Sealed probe chamber for thermometry apparatus

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/268,844, now abandoned, entitled: SEALED PROBE CHAMBER FOR THERMOMETRY APPARATUS, filed Oct. 10, 2002.

[0003] This invention relates to the field of thermometry and more particularly to a removable probe chamber for a thermometer apparatus that houses an oral or rectal probe that is wholly isolated from the remainder of the thermometer housing.

[0004] Electronic thermometry apparatus are prevalent in the health-care industry. These apparatus typically utilize a heat-sensitive probe connected to processing circuitry by means of at least one cable wherein the probe is stored in a sheath or well or other form of holder that is associated with a thermometer housing. In addition, the probes themselves are used with inexpensive, disposable plastic covers in which the probe is quickly inserted into a new probe cover just prior to taking a patient's temperature at a body site, such as the mouth or rectum. The probes themselves are often easily disconnected from the remainder of the thermometer and can be replaced in the event of malfunction or contamination.

[0005] Contamination of a thermometry probe is very possible with constant removal and reinsertion of disposable probe covers. In the event a probe cover is accidentally not applied and a patient is contacted, the probe could be reinserted back into the thermometer housing, thereby contaminating both the probe and the thermometer housing. Subsequent replacement of the probe will not alleviate this situation because each new probe will then become contaminated upon insertion into the holder. In addition, moisture and debris may attach itself to the probe and eventually fall off and accumulate in the well or holder. This accumulation can become a growth medium for infectious matter.

[0006] Previous attempts at solving the above-noted problem, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,614 to Turner et al., among others, have resulted in removable probe units that can be separated from the remainder of the thermometer housing. However, in each of these instances, contaminants can still enter the thermometry unit itself. Presently, there are no effective seals provided in a thermometry unit to prevent contamination.

[0007] It is a primary object of the present invention to avoid the above-noted problems that are found in the prior art.

[0008] It is a further primary object of the present invention to eliminate or substantially minimize cross-contamination which can occur between patients using a thermometry apparatus.

[0009] Therefore and according to a preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a probe receiving chamber for a temperature measuring apparatus, said apparatus including a temperature probe having at least one temperature responsive element connected to a housing, said probe being insertable into a body site of a patient to determine temperature thereof, said probe receiving chamber including a cavity sized for receiving said probe wherein said probe chamber is releasably attachable to said housing and is wholly enclosed so as to provide a fluid-tight seal when attached to said housing.

[0010] Preferably, the probe receiving chamber is made from materials which permits the chamber to be cleaned and/or replaced separately without having to replace the thermometry unit.

[0011] In addition, the probe receiving chamber also preferably includes means for automatically engaging at least one switch of the thermometry unit when a probe is removed from or placed into the housing so as to activate or shutdown the thermometry unit. According to one embodiment, the probe engages a deformable member provided within the probe receiving chamber which expands outwardly when engaged by the probe and sets the switch. According to another embodiment, an electrical or optical connection is disrupted based on the presence or removal of the probe from the probe receiving chamber as installed in the thermometer housing.

[0012] In accordance with another preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermometry apparatus used for measuring the temperature of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

[0013] a housing; and

[0014] an elongate temperature sensitive probe;

[0015] said housing further including a chamber releasably attachable to a receiving port of said housing sized for retaining said temperature sensitive probe, said chamber providing a fluid-tight seal relative to the remainder of the interior of said housing.

[0016] Preferably, a switch is disposed within the interior of the housing of the apparatus which is exterior to the probe receiving chamber, the apparatus further including means provided in the probe receiving chamber for automatically engaging said switch when a probe is one of added and removed from said chamber.

[0017] The switch can be mechanical in design or assume other forms. For example and according to another preferred embodiment, the switch can be opened and closed electrically or optically such as by breaking a light path between an emitter and detector.

