Liquid crystal medical device

Claim 2

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing a first type of optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of outputs corresponding to said first type of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges by providing a second type of optical response when the temperature is within the temperature range of at least one of said thermochromic means, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said first type of optical response is a color response.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2, said liquid crystal means including liquid crystal material of the short pitch cholesteric type that is optically transparent at temperatures below a prescribed temperature and scatters colored light at temperatures above such prescribed temperature, the color of light scattered being a function of temperature.

Claim 5

The device of claim 2, said support means having an elastic characteristic to permit resilient stretching of the device.

Claim 6

The device of claim 2, said liquid crystal means comprising liquid crystal material in an elastic binder.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said thermochromic means comprises at least one material selected from the group including chiral nematic liquid crystal material, smectic liquid crystal material, a dispersion of liquid crystal material, and raw liquid crystal material.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1, wherein said at least two thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said first type of optical response thereof is a color response.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7, wherein said liquid crystal means are substantially optically transparent and colorless at temperatures outside the respective operational temperature ranges thereof.

Claim 10

The device of claim 7, wherein the temperature ranges of color response of at least two of said liquid crystal means are generally adjacent each other.

Claim 11

The device of claim 7, wherein the temperature ranges of color response of at least two of said liquid crystal means are at least partly overlapping.

Claim 12

The device of claim 7, wherein said support means comprises a flexible support capable of being placed in close contact with the body, and wherein each of said liquid crystal means comprises liquid crystal material having a temperature range of color response, and the ranges together cover from about 22 degrees C. to about 45 degrees C.

Claim 13

The device of claim 7, wherein such temperature ranges respectively are relatively lower and relatively higher than each other, and said distinguishing means distinguishes the temperature range of the liquid crystal means in the relatively lower temperature range.

Claim 14

The device of claim 7, wherein such temperature ranges respectively are relatively lower and relatively higher than each other, and said distinguishing means distinguishes the temperature range of the liquid crystal means in the relatively higher temperature range.

Claim 15

The device of claim 1, wherein said support means is capable of positioning with respect to at least part of a body.

Claim 16

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein said at least two thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said distinguishing means comprises a patterned arrangement of one of said liquid crystal means different from the arrangement of another of said liquid crystal means, whereby the temperature range is indicated as a function of the viewable pattern and the temperature in that range is a function of the color of the device.

Claim 17

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein said at least two thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said distinguishing means comprises a patterned arrangement of one of said liquid crystal means different from the arrangement of another of said liquid crystal means, whereby the temperature range is indicated as a function of the viewable pattern and the temperature in that range is a function of the color of the device.

Claim 18

The device of claim 15, said at least two liquid crystal means being positioned in superimposed overlapping relation, whereby while the temperature is in one temperature range such pattern is substantially visible as an indication thereof and while the temperature is in a different temperature range such pattern is substantially invisible.

Claim 19

The deice of claim 15, comprising at least three liquid crystal means, at least two of said liquid crystal means being arranged in a distinguishable pattern, and said liquid crystal means being positioned in superimposed overlapping relation, whereby the temperature range is indicated as a function of the viewable pattern and the temperature within that range is indicated as a function of the color of the device.

Claim 20

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical ranges of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein said distinguishing means comprises pattern means positioned between at least two of said thermochromic means for distinguishing between the temperature ranges of operation of the device.

Claim 21

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical ranges of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein said distinguishing means comprises pattern means positioned between at least two of said thermochromic means for distinguishing between the temperature ranges of operation of the device.

Claim 22

The device of claim 18, wherein said pattern means is a grid-like pattern to provide a separation indication between different temperature events.

Claim 23

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means; wherein at least one of said thermochromic means comprises first liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperatures in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response of said thermochromic means is a color response; and said device further comprising a second liquid crystal means and a third liquid crystal means, each liquid crystal means having a different respective temperature range of operation; and said distinguishing means comprising at least two distinguishing means one distinguishing means being positioned between said first liquid crystal means and said second liquid crystal means, the other distinguishing means being positioned between said second liquid crystal means and said third liquid crystal means, at least two of said distinguishing means having a viewable pattern cooperative with each other to provide a prescribed pattern when both are viewable and different prescribed pattern when only one is viewable, whereby the temperature range is indicated as a function of the viewable pattern of said distinguishing means and the actual temperature in such range is indicated as a function of the color of the device.

