Deep tissue temperature probe constructions

Abstract

A disposable, zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature probe is constructed using a support assembly with multiple sections folded together or separated into strata during assembly of the probe. The sections support elements of the probe, including thermal sensors and a thermal resistor between the thermal sensors. Optionally, one of the sections supports a heater.

1 . A zero-heat-flux temperature probe comprising:
 a two-sided substrate;   a heater disposed on the substrate;   a plurality of sections defined in the substrate, in which each section is joined to at least one adjacent section at a common peripheral location;   two thermal sensors, each of the two thermal sensors supported on a respective one of two adjacent sections;   the two adjacent sections folded together at a common peripheral location joining the two sections, wherein the folded two adjacent sections are in a stack configuration; and   a lead support tab projecting outwardly of a periphery of one of the plurality of sections and leads on the lead support tab for the heater and the thermal sensors,   wherein one of the plurality of sections has a generally round shape with the heater disposed thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sections are the two adjacent sections, each of the two thermal sensors is mounted on a major support surface of a respective one of the two sections, and the sections are folded together in clam shell fashion such that the two thermal sensors face each other. 
     
     
         3 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sections are three sections, each section has opposing major support surfaces, a first thermal sensor is mounted on a first major support surface of a first section of the two adjacent sections, the second thermal sensor is mounted on a second major support surface of the second section of the two adjacent sections, and the three sections are folded together such that the two thermal sensors face in the same direction. 
     
     
         4 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 3 , wherein the heater is positioned to sandwich one of the two adjacent sections between the heater and the other of the two adjacent sections. 
     
     
         5 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 4 , wherein the heater is supported on a major support surface of the third section. 
     
     
         6 . A zero-heat-flux temperature probe comprising:
 a sheet of flexible material with two sides;   a heater disposed on the sheet of flexible material;   two or more sections defined in the sheet;   two of the two or more sections joined at a peripheral location;   two thermal sensors, each of the two thermal sensors supported on a respective one of the two or more sections;   the two of the two or more sections folded together, wherein the folded two sections are in a stack configuration; and   a lead support tab projecting outwardly of a periphery of the sheet of flexible material and leads on the lead support tab for the heater and the thermal sensors,   wherein one of the two or more sections has a generally round shape with the heater disposed thereon.   
     
     
         7 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 6 , wherein each of the thermal sensors is a thermocouple. 
     
     
         8 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 7 , wherein the two sections are folded together in clam shell fashion such that the thermal sensors are disposed in a stacked configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 7 , wherein each thermocouple includes a copper disk supported on a surface of a respective section and a chromel wire, wherein the copper disk is attached to the chromel wire at a thermocouple junction. 
     
     
         10 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 6 , wherein the sheet is a flexible sheet of thermally insulating material. 
     
     
         11 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 10 , wherein the sheet is coated with a copper film on each side. 
     
     
         12 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 11 , wherein each copper film is etched to form an element of a respective one of the thermal sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 11 , wherein one copper film is etched to form the heater. 
     
     
         14 . A zero-heat-flux temperature probe comprising:
 a substrate having a center;   a heater disposed on a periphery of the substrate;   two support sections extending from the periphery of the substrate toward the center and disposed within the periphery;   two thermal sensors, each of the two thermal sensors supported on a respective one of the support sections; and,   a thermal resistor disposed between and separating the two support sections into strata.   
     
     
         15 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 14 , in which the substrate has a circumferential periphery and the two support sections are disposed in an opposing or an adjacent relationship, inwardly of the periphery. 
     
     
         16 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 15 , in which the substrate has the shape of an annulus with the heater disposed thereon and the two support sections project inwardly of the annulus. 
     
     
         17 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 15 , further comprising a lead support tab projecting outwardly of the circumferential periphery and leads on the lead support tab for the heater and the thermal sensors. 
     
     
         18 . The zero-heat-flux temperature probe of  claim 15 , in which the thermal sensors are thermocouples.