Patent ID: 8496377

Claim:
An electronic thermometer comprising: a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring the temperature of the subject, said probe including a molded plastic substrate having opposite first and second end margins, said first end margin of the molded plastic substrate including a first positioning element and a second positioning element integrally formed therein a conductive circuit pattern formed directly on a surface of the molded plastic substrate and extending at least from the first end margin of the molded plastic substrate to the second end margin of the molded plastic substrate; a temperature sensor mounted on the molded plastic substrate for detecting the temperature of the probe, said temperature sensor being positioned on the molded plastic substrate at the first end margin by the first positioning element, wherein the conductive circuit pattern provides an electrical connection between the temperature sensor and a processor; a heating element mounted on the molded plastic substrate for preheating the temperature sensor, said heating element being positioned on the molded plastic substrate at the first end margin by the second positioning element; an isolator received by the first end margin of the molded plastic substrate, said isolator comprising a thermally insulating material for thermally isolating the first end margin of the molded plastic substrate from a remainder of the molded plastic substrate including the second end margin; and a separator also received by the first end margin of the molded plastic substrate, wherein said separator is in thermal contact with the temperature sensor and positioned between the temperature sensor and the isolator.