US5445158A — Radiation detector probe

Claim 1

Independent Claim 86 words

A radiation detector comprising: an infrared radiation sensor positioned in a low thermal conductivity environment; and an elongated thermally conductive tube extending from a distal end to be directed toward a target to a rear volume of larger cross-sectional area than the tube, in which the sensor is mounted, the tube providing a field of view from the sensor of about sixty degrees or less, the tube and the walls of the rear volume being of high thermal conductivity and thermally coupled to the radiation sensor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 86 words

A radiation detector comprising: an infrared radiation sensor positioned in a low thermal conductivity environment; and an elongated thermally conductive tube extending from a distal end to be directed toward a target to a rear volume of larger cross-sectional area than the tube, in which the sensor is mounted, the tube providing a field of view from the sensor of about sixty degrees or less, the tube and the walls of the rear volume being of high thermal conductivity and thermally coupled to the radiation sensor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tube comprises a non-reflective inner surface for preventing radiation incapable of passing directly through the tube from being provided to the sensor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tube provides a narrow field of view of about thirty degrees or less.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the non-reflective inner surface of the tube is formed of metal oxide.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 21 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a window mounted adjacent to an end of the tube.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an extension surrounding the tube and having a distal end adapted to be inserted into an ear canal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the extension has an increasing diameter along its length from its distal end forming a substantially conical shape.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 7 wherein the conical shape further includes an included angle of about 25-60 degrees.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 45 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 7 wherein the extension has a diameter of less than about 7 mm along a portion of its length extending from its distal end such that the extension is adapted to be inserted into a normal ear canal.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 7 wherein the extension has a diameter of about 3-6 mm along a portion of its length extending from its distal end such that the extension is adapted to be inserted into a small ear canal.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the extension has a substantially constant diameter along a first portion of its length from its distal end and an increasing diameter along a second portion of its length extending from the first portion.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tube comprises a reflective inner surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 21 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a window mounted adjacent to the distal end of the tube.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 13 wherein the window is a lens.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 46 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the tube and the field of view through the radiation tube from the sensor are such that the sensor only views an ear canal within less than about 1 centimeter of a tympanic membrane.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 36 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the length of the tube and the field of view through the tube from the sensor are such that the sensor only views substantially the tympanic membrane.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 31 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor is a thermopile and the inner RC time constant is for the response of a cold junction of the thermopile.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 54 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 17 wherein an outer thermal RC time constant for thermal conduction through a thermal barrier to the tube is at least two orders of magnitude greater than an inner thermal RC time constant for the thermopile junction to heat transferred to the tube through the thermal barrier.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 60 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rigid structure of high thermal conductivity material positioned in the rear volume and thermally coupled to the tube and a window mounted on the rigid structure and thermally coupled thereto, wherein the sensor is mounted across an opening in the rigid structure and receives radiation through the window.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 14 wherein rigid structure is beryllium oxide.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 125 words

A radiation detector comprising: a thermopile sensor and; a thermal mass enclosing the sensor in a low conductivity environment the thermal mass being formed of unitary structure of high thermal conductivity material, the unitary thermal structure comprising an elongated high thermal conductivity tube of a first internal diameter extending from the distal end to a rear volume of larger internal diameter in which the sensor is mounted, the unitary thermal structure having an outer surface with an outer diameter at its distal end which is less than an outer diameter about the rear volume, the outer surface being tapered about the tube such that a unitary thermal mass of increasing outer diameter is provided about the end of the tube adjacent to the rear volume.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 125 words

