to each other, thereby allowing the disposable sheath to be popped off of the probe by movement of the non-detachable cap or the probe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of thermometers. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of ear thermometers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, it has been determined that tympanic membrane within human's ear canal is an excellent site for determination of the core temperature of a body due to its proximity to the external carotid artery which supplies blood to the hypothalamus. However, prior ear thermometers suffer from a problem that they require sterilization frequently when used with a number of patients to prevent cross-contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention provides an ear thermometer, comprising: a main body, comprising a front end stop portion, a rear end stop portion, and a recess portion therebetween; a probe, secured to the main body, for receiving heat radiation emitted from ear canal; a disposable sheath, surrounding the probe and isolating the probe from contact with the ear canal; and a slidable cap, disposed on the recess portion, operative to pop the disposable sheath off of the probe by movement of the slidable cap toward the front end stop portion.

Another embodiment of the invention provides an ear thermometer for receiving heat radiation emitted from ear canal, comprising: a main body; a hollow cap with a chamber therein, secured to the main body; a rotary control, disposed between the main body and the hollow cap; a threaded sleeve with an inner thread, secured to the rotary control in the chamber; a probe with an outer thread engaging the inner thread, surrounded by the threaded sleeve; and a disposable sheath, surrounding the probe and isolating the probe from contact with the ear canal; wherein the probe is operative to be introduced into the chamber and the disposable sheath is popped off of the probe by rotating the rotary control in a first direction, and pushed out of the hollow cap by rotating the rotary control in a second direction.

Another embodiment of the invention provides an ear thermometer for receiving heat radiation emitted from ear canal, comprising: a main body; a probe, secured to the main body, for receiving heat radiation emitted from the ear canal; a disposable sheath, surrounding the probe and isolating the probe from contact with the ear canal; a non-detachable cap, secured to the main body, wherein the non-detachable cap and the probe are movable relative to each other, thereby allowing the disposable sheath to be popped off of the probe by movement of the non-detachable cap or the probe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a main body and a probe secured thereto for receiving heat radiation emitted from ear canal. A disposable sheath is operative to surround the probe and isolate the probe from contact with the ear canal. A non-detachable cap which is secured to the main body and the probe are movable relative to each other, thereby allowing the disposable sheath to be popped off of the probe by movement of the non-detachable cap or the probe.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, an ear thermometer of an embodiment is illustrated. The thermometer comprises a main body100and a probe150secured thereto. In general, the probe150is operative to receive heat radiation emitted from the ear canal. And the main body100may typically comprise a front end stop portion140, a rear end stop portion120, and a recess portion135therebetween.

Furthermore, a disposable sheath500may surround the probe and isolate the probe from contact with the ear canal. Typically, the disposable sheath500is configured to conform to the outer surface of probe340.

Referring toFIG. 2, a slidable cap130is disposed on the recess portion135, which may be operative to pop the disposable sheath500off of the probe150after use, by movement of the slidable cap130toward the front end stop portion140. On the other hand, the slidable cap130may be operative to reveal the probe150for receiving heat radiation emitted from the ear canal, by movement of the slidable cap130toward the rear end stop portion120. Therefore, patient's ear canal could keep clean and free of contaminants.

Preferably, the slidable cap130is stopped at the front end stop portion140or the rear end stop portion120.

In one example, the ear thermometer may be an infrared thermometer. Generally, the probe150with a transparent window (not shown) has the geometry suitable for being disposed in a human ear. The heat radiation emitted from the human ear is transmitted into the sensor (not shown) installed in the probe via the transparent window. The technique for the probe is known to the art.

Also referring toFIG. 2, the slidable cap130may comprise an opening on its top surface, thereby allowing the probe150to pass through the opening. In addition, the top surface of the slidable cap130is operative to pop the disposable sheath500off of the probe150.

In one example, an operating portion disposed on one side of the main body may comprise a liquid crystal display220and button switch200. By switching on one of the buttons, the power supply is provided. By activating a measuring key, the temperature is measured and displayed on the liquid crystal display220.

However, the slidable cap130may cover the operating portion when it is moved to the rear stop end portion120. For exposing the operating portion of the main body100, the slidable cap130may further comprise an opening132on its side surface.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the ear thermometer preferably comprises a protective cover240provided to cover the probe150when the slidable cap130is stopped at the rear end stop portion120.

Referring toFIGS. 4,5,6and7, an ear thermometer of an embodiment is illustrated. The ear thermometer comprises a main body300and a probe360secured thereto. In general, the probe360is operative to receive heat radiation emitted from ear canal.

Alternatively, a hollow cap340with a chamber therein is secured to the main body300, and a rotary control320is disposed between the main body300and the hollow cap340.

In addition, referring toFIG. 7, a threaded sleeve321with an inner thread322may be secured to the rotary control320in the chamber. On the other hand, the probe surrounded by the threaded sleeve321may comprise an outer thread362for engaging the inner thread322.

Referring toFIG. 5, a disposable sheath500is further surrounds the probe360and isolates the probe from contact with the ear canal.

In the above-described embodiments, the probe360is preferably operative to be introduced into the chamber and then the disposable sheath500may be popped off of the probe360by rotating the rotary control320along a first direction such as a clockwise direction.

Further, the probe360is preferably operative to be pushed out of the hollow cap340by rotating the rotary control320along a second direction opposite the first direction such as a counterclockwise direction for receiving heat radiation emitted from the ear canal.

Typically, the hollow cap340comprises an opening342on its top surface and the chamber is extended from the opening342, thereby allowing the probe360to be pushed out of the hollow cap340through the opening342.

In addition, the top surface of the hollow cap340may be operative to pop the disposable sheath500off of the probe360.