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EP0445784A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Protective apparatus for a biomedical probe

Assignee: Ivac Medical Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1991-03-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-03-06
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Abstract

Abstract The protective apparatus for a biomedical thermometer (10) having a protruding probe (16) containing a waveguide (18) includes mounting a transparent window at the patient end of the waveguide to seal the waveguide from contamination while permitting infrared energy to pass. A protective sleeve protects and mounts the transparent window to the waveguide and material is provided along the entire probe-length of the waveguide to protect it. An outer boot (24) is mounted over the transparent window and waveguide protection material to provide further protection and to supply a mounting and retaining surface for a protective probe cover. A disposable protective probe cover (34) having a generally thin, flat, frame member with an aperture therethrough, is sized to fit over and be retained over the base of the probe. Extending across the aperture of the probe cover frame member (36) is a material which stretches to generally conform to the shape of the probe when the tip of the probe is inserted through the aperture of the frame. A probe cover sensor (32) is provided to indicate the existence of a protective probe cover (34).

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael P. Defrank
  • 👤 Robert J. Rosati

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 21:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/05; A; A61; A61B; A61B9/00; G01J5/021; G01J5/04; G01J5/041; G01J5/045; G01J5/049; G01J5/08; G01J5/0875

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 159 words
A hand-held biomedical apparatus comprising: a probe having a distal end for being directed at a patient and a base portion for use in retaining a probe cover on the probe; and protection means for protecting the probe, the protection means comprising a protective probe cover having a frame member formed of a permanently deformable, nonresilient material, the frame member having an aperture sized such that it is smaller than the base portion but is sized to fit over the base portion of the probe and to be retained in a fixed position on the base portion by a friction interference fit, the probe cover having a stretchable material attached to the probe cover frame member and extending across the aperture such that when the distal end of the probe is inserted through the aperture to fit the probe cover frame member over the base portion, the material will stretch to conform generally to the shape of the probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 65 words
The biomedical apparatus of Claim 1 wherein: the probe further comprises a waveguide formed through the probe and opening at the distal end for receiving energy from the patient and conducting the energy through the probe; and the protection means further comprises waveguide protection means for providing material around the waveguide along its entire length and at its distal end opening for protecting the waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 57 words
The biomedical apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the waveguide protection means comprises an outer boot formed of a shock absorbent material mounted over and surrounding the waveguide along its length on which is formed the base portion for mounting the frame member and which forms the outer surface of the probe to which the stretchable material conforms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 42 words
The biomedical apparatus of Claims 2 or 3 wherein the waveguide protection means further comprises window means for sealing the opening of the waveguide at the distal end against contaminants while being transparent to the energy to be received by the waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The biomedical apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the waveguide protection means comprises a sleeve mounted over the window means and the distal end of the waveguide for protecting the window and waveguide from physical shocks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The biomedical apparatus of Claim 5 wherein the outer boot is mounted over the window means, the sleeve and the waveguide along its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The biomedical apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the protection means further comprises sensor means for sensing the existence of the protective probe cover on the probe and for providing a signal responsive to the sensing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 48 words
The biomedical apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the base portion includes an outer annular rib sized to allow the probe cover frame member to be received over the rib and to positively retain the probe cover frame member in place over the base portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
The biomedical apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the probe cover frame member comprises deformable cardboard and the aperture is sized to be smaller than the size of the base.

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