US4633885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic temperature probe
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-10-31
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2004-10-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical thermodetector for in vivo testing of tissue is disclosed which has a housing including a case and a needle-like extension projecting therefrom, the extension having a sharp end for piercing the skin of a patient, a temperature element disposed within the housing and having indicating means responsive to a predetermined change in temperature, and an optical element disposed within the housing for recording coloration of tissue. The recording of coloration of tissue takes place as the extension is withdrawn from a depth within the skin of a patient. The recordation on film of the coloration of the tissue corresponds to the recordation of the temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Denyse C. DuBrucq
- 👤 Henry C. Kondracki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; A61B10/00; A61B10/0012; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B5/44; A61B5/441; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6848; G; G01; G01K; G01K11/00; G01K11/12; G01K13/00; G01K13/20; A61B2010/0019; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An electronic temperature probe for indicating small changes in temperature, comprising: an enclosure having an extension; means for manually setting a fixed reference temperature; means disposed within said extension for detecting a predetermined change in temperature from said reference temperature; means disposed within said enclosure for indicating the detection of said predetermined change in temperature; and electronic circuit means disposed within said enclosure and operatively connecting said indicating means in response to said predetermined change in temperature, said indicating means includes a light which is illuminated upon the energization of said indicating means, and said indicating means also includes means for flashing said light on and off when the temperature measured is greater than the reference temperature and less than said predetermined change in temperature above the reference temperature, such that the light is illuminated in a steady state when the measured temperature is greater than said predetermined change in temperature above the reference temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electronic temperature probe for indicating small changes in temperature, comprising: an enclosure having an extension; means for manually setting a fixed reference temperature; means disposed within said extension for detecting a predetermined change in temperature from said reference temperature; means disposed within said enclosure for indicating the detection of said predetermined change in temperature; and electronic circuit means disposed within said enclosure and operatively connecting said indicating means in response to said predetermined change in temperature, said indicating means includes a light which is illuminated upon the energization of said indicating means, and said indicating means also includes means for flashing said light on and off when the temperature measured is greater than the reference temperature and less than said predetermined change in temperature above the reference temperature, such that the light is illuminated in a steady state when the measured temperature is greater than said predetermined change in temperature above the reference temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes means for detecting a change of at least 0.1° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe of claim 2, wherein said detecting means includes a resistor and a thermistor located in close proximal relationship to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe of claim 2, wherein said indicating means includes a transducer which gives an auditory or tactile signal to indicate a temperature change above the reference temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The probe of claim 2, including means responsive to the output from said indicating means for driving a strip chart recorder for automatic data collection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The probe of claim 2, including means responsive to the output from said indicating means for activating another circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A plurality of probes as set forth in claim 1, each probe having a different reference temperature, said detection means each disposed near the other detecting means and said probes all enclosed in a single housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The temperature probe of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit means comprises a bridge circuit connected to said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The temperature probe of claim 8, wherein said reference temperature setting means comprises a variable resistor in said bridge circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
The temperature probe of claim 8, wherein said electronic connecting means further comprises: an operational amplifier receiving two inputs from said bridge circuit; and a transistor connected to the output of said operational amplifier, such that when said operational amplifier detects a difference in said two inputs corresponding to said predetermined change in temperature from said reference temperature, said transistor is energized, and said transistor further being connected to said indicating means for energizing said indicating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The temperature probe of claim 10 wherein said electronic circuit means further comprises a voltage reference means for supplying a constant voltage to said bridge circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The temperature probe of claim 10, wherein said electronic circuit means further comprises a flasher connected to said operational amplifier and said indicating means and having at least one voltage controlled single-pole double-throw switch and two inverters forming a low frequency oscillator for causing said indicating means to flash on and off.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
The temperature probe of claim 5, wherein said detector includes a thermistor and a detecting resistor connected together at a common point, said detecting resistor connected to a power source at a point opposite said common point, and said thermistor connected to the bridge circuit at a point opposite said common point, wherein a first tracking resistor is connected on one side between said detecting resistor and said power source and at its other side to a first side of a variable resistor, and a second tracking resistor is connected on one side to said thermistor and on its other side to a second side of said variable resistor, the tap of the variable resistor being connected to an input of an operational amplifier and said common point being connected to a second input of said operational amplifier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |