Patent Application
20070268954
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In the embodiment depicted in
Referring now to
In another example, the target 33 further comprises a nest 41 shaped and sized for at least one of locating and orienting a sensing portion 43 (see
The portable test apparatus 25 further comprises a communication link 51 adapted to receive temperature-sensing information from the radiation-sensing thermometer 29. Various communication links 51 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the communication link 51 comprises a connector (also indicated 51) for connecting with the thermometer 29 via the communication wire 31. In another embodiment, the communication link 51 comprises a wireless communication device, such as a wireless network card, for connecting wirelessly with the thermometer 29. Other communication links 51 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The portable test apparatus 25 further comprises a processor 55 adapted to analyze the received temperature-sensing information and to provide an indication to a user about whether the thermometer 29 is functioning properly. The processor 55 is further adapted to provide a pass indication to the user if the thermometer 29 is functioning properly. The processor 55 is also adapted to provide a fail indication to the user if the thermometer 29 is functioning improperly. Because the portable test apparatus 25 includes a processor 55, there is no need to connect the apparatus to an additional computing device, such as a personal or laptop computer. This improves the portability of the apparatus 25 and allows a user to test the accuracy of a radiation-sensing thermometer 29 at virtually any location (e.g., in a hospital or in a physician's office).
The portable test apparatus 25 may further comprise a display 59 adapted to provide information to a user of the portable test apparatus, such as information relating to the tested thermometer 29. The pass and fail indications described above may be provided to the user via the display 59. Moreover, if the thermometer 29 is functioning improperly, in one embodiment, the processor 55 is further adapted to provide a failure analysis to the user. Similarly, if the thermometer 29 is not functioning improperly, in another embodiment, the processor 55 is further adapted to provide a pass analysis to the user. For example, the failure analysis may comprise at least one of (i) a failure code corresponding to a particular failure analysis (e.g., radiation sensor providing no signal, thermometer not connected properly, etc.) and (ii) an indication of the differences between the target temperatures and the temperatures sensed by the thermometer (e.g., error is ±0.5 degrees C., etc.). In another example, the pass analysis may comprise an indication of the differences between the target temperatures and the temperatures sensed by the thermometer. Again, the failure analysis or pass analysis may be provided to the user via the display 59. In another example, the display 59 is adapted to display the indication of the accuracy of the thermometer (e.g., thermometer is accurate to ±0.01 degrees C.). A variety of information may be displayed to the user on the display 59 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The portable test apparatus 25 may further comprise an audio device 63 adapted to provide auditory feedback to a user of the portable test apparatus. For example, a speaker, also noted with reference number 63, may be included in the apparatus 25 for providing auditory feedback to the user. The speaker 63 could, for example, alert the user that the target 33 has reached its target temperature, that the thermometer 29 is seated properly in the nest 41, or that the thermometer is working accurately, among others.
The portable test apparatus 25 may further comprise a data storage device interface 63 adapted to communicate with a data storage device for storing information, such as the temperature-sensing information received from the radiation-sensing thermometer 29. In one example, the data storage device interface 63 is adapted for communicating with a removable data storage device, such as a floppy disc, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or a removable, nonvolatile data storage device (e.g., Flash, EEPROM), among others, also utilized for storing information related to the thermometer testing. Such an data storage device interface 63 provides a low cost, readily available electronic interface that is portable and can communication with a portable data storage device (e.g., a USB drive). The removable data storage device may be adapted to store a variety of information. For example, the removable data storage device communicating with the data storage device interface 63 may store at least one of (i) the date of receipt of the temperature-sensing information, (ii) the time of receipt of the temperature-sensing information, (iii) the location of the portable test apparatus 25 upon receipt of the temperature-sensing information, (iv) the identity of the user of the portable test apparatus, (v) an identifier associated with the particular thermometer 29 being tested, (vi) a pass indication if the thermometer is functioning properly, and (vii) a fail indication if the thermometer is functioning improperly. In another embodiment, the removable data storage device (e.g., a USB drive) stores the calibration record according to the serial number of the thermometer 29 in a standard text file. The text file can be readily converted into other file types, such as spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft® Excel spreadsheets) or databases. Storage of the calibration record is often necessary for reporting requirements and record-retention policies. Other information may be stored on the removable data storage device by the portable test apparatus 25 without departing from the scope of the present invention. This information may be entered into the portable test apparatus 25 by a user, collected from a data source (e.g., the thermometer 29), or produced (e.g., calculated) by the processor 55. In another example, the portable test apparatus 25 may further comprise an internal memory 65 for storing information related to the thermometer testing, either in addition to or instead of the data storage device interface 63.
In an alternative embodiment, such as the embodiment of
Beyond indicating that the targets 33, 71 are warmed-up and ready for use, the LEDs 37, 73 may be utilized by the apparatus 25 to instruct the user regarding which target to use. For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 25 illuminates the first LED indicator 37 to indicate that the user should insert the thermometer 29 into the first target 33. The apparatus 25 further detects insertion of the thermometer 29 and prompts the user to press a test button. In another example, the apparatus 25 may detect insertion of the thermometer 29 and begin testing the thermometer 29, without requiring depression of the test button. Once testing of the thermometer 29 at the first target 33 is complete, the apparatus illuminates the second LED indicator 73 to indicate that the user should remove the thermometer 29 from the first target 33 and insert it into the second target 71. As with the first target 33, the apparatus 25 detects insertion of the thermometer 29 into the second target 71 and prompts the user to press the test button. In another example, the apparatus 25 may detect insertion of the thermometer 29 into the second target 71 and begin testing the thermometer 29, without requiring depression of the test button.
The embodiment of the portable test apparatus 25 depicted in
In still another embodiment, the portable test apparatus 25 comprises a user input device, generally indicated 87, adapted for use by a user in at least one of controlling and communicating with the test apparatus. Any number of user input devices 87 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the portable test apparatus 25 of
In still another alternative embodiment, another portable test apparatus 25 for testing the accuracy of a radiation-sensing thermometer 29 is disclosed. The portable test apparatus 25 of this embodiment comprises a communication link 51 and a processor 55 generally as set forth above. The portable test apparatus 25 also comprises the target 33, generally as set forth above. In addition to maintaining the target 33 at a single target temperature, the target is further adapted to be maintained at a first target temperature for sensing by the radiation-sensing thermometer 29 at a first time and at a second target temperature different from the first target temperature for sensing by the radiation-sensing thermometer at a second time. This allows a single target 33 to be used for two temperatures, thereby reducing the number of targets required for the apparatus 25.
In still another embodiment, a method, generally indicated 101, for testing the accuracy of a radiation-sensing thermometer 29 is disclosed. The method comprises connecting, at 105, the radiation-sensing thermometer 29 to a portable test apparatus 25 comprising a first target 33 and a second target 71, generally as set forth above.
The method also comprises sensing, at 109, the temperature of the first target 33 with the thermometer 29 and sending, at 113, the sensed temperature of the first target to the portable test apparatus 25. The method further comprises sensing, at 117 the temperature of the second target 71 with the thermometer and sending, at 121, the sensed temperature of the second target to the portable test apparatus.
The method further contemplates analyzing, at 125, the received sensed temperatures with the processor 55, generally as set forth above, of the portable test apparatus 25. In one example, the analyzing 125 further comprises determining, also at 125, that the thermometer is not functioning properly if any of the differences between the target temperatures and the respective temperatures sensed by the thermometer are greater than about ±0.3 degrees C. (±0.5 degrees F.). In another example, the analyzing 125 further comprises determining, also at 125, that the thermometer is not functioning properly if any of the differences between the target temperatures and the respective temperatures sensed by the thermometer are greater than about ±0.2 degrees C. (±0.4 degrees F.). As would be readily understood by one skilled in the art, in yet another example, the thermometer is determined to not function properly if it does not satisfy the guidelines set forth by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), as set forth in the European Standard entitled “Clinical thermometers—Part 5: Performance of infra-red ear thermometers (with maximum device).”
The method further provides, at 127, an indication to the user about whether the thermometer 29 is functioning properly. In one embodiment, the providing 127 further comprises providing, also at 127, a pass indication to the user if the thermometer 29 is functioning properly and providing a fail indication to the user if the thermometer is functioning improperly.
In one alternative embodiment, the method may further comprise repeating, at 131, the sensing 109 and sending 113 for the first target 33 before the providing 127. In another alternate embodiment, the method may further comprise repeating, at 137, the sensing 117 and sending 121 for the second target 71 before the providing 127. In one example, the first target 33 and second target 71 are each sensed 109,117 three times. These alternative embodiments provide further measurements for the first target 33 and the second target 71 to determine if the thermometer 29 measures the same temperature consistently. These repetitions may be repeated as many times as is required, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, the additional data points for each target 33, 71 may be averaged together in an effort to improve the testing, such as to minimize any slight variations in the temperatures of the targets during sensing 109,117.
In another exemplary embodiment, the method may further allow, at 141, the first target 33 to achieve the first target temperature before sensing 109 the temperature of the first target with the thermometer 29. The method may also comprise providing, at 145, a first indication that the first target 33 has reached the first target temperature and is ready for sensing 109 by the radiation-sensing thermometer 29 before sensing 109 the temperature of the first target with the thermometer. In the embodiment depicted in
In still another embodiment, the method may further comprise displaying, at 161, instructions for the user to perform at least one of the connecting 105, the sensing 109 the temperature of the first target with the thermometer, and the sensing 117 the temperature of the second target with the thermometer. For example, the method may further comprise displaying, at 165, at least one of a first progress indicator indicating the progress of the first target 33 in maintaining the first target temperature, such as during the initial warm-up of the portable test apparatus 25. The method may further comprise displaying, at 171, a second progress indicator indicating the progress of the second target 71 in maintaining the second target temperature. The user may review these progress indicators to determine if the portable test apparatus 25 is ready for use. In another example, the method may comprise displaying, also at 165, 171, a combined progress indicator indicating the progress of the first target 33 and second target 71 in maintaining their respective temperatures. The display of the progress indicators may take several forms, including progress bars and/or countdown timers, without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, the audio device 63 may provide auditory feedback to the user indicating the status of the progress indicators, including feedback that the targets 33, 71 are ready for use.
The method may further comprise displaying, also at 161, one or more selection elements (e.g., menus) for selection by the user to control the operation of the portable test apparatus 25. For example, the user may utilize the user input device 87 to select at least one of the language displayed by the apparatus 25, set or modify the current date and/or time, set or modify the location of use of the portable test apparatus, set or modify the identity of the user of the portable test apparatus, and/or set or modify an identifier associated with the particular thermometer 29 being tested.
Those skilled in the art will note that the order of execution or performance of the methods illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, it is contemplated by the inventors that elements of the methods may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
