Radiation detector probe

Abstract

Tympanic temperature measurements are obtained from the output of a radiation sensor mounted in an extension from a housing. The housing has a temperature display and supports electronics for responding to sensed radiation. The sensor is mounted in an improved extension which is shaped to fit into smaller ear canals, such as a child's ear canal or a swollen adult ear canal. Within the extension, the sensor is positioned in a highly conductive environment and receives radiation from an external target through a tube. Electronics determine the target temperature based on the sensor output signal and a temperature sensor signal.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tympanic temperature detector comprising: 
 a housing adapted to be held by hand;    an extension from the housing adapted to be inserted into an ear, the extension supporting a radiation sensor and having a window at the end therefor through which the sensor receives radiation from a tympanic membrane area;    a temperature display on the housing for displaying tympanic temperature; and    battery powered electronics in the housing for converting radiation sensed by the sensor to temperature displayed by the display.