RESUMEN
We describe a digitally linearized thermistor thermometer that is accurate to +/- 0.01 degrees C from 0 to 60 degrees C at a wattage of 50 microW and a sampling time of 1 s. It is traceable to the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 (IPTS-68). Analog and digital outputs are provided, the latter as ASCII RS-232C. The thermistor is a 10-cm long immersible probe, 1.5 mm in diameter. Only 0.5 cm of the probe need be immersed, with proper heat sinking of at least 1 cm of the remaining 9.5 cm, for accurate readings. Error from self-heating of the thermistor is less than 5X 10(-3) degrees C at all power settings from 50 to 1 microW.
Asunto(s)
Estándares de Referencia , Termómetros/instrumentación , Autoanálisis , Matemática , Control de CalidadRESUMEN
A simple method for measuring joint inflammation with a differential thermistor probe thermometer was applied to acute synovitis of the knee. Temperature assessments were made immediately before and serially after intra-articular steroid therapy. The method was capable of showing a significant difference in temperature between inflamed and normal knees. Knee temperature assessments correlated well with clinical parameters and were essentially independent of room temperature.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico , Termografía/métodos , Termómetros/instrumentación , Anciano , Artritis Reumatoide/patología , Temperatura Corporal/métodos , Humanos , Articulación de la Rodilla/patologíaRESUMEN
A miniature radiotelemetry transmitter is described suitable for chronic or acute monitoring of temperatures from animal or human subjects. The transmitters can be easily constructed with little or no electronics background from discrete components readily available from any electronics supplier. Transmitters weighed from 2.5-20 g, had volumes of 0.8-3.5 ml, had normal currents of 50-120 muA with potential transmitter lives of 35 h to greater than 1 yr, and transmission ranges of 10-30 m. Transmitters could be implanted, swallowed, or connected to chronically or acutely attached temperature probes. The design of the telemetry system allows for reception on any commercial FM receiver. Depending on mode of decoding the temperature data transmitter signal can be accurate to measure changes of from 0.15 to 0.015 degrees C. Thus with a minimum of expense and little electronics background a temperature-dependent transmitter system can be constructed for monitoring temperatures from unrestrained subjects.
Asunto(s)
Telemetría/instrumentación , Termómetros/instrumentación , Animales , Regulación de la Temperatura Corporal , GatosRESUMEN
A shower spray facility (SSF) was built to closely clamp the skin temperature of human subjects, while retaining capability for controlled rapid changes. The subject is enclosed from the neck down in a small chamber containing three water spray manifolds which terminate in 64 small shower heads; the manifolds provide independent temperature control of left leg, right leg, and arm/torso. A dual, solenoid-switched plumbing system for each manifold allows rapid, preset temperature changes. Preliminary tests showed that single thermocouples can accurately indicate average skin temperature for each of the three controlled body areas. Initial experiments with spikes, step functions, and periodic wave forms have proven the SSF as a potentially powerful tool for studying mechanisms of human thermoregulation.