US3878728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermesthesiometer
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1973-10-18
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1993-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A thermesthesiometer for indicating the temperature that would be experienced if human contact were made with a hot surface comprising a probe member formed from an elastomer having a thermal inertia substantially equal to that of human skin and capable of withstanding temperatures of approximately 200*-300* C. A temperature controlling circuit is disposed in the bulk of the elastomer to maintain its internal temperature substantially equal to that of the human body, and temperature measuring means are disposed beneath the probe face at a distance substantially equal to that of the basal layer or the epidermis-dermis interface of human skin, which layer is sensitive to thermal damage. The instrument also includes means for displaying the measured contact or interface temperature at a predetermined time, such as 1, 2, 4, 8 or more seconds, after the probe is placed in contact with a hot object.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis A Marzetta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A thermesthesiometer for measuring the temperature that would exist at the basal layer of the skin of a human finger or the like if the finger were to contact a potentially hazardous hot surface, comprising: a finger-like probe of elastomeric material having a thermal inertia substantially equal to that of human finger tissue, said probe having a face for contacting said hot surface; temperature maintaining means disposed within said finger-like probe for maintaining the bulk of said elastomeric material at a temperature substantially equal to that of human finger tissue; temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of said elastomeric probe beneath said face at a distance substantially equal to that of the basal layer of human finger skin; timing signal generating means responsive to an output from said temperature measuring means which slightly exceeds the output corresponding to said human finger tissue temperature for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; and temperature displaying means responsive to the termination of said timing signal for fixedly displaying the then-existing temperature output from said temperature measuring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A thermesthesiometer for measuring the temperature that would exist at the basal layer of the skin of a human finger or the like if the finger were to contact a potentially hazardous hot surface, comprising: a finger-like probe of elastomeric material having a thermal inertia substantially equal to that of human finger tissue, said probe having a face for contacting said hot surface; temperature maintaining means disposed within said finger-like probe for maintaining the bulk of said elastomeric material at a temperature substantially equal to that of human finger tissue; temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of said elastomeric probe beneath said face at a distance substantially equal to that of the basal layer of human finger skin; timing signal generating means responsive to an output from said temperature measuring means which slightly exceeds the output corresponding to said human finger tissue temperature for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; and temperature displaying means responsive to the termination of said timing signal for fixedly displaying the then-existing temperature output from said temperature measuring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
176 words
A thermesthesiometer for measuring the temperature that would exist at the basal layer of the skin of a human finger or the like if the finger were to contact a potentially hazardous hot surface, comprising: a finger-like probe of elastomeric material having a thermal inertia substantially equal to that of human finger tissue, said probe having a face for contacting said hot surface; temperature maintaining means disposed within said finger-like probe for maintaining the bulk of said elastomeric material at a temperature substantially equal to that of human finger tissue; temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of said elastomeric probe beneath said face at a distance substantially equal to that of the basal layer of human finger skin; timing signal generating means responsive to an output from said temperature measuring means which slightly exceeds the output corresponding to said human finger tissue temperature for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; and temperature displaying means responsive to the termination of said timing signal for fixedly displaying the then-existing temperature output from said temperature measuring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
A thermesthesiometer for measuring the temperature that would exist at the basal layer of the skin of a human finger or the like if the finger were to contact a potentially hazardous hot surface, comprising: a finger-like probe of elastomeric material having a thermal inertia substantially equal to that of human finger tissue, said probe having a face for contacting said hot surface; temperature maintaining means disposed within said finger-like probe for maintaining the bulk of said elastomeric material at a temperature substantially equal to that of human finger tissue; temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of said elastomeric probe beneath said face at a distance substantially equal to that of the basal layer of human finger skin; timing signal generating means responsive to an output from said temperature measuring means which slightly exceeds the output corresponding to said human finger tissue temperature for generating a timing signal of preselected duration; and temperature displaying means responsive to the termination of said timing signal for fixedly displaying the then-existing temperature output from said temperature measuring means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The thermesthesiometer of claim 1 wherein said temperature maintaining means comprises: a resistance thermometer; and a heater wire wound around said resistance thermometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermesthesiometer of claim 1 wherein said temperature measuring means is a thermocouple.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The thermesthesiometer of claim 1 wherein said temperature measuring means is a ribbon-type thermocouple.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermesthesiometer of claim 1 wherein said temperature measuring means is a fine wire thermocouple.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermesthesiometer of claim 1 wherein said temperature displaying means comprises a digital paneL meter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The thermesthesiometer of claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprises a switch means for selectively switching between a readout time of 1, 2, 4 and 8 seconds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |