Abstract:
A body temperature monitoring system comprises a mouth guard, a temperature-sensing unit associated with the mouth guard, and an indicator unit responsive to the temperature-sensing unit. The indicator unit indicates if a body temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing unit is outside of a pre-selected range. The indicator unit may be programmed to actuate an indicator when the temperature-sensing unit senses one or more temperatures that fall outside the pre-selected range. In one implementation, the indicator unit receives a string of multiple temperature readings and determines which temperatures are valid and invalid, and averages the valid temperatures. A method of monitoring a person&#39;s body temperature that parallels the above device is also described.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods of monitoring body temperature, and more particularly to systems and methods of monitoring body temperature providing mouth guards. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In recent years, recognition has become widespread of the problem of excessive changes to core body temperature during physical exertion. The problem has the potential to affect a broad swath of the population, including athletes from the professional level to the recreational. Excessive body temperature may manifest itself in the form of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. In the other extreme, hypothermia may result from excessive reduction of body temperature. 
   Monitoring body temperature during athletic events poses special challenges. The wearer must maintain mobility, so that devices protruding from the mouth or ears are impractical. Furthermore, it is often normal and safe for body temperature to fluctuate substantially during physical exertion, so that it may be necessary to monitor body temperature over some period of time in order to accurately determine whether body temperature is outside of a safe range. Additionally, the measurement of body temperature should accurately measure core body temperature. For this reason, systems and methods that monitor skin temperature are deficient, because temperature often at the skin may differ significantly from core body temperature. 
   Thus, there remains a need for a system or method for effectively monitoring body temperature during physical exertion. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The system of the present invention comprises a mouth guard, a temperature-sensing unit associated with the mouth guard, and an indicator unit responsive to the temperature-sensing unit. The mouth guard may be configured to position the temperature-sensing unit proximate the maxillary arch of the mouth of a wearer. The indicator unit indicates when the body temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing unit is outside of a pre-selected range. The indicator unit may be configured to provide a physical stimulus to the wearer of the mouth guard and/or may comprise a visible or audible indicator. The indicator unit may be associated with the mouth guard or it may comprise a separate assembly. The indicator unit may be configured to process outputs from the temperature sensing unit by determining whether each output is valid and determining an average value of valid outputs. 
   The method comprises steps of integrating a temperature sensor and a mouth guard, processing output from the temperature sensor to determine the average body temperature of a wearer of the mouth guard, and generating a temperature indication based on the average body temperature. The processing may comprise accepting output at fixed time intervals, discarding invalid output, and/or determining an average body temperature based on valid output. The temperature indication may comprise a visible indication, an audible indication and/or a physical stimulation to the wearer. The temperature indication may indicate that the average body temperature is outside of a pre-selected range. The processing and generating steps may be carried out in an assembly separate from the integrated mouth guard and temperature sensor, and that assembly may communicate with the temperature sensor through a wireless interface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the temperature monitoring system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the temperature sensing unit and the indicator unit that forms a part of the temperature monitoring system of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating functions of the processing circuit that forms a part of the indicator unit. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the function of the processing circuit in computing an average temperature. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With further reference to the drawings, the temperature monitoring system of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  10 . Temperature monitoring system  10  comprises a mouth guard indicated generally by the numeral  12  and a temperature sensing unit indicated generally by the numeral  30 . Temperature sensing unit  30  is integrated or associated with the mouth guard  12 . Further, the temperature monitoring system  10  comprises an indicator unit  32 . In one embodiment, as discussed below, indicator unit  32  is integrated into the mouth guard  12 . However, as will be discussed subsequently herein, one or more components of the indicator unit  32  can be located remotely from the mouth guard  12 . 
   Returning to the mouth guard  12 , the same includes a main body that is configured to fit within a wearer&#39;s mouth. Mouth guard  12  would preferably be constructed of the same material and in the same manner as conventional mouth guards of the type used by athletes, for example. Structurally, mouth guard  12  includes a curved or non-linear teeth channel  14 . In the case of the mouth guard  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , teeth channel  14  is designed to receive the upper teeth of the wearer. Teeth channel  14  includes a front curved portion  16 , a back curved portion  18  and a bottom portion  20 . Formed generally centrally about the rear portion of the mouth guard  12  is a maxillary arch  22 . The maxillary arch  22  is configured to rest adjacent an upper portion of the roof of the wearer&#39;s mouth adjacent the teeth. 
   Integrated into the mouth guard  12  is the temperature sensing unit  30 . As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 , temperature sensing unit  30  includes a temperature sensor  30 A. Temperature sensor  30 A is positioned on the upper surface of the maxillary arch  22 . When mouth guard  12  is properly fitted in the wearer&#39;s mouth, the temperature sensor  30 A as well as portions of the maxillary arch  22  will engage or touch a portion of the roof of the wearer&#39;s mouth. Various conventional temperature sensors can be provided. In one embodiment it is contemplated that the temperature sensor  30 A would be a platinum temperature sensor that would be operative to measure or sense temperature where a current is directed through the platinum temperature sensor. It should be appreciated that the temperature sensor  30 A could be incorporated into the mouth guard  12  in other ways. For example, the temperature sensor  30 A could be embedded, attached, or fastened to portions of the main body of the mouth guard  12 . In the case of a platinum temperature sensor, such a sensor has the advantage of being inert and non-toxic in the environment of a human mouth. Further, a platinum temperature sensor is advantageous in that it is capable in sensing temperatures accurately in the temperature range typically found in human beings. 
   As noted before, temperature monitoring system  10  includes an indicator unit  32 . Indicator unit  32  functions to receive a temperature reading or a series of temperature readings (which could be in the form of signals) from the temperature sensing unit  30 , and based on the received temperature reading or readings, determine if the sensed temperature indicates that the core body temperature is in an abnormal range. If the indicator unit  32  determines that the temperature of the individual wearing the mouth guard  12  is in an abnormal or dangerous range, then the indicator unit  32  functions to alert the individual, or some other individuals in the vicinity of where the activity is occurring, that the core body temperature of this individual is abnormal or lying in or around a dangerous range. 
   Viewing  FIG. 2 , the indicator unit  32  is shown schematically. As seen in  FIG. 2 , indicator unit  32  includes a processing circuit  32 A and an indicator  32 B. Before discussing the processing circuit  32 A, it should be noted that the function of the indicator  32 B is to indicate that a person wearing the mouth guard  12  is in danger due to their core body temperature being in a dangerous range. This indication can be performed in various ways. First, the indicator  32 B may simply include a light emitting diode (LED). Additionally, the indicator  32 B may include an audible device. Further, the indicator  32 B may include a device that provides a physical stimulus to the wearer of the mouthpiece. For example, in this regard, the mouthpiece could be provided with a portion or a device that would be responsive to a determination that a dangerous temperature condition exists or is approaching to where the device would provide a physical stimulus to the wearer or would provide some physical indication alerting the wearer of the mouth guard  12  that his or her temperature is in a dangerous region or range or is approaching a dangerous region or range. For example, the main body of the mouth guard  12  could be designed to change shape or configuration in response to the sensed temperature being in a danger region. In addition, a pin-like device could be movably mounted within the mouthpiece to provide the physical stimulus required to alert the wearer of the dangerous core temperature condition. 
   Also, indicator  32 B could include an RF transmitter and a remote receiver. That is, once the processing circuit  32 A has determined that a dangerous temperature condition exists, an RF transmitter imbedded or closely associated with the mouthpiece  12  could direct an RF signal to a remote receiver, shown in  FIG. 2 . The remote receiver upon receiving the RF signal would then provide some type of indication that an abnormal or dangerous core temperature condition had been sensed in the wearer of the mouth guard  12 . 
   It is appreciated that the temperature monitoring system  10  would include a battery  34  for powering the processing unit  32 A and in the case of some embodiments providing the necessary electrical current to operate the temperature sensor  30 A. 
