US3884219A - System for determining temperature and respiration rate - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for determining the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient comprises an elongate cylindrical probe. A thermistor is supported in the tip of the probe for positioning in the mouth of a patient to generate an output signal indicative of the patient''s temperature. A respiration transducer is supported on the probe in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient and functions to generate an output signal indicative of the patient''s respiration rate. A disposable cover is provided for enclosing the probe during use. The cover includes a plastic body extending to a metal tip which engages the thermistor to promote heat transfer thereto, and a cup-shaped member supported on the body for directing air exhaled by the patient across the respiration transducer.

Description

United States Patent Richardson et al.

SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING TEMPERATURE AND RESPIRATION RATE Inventors: Philip C. Richardson; Emmett L.

Hudspeth; Allen D. Boger, Jr.; Jerald P. Dykstra, all of Austin, Tex.

Assignee: Medical Monitor Systems, Inc.,

Austin, Tex.

Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 Appl. No.: 346,952

US. Cl 128/2 R; 128/2 H; 128/DIG. 4 Int.Cl A6lb 5/00 Field of Search 128/2 R, 2 C, 2 H, 2 M, l28/DlG. 13, 409, 407, 2.05 E, 2.05 F, 2.1 Z, 2.08, DIG. 4; 73/344 R, 345 R, 343 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Krause et al 73/ 344 3,738,173 6/1973 Sato 73/343 R Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant E.\-aminerHenry J. Recla Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichards, Harris & Medlock [57] ABSTRACT A system for determining the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient comprises an elongate cylindrical probe. A thermistor is supported in the tip of the probe for positioning in the mouth of a patient to generate an output signal indicative of the patients temperature. A respiration transducer is supported on the probe in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient and functions to generate an output signal indicative of the patients respiration rate. A disposable cover is provided for enclosing the probe during use. The cover includes a plastic body extending to a metal tip which engages the thermistor to promote heat transfer thereto. and a cup-shaped member supported on the body for directing air exhaled by the patient across the respiration transducer.

23 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEB HAYZU I975 SHEET 10F 2 Figure 3 SHEET 2 OF 2 92 80 l L I\\ J/I Figure 7 1 SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING TEMPERATURE AND RESPIRATION RATE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to temperature and respiration rate determining systems, and more particularly to an electronic system for simultaneously determining the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient.

At the present time, there is considerable interest in electronic systems for gathering and processing medical data. One factor underlying this activity is the spiraling costs of medical services. Electronic systems typically operate very rapidly and are often adapted for automatic or semi-automatic actuation. By this means the time consuming manual operations which have heretofore been involved in gathering and processing medical data are reduced if not entirely eliminated. This in turn produces a substantial reduction in the costs involved in gathering and processing such data.

Another factor involved in the increasing use-of electronic systems in medical data gathering and processing functions involves the accuracy and reliability of the resulting data. Electronic systems are often considerably more accurate than corresponding manual systems, and often are capable of obtaining data which is simply not available from other sources. Moreover, electronic medical data gathering and processing systems are often adapted for use in conjunction with associated electronic computing and/or recording apparatus. By this means the possibilities of error which are always present in manual data gathering and processing procedures are completely eliminated.

The present invention relates to an electronic system for simultaneously determining the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided an elongate probe having suitable dimensions for positioning in the mouth of a patient. A temperature responsive member is mounted at the tip of the probe and is therefore adapted to produce an output indicative of the temperature of the patient.

A respiration responsive member is mounted on the probe at a point displaced from the tip. The respiration responsive member is therefore positioned in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient. By this means the respiration responsive member produces an output indicative of the respiration rate of the patient.

In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the probe is enclosed during use by a removable cover which is disposable or at least semi-disposable. The cover includes a plastic body extending to a metal tip which contacts the temperature responsive member. The temperature responsive member is therefore actuated by heat transfer through the disposable cover. A cup-shaped member is supported on the body of the cover and includes a cylindrical portion which receives the respiration responsive member. The cup-shaped member functions to direct air exhaled through the nose of the patient across the respiration responsive member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an electronic medical data acquisition system utilizing the invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the use of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a system for determining temperature and respiration rate incorporating a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a system for determining temperature and respiration rate incorporating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged illustration of certain features of the second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the present invention is utilized in conjunction with an electronic medicaldata acquisition system 10. Thedata acquisition system 10 includes a data display andrecording unit 12 comprising a plurality ofcontrol keys 14 and adata display screen 18. A temperature and respirationrate determining system 20 incorporating the present invention is connected to the display andrecording unit 12 by acable 22. Similarly, a pulserate determining system 24 is connected to the display andrecording unit 12 by acable 26.

