Temperature sensing apparatus for use with a photo-thermal targeted treatment system and associated methods
Inventors
Hofvander, Henrik • Estes, Michael John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11754450-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a scanner arrangement for a temperature measurement system that measures a temperature of a measured surface. The scanner arrangement includes a first temperature sensor and a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein, and the first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface.
The first temperature sensor is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor. The reference surface includes a texture configured for directing reflections from any outside surface, other than from the reference surface, away from the field of view of the first temperature sensor.
The invention further situates the temperature measurement system in a photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium. The photo-thermal targeted treatment system includes a controller and a photo-thermal treatment unit and administers a treatment protocol using the photo-thermal treatment unit, with the temperature measurement system measuring a temperature of a measured surface covering at least a portion of the medium.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Both independent claims share a common measurement architecture: a first temperature sensor simultaneously viewing both a measured surface and a texture-equipped reference surface containing a second temperature sensor, with comparison for calibration.
Simultaneous measured-surface and reference-surface temperature measurement for calibration
A scanner arrangement for measuring a temperature of a measured surface, including a first temperature sensor and a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein, where the first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, and the first temperature sensor is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both portions.
Reference-surface comparison-based calibration of the first temperature sensor
The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.
Texture configured to direct outside-surface reflections away from the first temperature sensor field of view
The reference surface includes a texture thereon configured for directing reflections from any outside surface, other than from the reference surface, away from the field of view of the first temperature sensor.
Photo-thermal targeted treatment system using a calibrated temperature measurement system
A photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium, comprising a controller, a photo-thermal treatment unit, and a temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface covering at least a portion of the medium, where the controller is configured for administering a treatment protocol using the photo-thermal treatment unit and the temperature measurement system includes a first temperature sensor and a reference surface with a second temperature sensor integrated therein.
Across both independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the same: a temperature measurement system that simultaneously views the measured surface and an integrated reference surface, compares the reference-surface measurements to calibrate the first temperature sensor, and uses a reference-surface texture configured to direct outside-surface reflections away from the first temperature sensor’s field of view. The photo-thermal targeted treatment system claim incorporates this measurement system into administering a treatment protocol via a controller and a photo-thermal treatment unit.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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