Heat stroke monitoring device - Essay Example

The human body has a natural ability for temperature regulation. Thus, an increase in the subject’s core temperature makes the sweat glands on the skin to dilate having a cooling effect on the skin. To the person observing from the camera, it appears that the subject’s core body temperature is reducing when in fact it is rising (O'Kane & Sandick). There are also heats sensors that are based on infrared technology for example thermoelectric sensors that are used in medical institutions. Medical officers have used passive infrared sensors over the years to detect aural temperatures accurately.

The passive sensors allow the observer to measure the surface temperature of the subject without having direct connection with the subject. Passive infrared sensors, like the aural thermometer, enable doctors take dependable aural temperature measurements while at the same time avoiding damage to the eardrum, the eardrum is part of the ear that is near the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, has a function of regulating core body temperature; in essence, the human body will be reacting to the temperature of the hypothalamus.

For this reason, determination of core body temperature is possible using the eardrum since it exists at approximately the same temperature level as the whole body. In addition, other heat stroke monitoring devices that have been in use include thermistors and thermocouples. Thermistors have their advantages, as they are easily measurable; have a long lifespan, and are small. They also have a quick response time, and do not need temperature referencing; the thermocouples can measure a range of temperature depending on the needs of the user.

Their disadvantage is that they are non-linear and needs significant linearization algorithms for them to be efficient. Moreover, the voltage output of the element for sensing temperature in thermocouples is lower in comparison with other devices that have the capacity to change voltage signals from analog to digital. Wet bulb globe temperature is mostly used to measure heat stress as per the proposal of the Ministry of Labor. Developers made wet bulb globe temperature to use heat radiation and atmospheric humidity in measuring heat stress.

Division of heat exposure is on categories like a worker’s physical activities or acclimatization to the environmental conditions among others. Basing on these categories, there is an adjustment on the types of clothing and protective equipments for each worker. Wet bulb globe temperature needs specialized tools and expertise for them to be effective in measuring heat stroke. Wet bulb globe temperatures available in the market today have their disadvantages. They cost a lot, are large and bulky, as one has to transport the distilled water together with the measurement unit (“Microchip”).

There has been some advancement in this front since the introduction of devices such as the Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker. This heat sensor monitor can calculate Wet bulb globe temperature values lower than 2.18 deg C that is the lowest a complete setup gives (Nielsen-Kellerman). Design Goal, Criteria, and Constraints There is need for heat stock sensor that is easy to use by someone without any medical expertise (Croce and Jenna).The design goal of the project is to come up with a wristband for measuring core body temperature that easy to operate. Since it