Claim 24

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means; wherein at least one of said thermochromic means comprises first liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperatures in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response of said thermochromic means is a color response; and said device further comprising a second liquid crystal means and a third liquid crystal means, each liquid crystal means having a different respective temperature range of operation; and said distinguishing means comprising at least two distinguishing means one distinguishing means being positioned between said first liquid crystal means and said second liquid crystal means, the other distinguishing means being positioned between said second liquid crystal means and said third liquid crystal means, at least two of said distinguishing means having a viewable pattern cooperative with each other to provide a prescribed pattern when both are viewable and different prescribed pattern when only one is viewable, whereby the temperature range is indicated as a function of the viewable pattern of said distinguishing means and the actual temperature in such range is indicated as a function of the color of the device.

Claim 25

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means; wherein at least one of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperatures in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response of said thermochromic means is a color response; and wherein said liquid crystal means are arranged in superpositioned relation in respective layers, and said distinguishing means comprises a pattern means on either the relatively top or bottom layer of liquid crystal means.

Claim 26

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means; wherein at least one of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperatures in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response of said thermochromic means is a color response; and wherein said liquid crystal means are arranged in superpositioned relation in respective layers, and said distinguishing means comprises a pattern means on either the relatively top or bottom layer of liquid crystal means.

Claim 27

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means; wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said liquid crystal means are arranged in superpositioned relation in respective layers, and said distinguishing means comprises a pattern means on either the relatively top or bottom layer of liquid crystal means, and said distinguishing means comprises a patterned arrangement of liquid crystal material of at least one of said liquid crystal means.

Claim 28

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means; wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said liquid crystal means are arranged in superpositioned relation in respective layers, and said distinguishing means comprises a pattern means on either the relatively top or bottom layer of liquid crystal means, and said distinguishing means comprises a patterned arrangement of liquid crystal material of at least one of said liquid crystal means.

Claim 29

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said support means comprises a substantially clear film, said at least two liquid crystal means comprising respective layers superimposed over each other for support by said film, and further comprising a black background means positioned opposite said film to absorb light incident thereon via transmission through said liquid crystal means.

Claim 30

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said support means comprises a substantially clear film, said at least two liquid crystal means comprising respective layers superimposed over each other for support by said film, and further comprising a black background means positioned opposite said film to absorb light incident thereon via transmission through said liquid crystal means.

Claim 31

The device of claim 23, said distinguishing means being positioned between respective layers of said liquid crystal means.

Claim 32

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said at least one of said liquid crystal means comprises a mixture of one or more of cholesteryl oleyl carbonate, cholesteryl nonanoate, cholesteryl pripionate, cholesteryl 2,4, dichlorobenzoate, and cholesteryl cinnamate.

Claim 33

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises liquid crystal means that has a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said at least one of said liquid crystal means comprises a mixture of one or more of cholesteryl oleyl carbonate, cholesteryl nonanoate, cholesteryl pripionate, cholesteryl 2,4, dichlorobenzoate, and cholesteryl cinnamate.

Claim 34

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises first liquid crystal means and second liquid crystal means each having a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said distinguishing means comprises pattern means positioned between said first liquid crystal means and said second liquid crystal means for distinguishing between the temperature ranges of operation of the device.

Claim 35

A liquid crystal device comprising at least two thermochromic means for providing an optical response with respect to temperature, each thermochromic means being operative in a respective temperature range to provide a range of optical response, the temperature ranges of optical response of said at least two thermochromic means being different, distinguishing means for distinguishing between respective temperature ranges in which the device is operational, and support means for supporting said at least two thermochromic means and said distinguishing means and wherein at least two of said thermochromic means comprises first liquid crystal means and second liquid crystal means each having a color characteristic responsive to temperature in an operational temperature range whereby said optical response thereof is a color response and wherein said distinguishing means comprises pattern means positioned between said first liquid crystal means and said second liquid crystal means for distinguishing between the temperature ranges of operation of the device.

Claim 36

The device of claim 26, further comprising third liquid crystal means, each liquid crystal means having a different respective temperature range of operation; and wherein said distinguishing means comprises at least two distinguishing means respectively positioned between said first liquid crystal means and said second liquid crystal means and said third liquid crystal means and either said first or said second liquid crystal means to distinguish the temperature ranges of operation of the device, each of said distinguishing means having a unique viewable pattern relative to the other, whereby the temperature range is indicated as a function of the viewable pattern of said distinguishing means and the actual temperature in such range is indicated as a function of the color of the device.

Claim 37

The device of claim 26, wherein said pattern means is a grid-like pattern to provide a separation indication between different temperature events.

Claim 38

The device of claim 1, wherein said second type of optical response is a viewable pattern.

Claim 39

The device of claim 2, wherein said second type of optical response is a viewable pattern.