US5060657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hemispherical neurocalograph
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-06-21
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Granted: 1991-10-29
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Expires: 2010-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved probe for the measurement of the skin temperature of a living organism is provided. The probe has a probe head constructed of thermally and electrically insulative material and having a generally convex surface for skin contact. The probe head defines a depression in the surface wherein a thermocouple will lie. Additionally, provided is an apparatus using an improved first probe and an improved second probe mounted onto a housing in a mutually symmetrical relationship to measure the temperature differential of bilateral areas of the skin of a living organism.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Teague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/01; G; G01; G01K; G01K3/00; G01K3/08; G01K3/14; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/04; A61B2560/0406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A probe for the measurement of the skin temperature of a living organism comprising: a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface, said head defining a depression in said surface; and a thermocouple comprising the contact of two suitable metal wires attached within said depression, said depression of a depth such that said thermocouple will be in close proximity with the skin of said organism when said probe head is in contact with said skin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A probe for the measurement of the skin temperature of a living organism comprising: a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface, said head defining a depression in said surface; and a thermocouple comprising the contact of two suitable metal wires attached within said depression, said depression of a depth such that said thermocouple will be in close proximity with the skin of said organism when said probe head is in contact with said skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said probe head comprises a polyamide polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said thermocouple comprises the contact of copper wire with constantan wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a plastic filler material fills said depression to protect said thermocouple.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said plastic filler material is a black epoxy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said probe head contains a depression comprising intersecting channels of approximately equal depth, each said channel containing one wire extending longitudinally therein, said wires forming a thermocouple at the intersection of said channels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said thermocouple is formed by the tangent contact of parallel wires extending longitudinally within said depression.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe according to claim 1 wherein said thermocouple is formed by the contact of wires mutually crossing within said depression.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The probe head according to claim 1 wherein a loop is formed in each said wire, said loops mutually linking within said depression such that a thermocouple is formed by the contact of said loops with each other.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for the measurement of the temperature differential of bilateral areas of the skin of a living organism comprising: a first probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a second probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a thermocouple formed within each said depression of a size such that said thermocouple will be in close proximity with the skin of said organism when said probe head is in contact with said skin, each said thermocouple producing a voltage proportional to the temperature of said skin area; a housing onto which said probes are attached in a mutually symmetrical relationship whereby said probes can contact said bilateral areas; a differential amplifier having an inverting input and a non-inverting input; means providing electrical communication between the thermocouple of the first probe and said inverting input and further providing electrical communication between the thermocouple of the second probe and said non-inverting input whereby said amplifier generates an output signal proportional to said temperature differential; and, display means in electrical communication with said differential amplifier and said thermocouples such that said temperature differential can be monitored and interpreted by the user.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for the measurement of the temperature differential of bilateral areas of the skin of a living organism comprising: a first probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a second probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a thermocouple formed within each said depression of a size such that said thermocouple will be in close proximity with the skin of said organism when said probe head is in contact with said skin, each said thermocouple producing a voltage proportional to the temperature of said skin area; a housing onto which said probes are attached in a mutually symmetrical relationship whereby said probes can contact said bilateral areas; a differential amplifier having an inverting input and a non-inverting input; means providing electrical communication between the thermocouple of the first probe and said inverting input and further providing electrical communication between the thermocouple of the second probe and said non-inverting input whereby said amplifier generates an output signal proportional to said temperature differential; and, display means in electrical communication with said differential amplifier and said thermocouples such that said temperature differential can be monitored and interpreted by the user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said display means is a light emitting diode display attached on said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said display means is a chart recorder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said display comprises a light emitting diode display attached on said housing and further comprises a chart recorder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising switching means for switching said differential amplifier to have multiple gain values whereby the user of the apparatus can select a particular value depending upon the magnitude of the difference between said inverting input and said non-inverting input of said amplifier.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus for the measurement of the temperature differential of bilateral areas of the skin of a living organism comprising: a first probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a second probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a thermocouple formed within each said depression of a size such that said thermocouple will be in close proximity with the skin of said organism when said probe head is in contact with said skin, each said thermocouple producing a voltage proportional to the temperature of said skin area; a housing onto which said probes are attached in a mutually symmetrical relationship whereby said probes can contact said bilateral areas; means providing electrical communication between the thermocouple of said first head and the thermocouple of said second head such that a voltage output equal to the difference of the individual probe head voltages and thereby proportional to the temperature differential of said bilateral areas is generated; and display means in electrical communication with said thermocouples such that said temperature differential can be monitored and interpreted by the user.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
208 words
An apparatus for the measurement of the temperature differential of bilateral areas of the skin of a living organism comprising: a first probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a second probe comprising a thermally and electrically insulative probe head having a generally convex skin contact surface and defining a depression in said surface; a thermocouple formed within each said depression of a size such that said thermocouple will be in close proximity with the skin of said organism when said probe head is in contact with said skin, each said thermocouple producing a voltage proportional to the temperature of said skin area; a housing onto which said probes are attached in a mutually symmetrical relationship whereby said probes can contact said bilateral areas; means providing electrical communication between the thermocouple of said first head and the thermocouple of said second head such that a voltage output equal to the difference of the individual probe head voltages and thereby proportional to the temperature differential of said bilateral areas is generated; and display means in electrical communication with said thermocouples such that said temperature differential can be monitored and interpreted by the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said display means is a chart recorder with an integral input 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) | 1994-10-28 | 1995-04-29 | 1995-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-28 | 1999-04-29 | 1999-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-28 | 2003-04-29 | 2003-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |