US4466445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and devices for measurement of urine temperature, particularly for detecting the shift in basal body temperature in women
Assignee: University of Florida
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Filing: 1982-09-16
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Granted: 1984-08-21
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Expires: 2002-09-16
Abstract
Abstract An automatic system for recognizing a shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility combines a device for measurement of urine temperature with a signal processing subsystem. Two specific forms of temperature measurement device are disclosed, and both are adapted for positioning in a toilet bowl.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Abrams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; A61B10/00; A61B10/0012; A61B5/145; A61B5/14507; A61B5/20; G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/14; A61B10/0045; A61B10/007; A61B2010/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising: a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element; a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; said device for measurement of urine temperature including a funnel having a mouth for receiving urine and an apex, a flow-through sensing portion positioned at said funnel apex for receiving urine, said flow-through sensing portion including a reservoir, and a flow-restricting drain aperture for said reservoir; and said electrical temperature sensing element being positioned within said reservoir.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising: a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element; a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; said device for measurement of urine temperature including a funnel having a mouth for receiving urine and an apex, a flow-through sensing portion positioned at said funnel apex for receiving urine, said flow-through sensing portion including a reservoir, and a flow-restricting drain aperture for said reservoir; and said electrical temperature sensing element being positioned within said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, which further comprises at least one overflow aperture for said funnel between said funnel mouth and apex, and a baffle for said overflow aperture to initially direct urine towards said flow-through sensing portion.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising: a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element; a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; said device for measurement of urine temperature including an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material, and a dam positioned generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough, said dam being relatively low in height compared to the sidewalls of said V-trough, said dam defining an overflow reservoir; and said electrical temperature-sensing element being positioned within said reservoir.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising: a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element; a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; said device for measurement of urine temperature including an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material, and a dam positioned generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough, said dam being relatively low in height compared to the sidewalls of said V-trough, said dam defining an overflow reservoir; and said electrical temperature-sensing element being positioned within said reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system in accordance with claim 3, which further comprises a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards said reservoir.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
170 words
A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising: a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element; a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; and said device for measurement of urine temperature including an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material, said electrical temperature sensing element being positioned in and generally at the downstream end of said inclinded V-trough, and a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards and over said electrical temperature-sensing element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
170 words
A system for use by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening for the purpose of detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, said system comprising: a device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device including an electrical temperature-sensing element; a signal-processing subsystem electrically connected to said temperature-sensing element and operable to record daily urine temperature readings indicative of basal body temperature, to perform a statistical test for recognizing an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility, and to signal when the statistical test has been satisfied; and said device for measurement of urine temperature including an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material, said electrical temperature sensing element being positioned in and generally at the downstream end of said inclinded V-trough, and a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards and over said electrical temperature-sensing element.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising; a funnel having a mouth for receiving urine and an apex; and a flow-through sensing portion positioned at said funnel apex for receiving urine, said flow-through sensing portion including a reservoir, a flow-restricting drain aperture for said reservoir, and an electrical temperature-sensing element within said reservoir.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
64 words
A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising; a funnel having a mouth for receiving urine and an apex; and a flow-through sensing portion positioned at said funnel apex for receiving urine, said flow-through sensing portion including a reservoir, a flow-restricting drain aperture for said reservoir, and an electrical temperature-sensing element within said reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device in accordance with claim 6, which further comprises at least one overflow aperture for said funnel between said funnel mouth and apex, and a baffle for said overflow aperture to initially direct urine towards said flow-through sensing portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element comprises a junction-type thermocouple.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device in accordance with claim 7, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said funnel and flow-through sensing portion within a toilet bowl.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device in accordance with claim 6, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said funnel and flow-through sensing portion within a toilet bowl.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
68 words
A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising: an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material; a dam positioned generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough, said dam being relatively low in height compared to the sidewalls of said V-trough, and said dam defining an overflow reservoir; and an electrical temperature-sensing element within said reservoir.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
68 words
A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising: an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material; a dam positioned generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough, said dam being relatively low in height compared to the sidewalls of said V-trough, and said dam defining an overflow reservoir; and an electrical temperature-sensing element within said reservoir.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, which further comprises a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards said reservoir.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 17, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said inclined V-trough within a toilet bowl.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 18, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 17, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device in accordance with claim 21, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element comprises a junctiontype thermocouple.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, which further comprises a support structure for positioning said inclined V-trough within a toilet bowl.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein said temperature-sensing element is adapted for connection to a signal-processing system for detecting an upward shift in basal body temperature indicative of the beginning of a period of infertility when said device is employed by a human female on a daily basis upon awakening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 24, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
62 words
A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising: an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material; an electrical temperature-sensing element positioned in and generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough; and a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards and over said electrical temperature-sensing element.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
62 words
A device for measurement of urine temperature upon micturation as an indicator of body temperature, said device comprising: an inclined V-trough having sidewalls of thermally insulative material; an electrical temperature-sensing element positioned in and generally at the downstream end of said inclined V-trough; and a plurality of ridges on the V-trough sidewalls for directing urine towards and over said electrical temperature-sensing element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 26, wherein said electrical temperature-sensing element has a thermal time constant of less than twenty seconds.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-21 | 1988-02-20 | 1988-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-21 | 1992-02-20 | 1992-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-21 | 1996-02-20 | 1996-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |