Autonomous Electromechanical Device for Contactless Measurement of Core Body Temperature

Continuous monitoring of body temperature is a major issue in the health care system due to the fact that sudden and extreme changes in body temperature are related to severe alterations in patient’s health. An innovative device with improved capabilities superior to the currently available infrared temperature sensors used for medical applications was invented. The device consists of a complex sensor module (CSM) and device body. The CSM works with 3 levels of mechanical freedom, which grants optimal dynamic repositioning in relation to the field of view, resulting in automatic continuous remote temperature measurement. The CSM incorporates a distance measurement sensor, main infrared sensor and secondary infrared sensor. The CSM is connected to control and processing unit. The processing unit and the control unit have a bidirectional connection for data transmission. A comparative analysis of the temperature values acquired by the autonomous contactless electromechanical device (thermo-i, Innovariver Ltd.) and Drager Infinity Delta patient monitor were performed. As a result, to the implementation of “IR noise elimination technology” the autonomous electromechanical device is capable to measure the patients’ core body temperature from a distance of 50 cm was invented. Although the distance between the patient and the device is increased more than 15 times, the accuracy of the measurements is preserved at the level which is being done from 3 cm distance without applying the invented technology. The device has a specific software and a sensor module, which operates autonomously and distantly from the patient, and positions itself automatically according to the patient’s body position. In contrast to the conventional infrared thermometers, our solution is self-operating, which reduces the human error risk, improves the workflow, and operates non-invasively at a convenient distance at the bedside of the patient.