   Indicator unit  32  could be wholly incorporated into the mouth guard  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this case, indicator  32 B is in the form of an LED and is secured or dispersed about the front portion  16  of the main body of the mouth guard  12 . In this position the LED can be viewed when the wearer of the mouthpiece  12  opens his or her mouth. Processing circuit  32 A could also be wholly incorporated into the main body of the mouthpiece  12  along with battery  34 . 
   As alluded to before, the indicator  32 B could include an RF transmitter and a remote receiver. In such a case the RF transmitter would be embedded or closely associated with the mouth guard  12 . The remote receiver could be located remotely from the mouthpiece  12  and could be in the form of a handheld device. The remote receiver could be configured to receive a group of RF signals emitted from a plurality of mouth guards  12 . Each RF signal could include a unique identifier such that temperature readings could be associated with particular individuals. In a case involving an RF transmitter and a remote receiver, the processing circuit  32 A could still be embedded, secured or closely associated, with the mouth guard  12 . Indicator unit  32  could be remotely located from the mouth guard  12 . Ordinary networking devices could be utilized to transmit temperature readings or data representing temperature readings from the temperature sensing unit  30  to a remote indicator unit  32 . 
   Processing unit  32 A could assume various forms such as a programmable controller or a programmable logic unit. However, in some embodiments the processing circuit  32 A may not be programmable but simply configured to perform set functions in a repetitive or routine way. For example, it is contemplated that the processing circuit would be operative to receive a series of outputs or output signals from the temperature sensing unit  30 . These outputs or signals from the temperature sensing unit  30  would be indicative of core temperature values measured by the temperature sensing unit  30 . Moreover, the processing circuit  32 A could be configured to accept this data at selected time intervals over a certain period of time. For example, the processing circuit could be designed and configured to be received from the temperature sensing unit  30  a temperature reading or value every one minute for a period of five minutes. Upon receiving the five temperature readings, the processing unit  32 A would add the temperature readings and divide by the number of readings to yield an average temperature. Then the processing unit  32 A would compare the average computed temperature to one or more selected ranges or regions of temperatures. For example, abnormal or dangerous temperature regions would be defined and if the computed average temperature falls within a dangerous temperature region, or even a temperature region of concern, then the processing unit  32 A would be operative to actuate the indicator  32 B. As discussed before, once the indicator  32 B has been actuated, an alert is communicated signaling the danger. 
   It is appreciated that in measuring core temperatures that it is possible to produce data or temperature readings that are not accurate or unreliable. For example, it may be concluded that temperature readings greater than 40° C. or less than 33° C. are invalid temperatures and should not be used in assessing average core temperatures. Thus, processing circuit  32 A would be configured to distinguish between valid and invalid temperature readings. Once a valid temperature range is established, processing unit  32 A would automatically disregard all invalid temperatures. When a temperature is deemed by the processing unit  32 A to be invalid, the processing unit would also possess the intelligence not to count or average that temperature in a group of temperature readings. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature monitoring system  10  could include a device having the temperature-sensing unit  30  incorporated therein where the device would be inserted into an ear of a person. In this case, core body temperatures are sensed by a temperature sensor and communicated to an indicator unit. The same method or process as described above would follow. The temperature sensor would sense temperature at preselected time intervals and these temperature readings (temperature signals) would be directed to the processing unit  32 A where the individual readings or signals would be compared or scrutinized by the processing unit to determine if each reading or signal was valid or invalid. The valid temperature readings would again be added and averaged. If the average core body temperature computed by the processing circuit was within a selected danger range, then the indicator would provide an indication of such. Again, the indicator could constitute a visual indicator, an audible indicator, a device that would provide a physical stimulus to the person, and as discussed above, could entail a transmitter sending a signal to a remote receiver. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  depict an algorithm for sensing and computing core temperatures. These two flowcharts generally summarize the above discussion and particularly the method or approach utilized by the temperature monitoring system  10  in determining if the wearer of the mouth guard  12  has a core temperature that lies in a danger zone. 
   The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.