[0018] In a preferred version, the switch engaging means includes a protruding interior member disposed within said chamber, said protruding interior member being sized to engage said probe when said probe is inserted into said chamber wherein at least a portion of said chamber is made from a flexible material such that contact with said probe causes elastic deformation of said chamber into engagement with said switch.

[0019] An advantage of the present invention is that providing a sealed isolation chamber for the temperature probe substantially reduces or eliminates the risk that contamination resulting from a thermometry probe will spread to the interior of the housing of the thermometry unit.

[0020] Another advantage of the present invention is that the probe receiving chamber is removable and can be separately cleaned or disposed of if contamination to the interior of the chamber does occur.

[0021] These and other objects, features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a thermometry apparatus including a probe receptacle made in accordance with the prior art;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a thermometry apparatus having an isolated probe chamber in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is the top perspective view of the probe receiving chamber of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the probe receiving chamber of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

[0026] FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of the probe receiving chamber taken through lines 5—5 of FIG. 4;

[0027] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate enlarged partial sectioned views of the thermometry apparatus illustrating the relationship between a thermometry probe and the probe receiving chamber of FIGS. 2-5;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a probe receiving chamber in accordance with another preferred aspect of the invention; and

[0029] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, in section, of the probe receiving chamber of FIG. 9.

[0030] The following relates to an apparatus for measuring body temperature of a patient. Prior to discussing the present invention, background is provided by referring to FIG. 1, in which there is shown a prior art thermometry apparatus 10. This known thermometry apparatus is defined by a housing 14 that includes a thermometry probe 18 tethered to the housing by means of a flexible electrical cable 22. The probe 18 is defined by a elongate member which is sized to be fitted into a body site, such as the mouth or rectum of a patient (not shown). The probe 18 is housed within a receiving cavity 38 of a probe receiving chamber 34 provided in a receptacle 36 of the housing 14. Typically, a disposable sheath in the form of a probe cover 26 is placed over the exterior of the elongate portion of the thermometry probe 18 prior to insertion into the body site. A source of thermometry probe covers 32 is provided on the housing 14 or otherwise. The probe 18 further includes a set of contacts 44, 48 that are electrically connected to the flexible electrical cable 22 and are provided near the distal end 52 thereof. The contacts 44, 48 engage a set of resiliently biased contacts 46, 50 provided within the bottom of the probe chamber 34 that are engaged upon when a thermometry probe 18 has been inserted therein, thereby automatically powering down the apparatus 10.

[0031] In use, the thermometry probe 18 is removed from the housing 14, opening the contacts 46, 50 and powering the apparatus 10. The probe 18 can then be inserted into an appropriate patient body site (e.g., mouth, rectum, etc.) wherein the temperature of the body site is represented on an instrument display (not shown).

[0032] Following use, the probe cover 26 is removed from the probe 18 and the probe is returned into the receiving cavity 36 of chamber 34. Insertion of the probe 18 into the bottom of the probe well completes the circuit, thereby powering down the apparatus 10.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, there is shown a thermometry apparatus 60 which is made in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As in the preceding, the apparatus 60 also includes a housing 64 which includes circuitry for processing a signal that is generated by a tethered probe 68 containing at least one temperature responsive element, such as a thermistor, the probe being sized for insertion into a patient body site, such as the sublingual pocket. The probe 68 is releasably connected in a manner commonly known to the instrument housing 64 by means of a flexible electrical cord 66, shown only partially in phantom in FIG. 2. As in the preceding, a disposable probe cover (not shown) can be placed in overlaying relation relative to the exterior of an elongate portion 72 of the probe 68 to avoid contamination wherein a source of covers (not shown) can be provided in a receptacle 70 provided on the rear of the instrument housing 64, the probe further including a handle 77 at an upper end thereof.

[0034] The housing 64 includes a user interface 67 on a front facing side that includes a display 65 as well as a plurality of control buttons 69 for controlling operation of the apparatus 60. The apparatus 60 is powered by a set of batteries (not shown) that are contained therein.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a probe receiving chamber 74 in accordance with the first embodiment invention is releasably attachable to the housing 64 and is fitted into a defined receiving cavity (not shown) thereof. The chamber 74 according to this embodiment is defined by a flexible elongate probe well 76 extending downwardly from an upper section 90, the chamber having a receiving aperture 80 extending therethrough that is appropriately sized for receiving the entirety of the probe 68. This aperture 80 is tapered inwardly so as to receive each of the elongate portion 72 of a probe 68 as well as the upper handle 77. The upper section 90 of the chamber 74 includes a pair of side walls 102, 106 as well as a top wall 110 that forms corresponding portions of the side walls and the top wall of the housing 64 when the chamber 74 is installed into the defined receiving cavity. The side wall 102 includes a slot 103 which permits the cord 66 of the probe 68 to be releasably connected to an electrical port (not shown) provided on the housing 64.

[0036] The elongate probe well 76 of the chamber 74 includes an opposing distal end 78 that includes an protruding interior element 84. A flexible wall portion 79 adjacent the protruding interior element 84 of the elongate well 76 is manufactured from a highly elastomeric material, wherein the interior of the probe chamber 74 is wholly isolated from the remainder of the interior of the housing 64, when attached thereto. As such, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the probe receiving chamber 74 and the remainder of the interior of the housing 64.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a switch 94 is disposed in relation to a circuit board 98 that enables electrical power for the apparatus 60 when a probe 68 is either inserted or removed from the housing 64. According to this embodiment, the switch 94 is pivotally mounted within the housing 64 so as to assume one of two positions; that is, a first or open position, as shown in FIG. 6, or a second or closed position relative to the circuit board 98, as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the switch 94 must be in the closed position wherein a contact 96 attached to the circuit board 98 is engaged by a corresponding contact of the switch in order to power the apparatus 60. The protruding interior element 84 of the elongate well 76 is manufactured with a sufficient 100 to permit adequate deformation when engaged upon by the probe 68 to overall height or thickness relative to the diameter of the well and that of the probe 68 induce pivoting of the switch 94 between the two positions, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0038] In operation, the probe receiving chamber 74 when it is attached to the defined receiving cavity of the housing 64 provides a receptacle for a temperature probe 68. The probe 68 can be removed from the chamber 74 and then used in a conventional manner to measure temperature through insertion in an appropriate body site of a patient. Upon completion, the disposable cover (not shown) is removed from the probe 68 and is discarded and the probe is then placed into the receiving aperture 80 of the chamber 74.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6 and when the thermometry probe 68 is first introduced into the chamber 74, the switch 94 is still set in the closed position with the switch contact enabled against the contact 96 of the circuit board 98. As the distal end of the probe 68 is further engaged with the probe well 76, as shown in FIG. 7, the distal end of the probe engages the interior protruding element 84, causing the element to expand outwardly due to the flexibility of the wall portion 79 of the elongate probe well 76, wherein the expanded tube then engages with the end of the pivotally mounted switch 94. The switch 94, as a result of the above engagement, is caused to pivot as shown by arrow 112 and to open with respect to the printed circuit board 98, as depicted according to FIG. 8, thereby powering down the apparatus 60.

[0040] Though the preceding referred specifically to a mechanical switch, other variations are possible embodying the inventive concepts herein.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a second embodiment of a thermometry apparatus are shown. For purposes of this discussion, the housing and probe configurations are nearly identical except where noted specifically herein. In this instance, a probe chamber 120 similarly includes a flexible elongate probe well 124 extending downwardly from an upper section 128, the chamber having a receiving aperture 132 extending therethrough that is appropriately sized for receiving the entirety of the probe 68, FIG. 2. As in the preceding, the receiving aperture 132 is inwardly tapered so as to receive each of the elongate portion 72, FIG. 2 and the upper portion 77, FIG. 2, of the probe 68, FIG. 2. Similarly, the upper section 128 of the chamber 120 includes a pair of side walls 136, 140 as well as a top wall 144 that when assembled thereto, form corresponding portions of the side walls and the top walls of the housing 64, FIG. 2, when the chamber is installed into the receiving cavity of the housing, the side wall 140 further including a slot 148 which permits the cord 66, FIG. 2, of the probe 68, FIG. 2, to be releasably connected to the housing.