In the use of thedata acquisition system 10, the temperature and respirationrate determining system 20 is utilized to generate signals indicative of the temperature and the respiration rate of the patient. These signals are fed to the display and recordingunit 12 through thecable 22. At the same time, the pulserate determining system 24 is utilized to generate signals indicative of the pulse rate of the patient. These signals are fed to the display and recordingunit 12 through thecable 26.

Within the display andrecording unit 12 the signals generated by the temperature and respirationrate determining system 20 and by the pulserate determining system 24 are converted to temperature, respiration, and pulse rate information. This information is stored within the data display andrecording unit 12, and is displayed on thedisplay screen 18 thereof either automatically or by actuatingappropriate control keys 14. The data display andrecording unit 12 is further adapted to transfer the stored data to associated computing and/or recording equipment, whereby the data may be further processed, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, there is shown a temperature and respirationrate determining system 30 incorporating a first embodiment of the invention. Thesystem 30 comprises anelongate probe 32 including aholder 34. Abarrel 36 is slidably received in theholder 34 and is biased outwardly by aspring 38. Atube 40 extends rearwardly from thebarrel 36 to ahandle 42 having acap 44 received therein. The component parts of theprobe 32 other than the tube may be formed from a suitable plastic such as Delrin, Lexan," polystyrene, etc., and thetube 40 may be formed from stainless steel, or the like.

As is best shown in FIG. 8, afirst transducer 45 is mounted in the end of the barrel. 36 of theprobe 32 remote from thehandle 42. Thetransducer 45 is enclosed by ametal cover 46 which projects from the end of thebarrel 36 to define the tip of theprobe 32. Refer ring to FIG. 6 asecond transducer 48 is mounted in thebarrel 36 at a point substantially displaced from the tip of theprobe 32. Thetransducer 48 extends angularly upwardly relative to the remaining components of theprobe 32. Thetransducers 45 and 48 are both connected to acable 50 extending through thebarrel 36, thetube 40, thehandle 42, and thecap 44, and serving to connect thetransducers 45 and 48 to associated apparatus, for example, the data display andrecording unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Thefirst transducer 45 is preferably a temperature sensitive transducer, and as such may comprise a thermistor or other temperature sensitive component. The second transducer may also comprise a temperature sensitive transducer, if desired. However, as will become more apparent hereinafter, the transducer may also comprise apparatus responsive to the moisture content of the breath, apparatus responsive to pressure exerted by exhaled breath, etc.

The temperature and respirationrate determining system 30 further includes aprobe cover 52. Thecover 52 is removable, and preferably is disposable, i.e., adapted for one-time use only, or at least semidisposable, i.e., adapted for use by a single patient only. Thecover 52 comprises abody 54 formed from a suitable plastic material such as polystyrene, and having interior dimensions substantially similar to the exterior dimensions of theprobe 32. Ametal cap 56 is secured to the end of thebody 54 corresponding to the tip of theprobe 32. Thecap 56 is preferably rigidly secured to thebody 54, such as by molding material of thebody 54 around thecap 56.

The probe cover 52 further includes aspherical disk 58 mounted on thebody 54. Anaperture 60 is formed in thedisk 58 and acylindrical portion 62 extends rearwardly from the disk. Thecylindrical portion 62 receives thesecond transducer 48 extending from theprobe 32.

Thedisposable cover 52 is positioned over thebarrel 36 of theprobe 32 prior to the use of the temperature and respirationrate determining system 30. Referring to FIG. 6, thecover 52 includes aslot 64 and theprobe 32 is provided with a projection 66 which cooperate to assure proper registration between thesecond transducer 48 and thedisk 58 and thecylindrical portion 62. As thecover 52 is slid into position, thespring 38 is compressed, thereby maintaining an intimate springloaded contact between thefirst transducer 45 and its surroundingcover 46 and thecap 56 of thecover 52. Such contact is important in assuring a path of low thermalimpedance through thecover 52 to thefirst transducer 45.

