Temporal artery temperature detector

Abstract

Body temperature measurements are obtained by scanning a thermal radiation sensor across the side of the forehead over the temporal artery. A peak temperature measurement is processed to compute an internal temperature of the body as a function of ambient temperature and the sensed surface temperature. The function includes a weighted difference of surface temperature and ambient temperature, the weighting being varied with target temperature through a minimum in the range of 96° F. and 100° F. The radiation sensor views the target surface through an emissivity compensating cup which is spaced from the skin by a circular lip of low thermal conductivity.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A body temperature detector comprising:
 a housing,   a radiation sensor which views a target surface area and provides a sensor output,   a reflective cup through which the radiation sensor views the target surface area, the cup having a proximal window at the base of the cup through which the radiation sensor views the target and an open distal diameter larger than the window and closer than the window to the target surface, the cup proximal to the radiation sensor being out of the field of view of the sensor;   a plastic cap in which the reflective cup is seated, the cap having a smooth lip of low thermal conductively material that spaces the reflective cup from the target surface, the cap being open over the reflective cup;   electronics that process the sensor output to provide a temperature output; and   a display that receives the temperature output and displays temperatures.   
     
     
         3 . A body temperature detector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the radiation sensor is a thermopile mounted in a can behind the proximal windows; and further comprising a heat sink seated in the cap and an O-ring pressed between the can and heat sink.