Importance

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Abstract

A two-piece portable, self-contained tympanic thermometer temperature measuring system includes a measuring unit and a base unit. The measuring unit can be ergonomically designed as a compact, pencil-shaped, easy to hold unit that includes a removable sensing module that interfaces with the base unit and/or other host via digital signaling. All analog circuitry can be self-contained within the sensor module, and the sensing module circuitry components may be potted with thermally conductive epoxy to reduce variations due to differences in component temperatures. The sensing module casing may be made out of a conductor to provide electromagnetic field isolation. The sensing module can include a microcontroller that communicates with a microcontroller in the base unit via a removable modular 4-conductor telephone handset cord. The measuring unit preferably has the capability to measure the amount of pressure it is applying to the patient's ear--and thus, the ability to sense when it is in position and has sealed the patient's outer ear canal. Temperature measurement can be performed automatically and/or inhibited in response to this pressure sensing.

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First Claim