The use of the temperature and respirationrate determining system 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The tip of theprobe 32 as defined by thefirst transducer 45 and the surrounding portion of thecover 52 is positioned within the mouth of a patient P. By this means thefirst transducer 45 is actuated to generate a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient. This signal is transferred to associated apparatus through thecable 50.

The positioning of thebarrel 36 and the surrounding portion of thecover 52 within the mouth of the patient P automatically positions thesecond transducer 48 in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient. By this means thesecond thermistor 48 is cyclically actuated in synchronism with the breathing of the patient,

and thereby generates a signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient. This signal is conveyed to associated apparatus by thecable 50. The operation of thesecond transducer 48 in determining the respiration rate of the patient is facilitated by thedisk 58 and thecylindrical portion 62 of thedisposable cover 52 which function to direct the air exhaled through the nose of the patient across thesecond thermistor 48. Thedisk 58 and thecylindrical portion 62 also prevent extraneous drafts from contacting thesecond transducer 48.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a temperature and respirationrate determining system 70 comprising a second embodiment of the invention. Thesystem 70 includes a one-piece barrel 72 which may be formed from one of the various plastic materials, such as Lexan, etc. Thebarrel 72 includes ahandle portion 74 which receives acap 76. As is best shown in FIG. 7, thebarrel 72 further comprises a pair of opposed cover retaining beads which project outwardly from thebarrel 72 at points indicated by theline 82 in FIG. 4.

Afirst transducer 85 is mounted in the end of thebarrel 72 remote from thehandle 74. Like thetransducer 45, thetransducer 85 is enclosed by ametal cover 86 which serves to define the tip of thebarrel 72. Acable 88 extends from afirst transducer 85 through thebarrel 72 and through thecap 76 and serves to connect the temperature and respirationrate determining system 70 to associated apparatus. A second transducer90 is mounted in thebarrel 72 at a point displaced from the tip thereof. Thesecond transducer 90 extends angularly upwardly relative to the remaining components of thebarrel 72. Like thefirst transducer 85, thesecond transducer 90 is connected to associated apparatus by thecable 88.

Thefirst transducer 85 is temperature sensitive, and therefore comprises a thermistor or similar temperature sensitive component. Thesecond transducer 90 may comprise a temperature sensitive device, a moisture sensitive device, a pressure sensitive device, depending on particular requirements.

It will be appreciated that the positioning of the transducers comprising the temperature and respirationrate determining system 70 with respect to thebarrel 72 is substantially identical to the positioning of the transducers comprising the temperature and respirationrate determining system 30 with respect to theprobe 32. This fact permits the use of thesame probe cover 52 in conjunction with the temperature and respirationrate determining system 70. One difference between the two embodiments of the invention is that in the case of the temperature and respirationrate determining system 70, thecap 56 of thecover 52 is maintained in intimate contact with thecover 86 enclosing thefirst transducer 85 by means of thebeads 80 which are received in agroove 92 formed in the interior of thecover 52. It has been found that this construction serves equally as well as the spring loaded construction of theprobe 32 to maintain the necessary contact between these component parts. ring to FIG. 6, a second transducer48 is mounted in theridge 94 which receives the slottedportion 64 of thecover 52. By this means proper registration of the component parts of thecover 52 and thesecond transducer 90 is assured.

The temperature and respirationrate determining system 70 is used in the same manner as described hereinbefore in conjunction with thesystem 30 and FIG. 2. The tip of thebarrel 72 and the surrounding portion of thecover 52 is positioned in the mouth of the patient. Thereupon thefirst transducer 85 is actuated to generate an output signal indicative of the temperature of the patient. Actuation of thefirst transducer 85 is by means of heat transfer through thecap 56 of thecover 52. The output signal from thefirst transducer 85 is connected to associated apparatus by thecable 88.

