Non-contact core body temperature measurement systems and methods
Inventors
Telfort, Valery G. • Al-Ali, Ammar
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12220207-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-11
Expiration Date
2040-02-26
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Abstract
A non-contact temperature measurement system for calculating estimated core body temperature is disclosed. The temperature measurement system can include a sensor that can detect the temperature of a patient and the temperature of ambient surrounding. The temperature of the patient and the ambient temperature can then be used to determine a core body temperature. The temperature measurement system includes an optical module having a light emitter and a light detector. The light emitter emits a beam of light towards the patient and the light detector detects a beam of light reflected by the patient. The reflected beam is analyzed to determine a distance between the temperature measurement system and the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods for non-contact estimation of a patient's core body temperature by utilizing a sensor to detect the surface temperature of a patient and a separate sensor to measure the ambient temperature. The combination of skin temperature and ambient temperature measurements allows for calculating an estimated core body temperature without requiring direct physical contact with the patient.
Accurate monitoring of core body temperature is crucial for assessing patient health and detecting harmful conditions such as infection, cardiac arrest, or trauma. Traditional methods of measuring core temperature can be either invasive or inaccurate, particularly when only peripheral temperature is measured. The patent specifically addresses the need for a non-invasive, accurate, and efficient way to estimate core body temperature using optical and temperature sensing techniques, suitable for use in clinical environments.
Key elements include a sensor system with an infrared temperature sensor for non-contact detection, noise reduction and data processing methods to exclude inaccurate measurements, and an ambient temperature sensor. An optical module with a light emitter and detector determines the distance to the patient, ensuring measurements are taken at an optimal range. Calculated core body temperature is conveyed to care providers using display modules that can indicate temperature through variable color schemes, blinking frequencies, and legibility, depending on measured values and positioning.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering systems and methods for non-contact core body temperature estimation, featuring inventive aspects related to sensor data processing, distance measurement, display, and heat transfer modeling.
Non-contact temperature measurement system with dual sensors and data exclusion based on statistical thresholds
A temperature measurement system comprising: - A first infrared temperature sensor for detecting skin surface temperature from a distance. - A second sensor for detecting ambient air temperature. - A processor programmed to: - Access a first data set from the infrared sensor representing surface temperature. - Calculate a mean surface temperature from the data set. - Exclude portions of the data set that differ from the mean by more than a threshold based on standard deviation. - Recalculate mean surface temperature from the filtered data. - Access ambient air temperature data. - Determine core body temperature based at least on the recalculated mean surface temperature and ambient temperature data.
Method for determining core body temperature using statistical data filtering and ambient temperature integration
A method comprising: 1. Accessing skin temperature data from a non-contact infrared sensor. 2. Calculating a mean surface temperature and filtering data points that exceed a threshold difference from the mean, where the threshold is based on standard deviation. 3. Recalculating mean temperature from the filtered data. 4. Accessing ambient air temperature data from a separate sensor. 5. Determining core body temperature based on the processed surface and ambient temperature data.
In summary, the inventive features center on using dual temperature sensors (skin and ambient), advanced data exclusion through statistical measures, and a processor for accurate, non-contact core body temperature determination. Both system and method claims provide for improved estimation accuracy by automating data quality filtering and integrating ambient context.
Stated Advantages
Enables accurate estimation of core body temperature without direct physical contact, improving patient comfort and reducing invasiveness.
Improves data accuracy by using noise reduction and signal quality filtering, removing inaccurate or noisy measurements before calculating core temperature.
Allows for fast and non-intrusive temperature monitoring suitable for use in clinical and care environments.
Provides feedback on correct sensor positioning using optical modules and display indicators, enhancing reliability of measurements.
Displays estimated core body temperature with variable characteristics such as color or blinking frequency, enabling easy identification of abnormal temperature readings by care providers.
Documented Applications
Non-contact core body temperature estimation for patients in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics.
Temperature monitoring of patients at the forehead or other body surfaces, allowing assessment without repositioning or disturbing the patient.
Clinical environments where rapid, accurate, and non-invasive temperature measurement is required for detecting conditions such as infection, cardiac arrest, stroke, or trauma.
Use in conjunction with pulse oximeter sensors or remote patient monitoring systems for comprehensive patient assessment.
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