A radiation detector comprising: a thermopile sensor and; a thermal mass enclosing the sensor in a low conductivity environment the thermal mass being formed of unitary structure of high thermal conductivity material, the unitary thermal structure comprising an elongated high thermal conductivity tube of a first internal diameter extending from the distal end to a rear volume of larger internal diameter in which the sensor is mounted, the unitary thermal structure having an outer surface with an outer diameter at its distal end which is less than an outer diameter about the rear volume, the outer surface being tapered about the tube such that a unitary thermal mass of increasing outer diameter is provided about the end of the tube adjacent to the rear volume.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 32 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 21 further comprising an additional thermal mass surrounding the rear volume and a portion of the tube and thermally coupled to the unitary thermal structure.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 21 wherein the tube provides a narrow field of view from the thermopile of about sixty degrees or less.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 26 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a window mounted to the unitary thermal structure adjacent to an end of the tube.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 46 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 21 wherein the length of the tube and the field of view through the tube from the thermopile are such that the sensor only views an ear canal within less than about 1 centimeter of a tympanic membrane.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 62 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a rigid structure of high thermal conductivity material positioned in the rear volume and thermally coupled to the unitary thermal structure, a window mounted on the rigid structure and thermally coupled thereto and the thermopile is being mounted across an opening in the rigid structure and receives radiation through the window.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

A tympanic temperature detector as claimed in claim 26 wherein the rigid structure is comprised substantially of beryllium oxide.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 53 words

A radiation detector comprising: an infrared radiation sensor for receiving radiation from an external target; and a thermally conductive tube passing radiation from the external target to the sensor, the tube having a non-reflective inner surface for substantially preventing radiation incapable of passing directly through the tube from being provided to the sensor.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 53 words

A radiation detector comprising: an infrared radiation sensor for receiving radiation from an external target; and a thermally conductive tube passing radiation from the external target to the sensor, the tube having a non-reflective inner surface for substantially preventing radiation incapable of passing directly through the tube from being provided to the sensor.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 14 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 28 wherein the sensor is a thermopile.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 28 wherein the tube provides a narrow field of view from the sensor of about thirty degrees or less.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of obtaining ear temperature comprising: providing a radiation detector comprising an extension having an infrared radiation sensor for receiving radiation from an external target and a thermally conductive tube for passing radiation from the external target to the sensor, the detector further comprising electronics for detecting the peak radiation sensed by the sensor; inserting the extension into an ear; pivoting the extension to scan the ear canal, the sensor sensing radiation during scanning; and detecting the peak radiation to obtain an ear temperature in the electronics.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of obtaining ear temperature comprising: providing a radiation detector comprising an extension having an infrared radiation sensor for receiving radiation from an external target and a thermally conductive tube for passing radiation from the external target to the sensor, the detector further comprising electronics for detecting the peak radiation sensed by the sensor; inserting the extension into an ear; pivoting the extension to scan the ear canal, the sensor sensing radiation during scanning; and detecting the peak radiation to obtain an ear temperature in the electronics.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein the extension is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein the sensor senses a narrow field of view of sixty degrees or less.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein the sensor senses a narrow filed of view of about thirty degrees or less and the extension has a substantially conical shape along a portion of its length from its distal end.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 42 words

A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the extension has a diameter of about 3-6 mm along a portion of its length from its distal end, the conical shape of the extension further including an included angle of about 25-60 degrees.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the extension is inserted into an ear canal up to about one-third of the length of the ear canal.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 64 words

A radiation detector comprising an infrared radiation sensor mounted within a can and a tube of lesser internal diameter than the can and integral with the can, the tube having a gas tight window at a distal end thereof through which radiation passes to the sensor, a gaseous environment being maintained about the sensor within the can and through the length of the tube.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 64 words

A radiation detector comprising an infrared radiation sensor mounted within a can and a tube of lesser internal diameter than the can and integral with the can, the tube having a gas tight window at a distal end thereof through which radiation passes to the sensor, a gaseous environment being maintained about the sensor within the can and through the length of the tube.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 22 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 37 wherein the interior of the can is open to the interior of the tube.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 110 words

A radiation detector comprising: an infrared radiation sensor positioned in a low thermal conductivity environment; and an elongated thermally conductive tube extending from a distal end to be directed toward a target to a rear volume in which the sensor is mounted, the tube providing a field of view from the sensor of about sixty degrees or less; wherein an outer thermal RC time constant for thermal conduction through a thermal barrier to the tube is at least two orders of magnitude greater than an inner thermal RC time constant for the temperature response of a radiation sensor reference junction to heat transferred to the tube through the thermal barrier.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 110 words