The positioning of the tip of thebarrel 72 of the system in the mouth of the patient assures the positioning of thesecond transducer 90 in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient. By this means the sec-0nd transducer 90 is cyclically actuated in accordance with the breathing of the patient, and thereby generates an output signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient. Again, thedisk 58 and thecylindrical portion 62 of thecover 52 functions to direct air exhaled through the nose of the patient across the second transducer and to prevent actuation of thetransducer 90 by extraneous drafts.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the present invention incorporates numerous advantages over the devices that have heretofore been provided for determining the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient. For example, by means of the present invention, the temperature and the respiration rate of the patient are simultaneously determined with no additional effort over that which would be required to determine temperature only. Another advantage relates to the construction of the probe of the invention, whereby apparatus for determining respiration rate is automatically correctly positioned whenever the probe is utilized to determine temperature. An associated advantage involves the fact that the positioning of the probe in the mouth of the patient to determine temperature forces the mouth of the patient to be closed, whereby breathing must take place through the nose of the patient. Still another advantage involves the fact that securing means such as adhesive tape, straps, clips, etc. are not necessary to the practice of the invention.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for determining the temperature and respiration rate of a patient which comprises:

an elongate probe including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a patient;

a temperature responsive member supported at the tip of the one end of said probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient;

said temperature responsive member being adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient; and

a respiration responsive member supported on the probe at a point substantially displaced from the tip and in an angular upwardly extending relationship to said probe;

said respiration responsive member being adapted for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to provide a signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient.

2. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 wherein the respiration responsive member is a temperature sensitive device.

3. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 wherein the respiration responsive member is a moisture sensitive device.

4. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 wherein the respiration responsive member is a pressure sensitive device.

5. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim I further including a cover extending over said one end of the probe and including a portion having low thermal impedance positioned in engagement with the temperature responsive member so that the temperature responsive member is actuated by heat transfer through the disposable cover.

6. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according toclaim 5 wherein the cover further includes a dish-shaped portion surrounding the respiration responsive member for directing air exhaled by the patient into engagement therewith.

7. Apparatus for determing the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient which comprises:

a probe including an elongate cylindrical end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the patient;

a temperature responsive member supported at the extreme tip of the cylindrical end of the probe for generating an output signal indicative of the temperature of the patient;

a respiration responsive member supported on the probe at a point substantially displaced from the tip for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to generate an output signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient;

a cover enclosing at least the cylindrical end of the probe during the positioning thereof in the mouth of the patient;

said cover including means for directing air exhaled through the nose of the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive member and a low thermal impedance portion engaging the temperature responsive member so that the temperature responsive member is actuated by heat transfer through the cover.

8. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the cover is formed substantially entirely from plastic and includes a metal tip portion comprising the low thermal impedance portion thereof.

9. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 8 wherein the air directing means of the cover comprises a dish-shaped member having a central aperture for receiving the respiration responsive member on the probe.

10. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the respiration responsive member comprises a temperature sensitive device.

11. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the respiration responsive member comprises a moisture sensitive device. 4

12. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the respiration responsive member comprises a pressure sensitive device.

13. For use in conjunction with apparatus for determining the temperature and the respiration rate ofa patient of the type comprising an elongate probe, a temperature responsive means positioned at the tip of the probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient, and a respiration responsive means supported on the probe for engagement by air exhaled through the nose of the patient, an at least semi-disposable cover comprising:

a plastic body portion having interior dimensions substantially similar to the exterior dimensions of the probe for enclosing the probe during the insertion thereof into the mouth of the patient;

a tip at one end of the body portion and formed from a material having low thermal impedance and supported on the body portion for contact with the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transfer through the disposable cover; and

deflector means for directing air exhaled through the nose of the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive means, said deflector means extending from the body portion at a point displaced from one end of the body portion between the one end and a second end of the body portion to be adjacent the respiration responsive means.

14. The disposable cover according to claim 13 wherein the body portion of the deflector means is formed form a plastic material and wherein the tip is formed from metal.

15. The disposable cover according to claim 14 wherein the deflector means comprises a dish-shaped member and cylindrical portion extending form the dish-shaped member for receiving the respiration responsive means.

16. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate, which comprises:

an elongate probe having one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a human;

temperature responsive means supported at the one end of said probe for providing a temperature related signal; and

respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from the one end in an angularly extending relationship to said probe for providing a respiration rate related signal.

17. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 16 including a deflector member surrounding the respiration responsive means for attachment to said elongate probe to direct air exhaled by the human into engagement with the respiration responsive means.

18. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 16 including a cover extending over the one end of said probe and including a portion having a low thermal impedance positioned in engagement with the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transferred through the portion having a low thermal impedance.

19. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate, which comprises:

an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a human;

temperature responsive means supported at the one end of said probe substantially along the longitudinal axis for providing a temperature related signal; a and respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from the one end and positioned along an axis other than the longitudinal axis of said probe for providing a respiration rate related signal. 20. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 19 including a deflector member surrounding the respiration responsinve means and attached to the elongate probe to direct air exhaled by the human into engagement with the respiration responsive means.

21. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 19 including:

a cover extending over said one end of the probe; and said cover including means for directing air exhaled through the nose of the human into engagement with the respiration responsive means and a low thermal impedance portion engaging the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transfer through the low thermal impedance portion.

22. Apparatus for determining the temperature and respiration rate of a patient, which comprises:

an elongate probe including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the patient;

temperature responsive means supported at said one end of the probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient;

said temperature responsive means being adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient;

respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from one end thereof in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient when said one end of the probe is inserted in the mouth of the patient;

said respiration responsive means being adapted for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to provide a signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient; and deflector means for directing air exhaled by the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive means, said deflector means surrounding the respiration responsive means and adapted for attachment to the elongate probe. 23. Apparatus for determining the temperature and respiration rate of a patient, which comprises:

an elongate probe including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the patient;

temperature responsive means supported at said one end of the probefor positioning in the mouth of the patient;

said temperature responsive means being adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient;

respiration responsive means supported on the probe v at a point displaced from one end thereof in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient pedance positioned in engagement with the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transferred through said portion and including a dish-shaped portion surrounding the respiration responsive means for directing air exhaled by the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive means.

P0505) UPC/FED S'IA'LES PAT ENT OFI'TCE (5/69) v r w CERTI'MCATL OF CORREQ'MQN Patent No. 38842l9 Dated y 975.

In'VentOflSL Phillip 0. Richardson, et 511.; I

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r" "f v Col. 3, line 2, after "FIG. 6" insert Col. 4, line 6l,.'.'ring of FIG. 6, asecond transducer 48 is mounted in the should be --As is best shown in FIGURE 4, theprobe 70 includes a-.

C01. 7,line 34, "form" should be "from". 'line 38, "form" should be --from-.

Signed and Sealed this thirtieth D ay Of September 19 75 [SEAL] A nest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting ()jfirer C. MARSHALL DANN (mnmissimu'r bj'lalz'nls and Trademarks

Claims (23)

1. Apparatus for determining the temperature and respiration rate of a patient which comprises: an elongate probe including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a patient; a temperature responsive member supported at the tip of the one end of said probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient; said temperature responsive member being adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient; and a respiration responsive member supported on the probe at a point substantially displaced from the tip and in an angular upwardly extending relationship to said probe; said respiration responsive member being adapted for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to provide a signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient.

2. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 wherein the respiration responsive member is a temperature sensitive device.

3. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 wherein the respiration responsive member is a moisture sensitive device.

4. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 wherein the respiration responsive member is a pressure sensitive device.

5. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 1 further including a cover extending over said one end of the probe and including a portion having low thermal impedance positioned in engagement with the temperature responsive member so that the temperature responsive member is actuated by heat transfer through the disposable cover.

6. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rate according to claim 5 wherein the cover further includes a dish-shaped portion surrounding the respiration responsive member for directing air exhaled by the patient into engagement therewith.

7. Apparatus for determing the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient which comprises: a probe including an elongate cylindrical end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the patient; a temperature responsive member supported at the extreme tip of the cylindrical end of tHe probe for generating an output signal indicative of the temperature of the patient; a respiration responsive member supported on the probe at a point substantially displaced from the tip for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to generate an output signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient; a cover enclosing at least the cylindrical end of the probe during the positioning thereof in the mouth of the patient; said cover including means for directing air exhaled through the nose of the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive member and a low thermal impedance portion engaging the temperature responsive member so that the temperature responsive member is actuated by heat transfer through the cover.

8. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the cover is formed substantially entirely from plastic and includes a metal tip portion comprising the low thermal impedance portion thereof.

9. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 8 wherein the air directing means of the cover comprises a dish-shaped member having a central aperture for receiving the respiration responsive member on the probe.

10. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the respiration responsive member comprises a temperature sensitive device.

11. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the respiration responsive member comprises a moisture sensitive device.

12. The apparatus for determining temperature and respiration rates according to claim 7 wherein the respiration responsive member comprises a pressure sensitive device.

13. For use in conjunction with apparatus for determining the temperature and the respiration rate of a patient of the type comprising an elongate probe, a temperature responsive means positioned at the tip of the probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient, and a respiration responsive means supported on the probe for engagement by air exhaled through the nose of the patient, an at least semi-disposable cover comprising: a plastic body portion having interior dimensions substantially similar to the exterior dimensions of the probe for enclosing the probe during the insertion thereof into the mouth of the patient; a tip at one end of the body portion and formed from a material having low thermal impedance and supported on the body portion for contact with the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transfer through the disposable cover; and deflector means for directing air exhaled through the nose of the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive means, said deflector means extending from the body portion at a point displaced from one end of the body portion between the one end and a second end of the body portion to be adjacent the respiration responsive means.

14. The disposable cover according to claim 13 wherein the body portion of the deflector means is formed form a plastic material and wherein the tip is formed from metal.

15. The disposable cover according to claim 14 wherein the deflector means comprises a dish-shaped member and cylindrical portion extending form the dish-shaped member for receiving the respiration responsive means.

16. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate, which comprises: an elongate probe having one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a human; temperature responsive means supported at the one end of said probe for providing a temperature related signal; and respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from the one end in an angularly extending relationship to said probe for providing a respiration rate related signal.

17. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 16 including a deflector member surrounding the respiration responsive means for attachment to said elongate probe to direct air exhaled by the human into engagement with the respiration responsive means.

18. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 16 including a cover extending over the one end of said probe and including a portion having a low thermal impedance positioned in engagement with the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transferred through the portion having a low thermal impedance.

19. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate, which comprises: an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of a human; temperature responsive means supported at the one end of said probe substantially along the longitudinal axis for providing a temperature related signal; and respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from the one end and positioned along an axis other than the longitudinal axis of said probe for providing a respiration rate related signal.

20. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 19 including a deflector member surrounding the respiration responsinve means and attached to the elongate probe to direct air exhaled by the human into engagement with the respiration responsive means.

21. Apparatus for use in the measurement of temperature and respiration rate as set forth in claim 19 including: a cover extending over said one end of the probe; and said cover including means for directing air exhaled through the nose of the human into engagement with the respiration responsive means and a low thermal impedance portion engaging the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transfer through the low thermal impedance portion.

22. Apparatus for determining the temperature and respiration rate of a patient, which comprises: an elongate probe including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the patient; temperature responsive means supported at said one end of the probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient; said temperature responsive means being adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient; respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from one end thereof in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient when said one end of the probe is inserted in the mouth of the patient; said respiration responsive means being adapted for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to provide a signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient; and deflector means for directing air exhaled by the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive means, said deflector means surrounding the respiration responsive means and adapted for attachment to the elongate probe.

23. Apparatus for determining the temperature and respiration rate of a patient, which comprises: an elongate probe including one end adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the patient; temperature responsive means supported at said one end of the probe for positioning in the mouth of the patient; said temperature responsive means being adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the patient; respiration responsive means supported on the probe at a point displaced from one end thereof in the path of air exhaled through the nose of the patient when said one end of the probe is inserted in the mouth of the patient; said respiration responsive means being adapted for actuation by air exhaled through the nose of the patient to provide a signal indicative of the respiration rate of the patient; and a cover extending over said one end of the prObe and terminating in a portion having a low thermal impedance positioned in engagement with the temperature responsive means so that the temperature responsive means is actuated by heat transferred through said portion and including a dish-shaped portion surrounding the respiration responsive means for directing air exhaled by the patient into engagement with the respiration responsive means.

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