Patent ID: 7422367

Claim:
A rectal thermometer comprising: a generally disk-shaped housing having at least one circumferential edge generally along a rim and containing temperature and processing circuitry; a probe guard portion having a distal end and a proximal end and having a curved profile in a region between said two ends and extending outward from said circumferential edge, said probe guard portion being connected to said circumferential edge at said proximal end; a controlled-depth temperature sensing probe having a predetermined length and a predetermined width and mounted on the distal end of said probe guard portion such that said temperature sensing probe is positioned a predetermined distance from said circumferential edge of said disk-shaped housing and such that said probe is configured to be inserted into a patient such that the probe guard portion allows insertion of generally the entire length of the probe and prevents insertion of said probe beyond the length of said probe; wherein the width of said probe guard portion at said distal end is substantially equal to said predetermined width of said sensing probe; and a temperature display mounted on said circumferential edge of said disk-shaped housing such that said display is viewable during a temperature taking process.