[0042] Furthermore, and as in the preceding embodiment, the interior of the probe chamber 120 is wholly isolated from the remainder of the interior of the housing 64, FIG. 2, when installed thereto, such that an effective fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween.

[0043] In this embodiment and rather than including a mechanical pivoting switch, the housing of this apparatus includes an emitter 152 and a detector 156 that are mounted on respective walls 160, 164 of the receiving chamber of the thermometer housing. The emitter 152 and detector 156 are arranged oppositely to one another across the receiving chamber and face one another at a predetermined intermediate height and are connected electrically by conventional means. Preferably, the emitter 152 includes an IR diode or LED that transmits infrared light which can be detected by the detector 156 in the form of at least one photodetector.

[0044] Preferably, the entirety of the flexible probe well is made from an IR transmissive or IR transparent material. According to this embodiment, windows 168 are provided which are thinned areas of the same transparent material located such that the windows will index with the detector 156 and emitter 152 when placed in the receiving cavity of the housing.

[0045] In use, the sealed probe chamber 120 is inserted into the receiving cavity of the housing wherein the light path between the detector 156 and emitter 152 is not disturbed due to its transmissive nature until a probe 68, FIG. 2, breaks the contact of the IR light beam and therefore closes a switch which is electrically connected to automatically power down the unit. Likewise, removal of the probe 68 from the well 128 causes the detector 156 to receive light from the emitter 152 and automatically powers up the unit.

[0046] The probe chamber 74 is releasably attachable to the housing 64 in order to permit cleaning or sterilizing thereof wherein at least a portion of the chamber can be fabricated so as to be disposable. Preferably, the interior of the probe well 76 is also coated with or otherwise manufactured with an anti-microbial coating.

[0047] 10 apparatus

[0048] 14 housing

[0049] 18 thermometry probe

[0050] 22 flexible tether cord

[0051] 26 probe cover

[0052] 32 prove cover source

[0053] 34 probe receiving chamber

[0054] 36 receptacle

[0055] 38 receiving cavity

[0056] 42 switch

[0057] 44 contact

[0058] 46 contact

[0059] 48 contact

[0060] 50 contact

[0061] 60 thermometry apparatus

[0062] 64 housing

[0063] 65 display

[0064] 66 cord

[0065] 67 user interface

[0066] 68 probe

[0067] 69 actuable buttons

[0068] 70 receptacle

[0069] 72 elongate portion

[0070] 74 probe chamber

[0071] 75 distal end

[0072] 76 elongate probe well

[0073] 77 handle

[0074] 78 distal end

[0075] 79 flexible wall

[0076] 80 receiving aperture

[0077] 84 interior protruding element

[0078] 90 upper section

[0079] 94 switch

[0080] 96 contact

[0081] 98 circuit board

[0082] 100 spacing

[0083] 102 side wall

[0084] 106 side wall

[0085] 110 top wall

[0086] 112 arrow

[0087] 120 probe chamber

[0088] 124 elongate probe well

[0089] 128 upper section

[0090] 132 receiving aperture

[0091] 136 side wall

[0092] 140 side wall

[0093] 144 top wall

[0094] 148 slot

[0095] 152 emitter

[0096] 156 detector

[0097] 160 wall

[0098] 164 wall

[0099] 168 windows

[0100] Though the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it should be readily apparent that variants and modifications are possible within the intended scope of the invention. For example and though a pivoting switch is described in the exemplary embodiment, other functional arrangements between the sealed probe chamber and other forms of exterior switch(es) could be envisioned.