A radiation detector comprising: an infrared radiation sensor positioned in a low thermal conductivity environment; and an elongated thermally conductive tube extending from a distal end to be directed toward a target to a rear volume in which the sensor is mounted, the tube providing a field of view from the sensor of about sixty degrees or less; wherein an outer thermal RC time constant for thermal conduction through a thermal barrier to the tube is at least two orders of magnitude greater than an inner thermal RC time constant for the temperature response of a radiation sensor reference junction to heat transferred to the tube through the thermal barrier.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 15 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 39 wherein the radiation sensor is a thermopile.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 121 words

A radiation detector comprising; an infrared radiation sensor; and a unitary structure of high thermal conductivity material enclosing the sensor in a low conductivity environment and in close thermal contact with the sensor, the unitary thermal structure comprising a tube of a first internal diameter extending from an opening to a rear volume of larger internal diameter in which the sensor is mounted, the unitary thermal structure having an outer surface with an outer diameter at its end adjacent to the opening which is less than an outer diameter about the rear volume, the outer surface of the unitary thermal structure being tapered about the tube such that a unitary thermal mass of increasing outer diameter is provided about the tube.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 121 words

A radiation detector comprising; an infrared radiation sensor; and a unitary structure of high thermal conductivity material enclosing the sensor in a low conductivity environment and in close thermal contact with the sensor, the unitary thermal structure comprising a tube of a first internal diameter extending from an opening to a rear volume of larger internal diameter in which the sensor is mounted, the unitary thermal structure having an outer surface with an outer diameter at its end adjacent to the opening which is less than an outer diameter about the rear volume, the outer surface of the unitary thermal structure being tapered about the tube such that a unitary thermal mass of increasing outer diameter is provided about the tube.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 36 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 41 further comprising an additional thermal mass surrounding the rear volume and a portion of the unitary thermal mass and in close thermal contact with the unitary thermal structure.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 26 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 41 wherein the tube provides a narrow filed of view from the sensor of about sixty degrees or less.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 28 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 41 further comprising a window of transparent material mounted to the unitary thermal structure adjacent to an end of the tube.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 43 words

A radiation detector as claimed in claim 41 wherein the length of the tube and the field of view through from the sensor are such that the sensor only views an ear canal within less than about 1.0 centimeter of a tympanic membrane.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 109 words

A tympanic temperature detector comprising: a radiation sensor; a can enclosing the radiation sensor in a low conductivity environment, the can comprising a tube extended from an opening to a rear volume in which the radiation sensor is mounted, the tube providing a field of view from the radiation sensor of about sixty degrees or less; and wherein an outer thermal RC time constant for thermal conduction through a thermal barrier to the can is at least two orders of magnitude greater than an inner thermal RC time constant for the temperature response of a radiation sensor reference junction to heat transferred to the can through the thermal barrier.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 109 words

A tympanic temperature detector comprising: a radiation sensor; a can enclosing the radiation sensor in a low conductivity environment, the can comprising a tube extended from an opening to a rear volume in which the radiation sensor is mounted, the tube providing a field of view from the radiation sensor of about sixty degrees or less; and wherein an outer thermal RC time constant for thermal conduction through a thermal barrier to the can is at least two orders of magnitude greater than an inner thermal RC time constant for the temperature response of a radiation sensor reference junction to heat transferred to the can through the thermal barrier.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 27 words

A temperature sensor as claimed in claim 46 further comprising a window of transparent material mounted to the unitary thermal structure adjacent an end of the tube.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 44 words

A tympanic temperature sensor as claimed in claim 46 wherein the length of the tube and the field of view through the tube from the sensor are such that the thermopile only views an ear canal within about 1.5 centimeters of a tympanic membrane.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 45 words

A tympanic temperature sensor as claimed in claim 46 wherein the length of the radiation guide and the field of view through the tube from the thermopile are such that the thermopile only views an ear canal within about 1.0 centimeter of a tympanic membrane.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-08-28	1999-02-27	1999-08-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-08-28	2003-02-27	2003-08-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-08-28	2007-02-27	2007-08-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Radiation detector probe

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