Device for continuously measuring the skin local sweating rate

Abstract

A device for continuously measuring the skin local sweating rate includes a capsule used for applying on a human skin at a measuring point and an air supply element for supplying dehumidified air to the capsule. A first chamber is formed between the capsule and the skin for receiving water vapor perspired from the skin and the dehumidified air supplied from the air supply element to produce the mixture of perspiration oriented water vapor through the skin and the dehumidified air. A second chamber is also formed within the capsule and connected with the first chamber through a communicating hole. The device further includes a humidity detecting element disposed in the second chamber. The humidity detecting element varies its electrical circuit constant according to the relative humidity of the mixture. A temperature detecting element is disposed in the second chamber for detecting the temperature in the second chamber and for outputting signals corresponding to the temperature. A humidity detecting signal output element is mounted on the capsule and is electrically connected with the humidity detecting element for outputting a humidity detecting signal corresponding to the circuit constant of the humidity detecting element. A calculation circuit calculates the sweating rate which is independent of the temperature of the mixture, based on the signals from the humidity detecting signal output element and the temperature detecting element. An element is provided for continuously recording the data of the sweating rate obtained by the calculation circuit.