Patent US4197944A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4197944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Probe cover
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
•
Filing: 1978-09-18
•
Granted: 1980-04-15
•
Expires: 1998-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A disposable sheath for use with clinical measurement probes, such as a temperature probe. Two sheaths are provided, each with an open end, and which are attached to each other near their respective distal ends. The first sheath covers the probe, and the second sheath covers the first as measurements are taken. After withdrawal of the probe, the second sheath may be inverted to avoid contamination of the environment and other patients. Further pulling of the disposable cover removes it from the probe, which may then be used again without cleaning or sterilization.
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Catlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K13/00; G01K13/20; G01K13/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A probe cover for protecting a probe from contamination during patient use, comprising: an inner sheath having an open end and a close distal end, and being dimensioned to receive and frictionally engage at least a portion of a sensing probe therein; and an outer sheath of resilient material having an open end and a closed distal end being attached to the inner sheath at the close distal end of the outer sheath, said outer sheath capable of fitting over at least part of said inner sheath, and also capable of folding back upon itself so as to encapsulate the contaminated surface of the cover which has been exposed to the patient use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A probe cover for protecting a probe from contamination during patient use, comprising: an inner sheath having an open end and a close distal end, and being dimensioned to receive and frictionally engage at least a portion of a sensing probe therein; and an outer sheath of resilient material having an open end and a closed distal end being attached to the inner sheath at the close distal end of the outer sheath, said outer sheath capable of fitting over at least part of said inner sheath, and also capable of folding back upon itself so as to encapsulate the contaminated surface of the cover which has been exposed to the patient use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the inner and outer sheaths are attached near their respective distal ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the outer sheath is parallel to the inner sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the outer sheath is conical in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the inner sheath is composed of a material to resist puncturing thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the outer sheath has a gripping means attached to its open end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A probe cover as described in claim 6 wherein the gripping means is a paper covering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the inner sheath extends beyond the outer sheath at its open end before inversion of the outer sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the inner sheath is open at its distal end, and the distal end of the outer sheath extends beyond the distal end of inner sheath and is closed at this end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe cover as described in claim 1 wherein the cover is capable of frictionally engaging a thermometer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination of a sensing probe and cover including first and second sheaths, comprising: a. a medical instrument with a sensing probe designed for insertion into a patient; b. a first sheath having a distal end and an open end, and fitting over the sensing end of the probe; and c. a second sheath of resilient material having an open end and a distal end, attached near its distal end to the first sheath, and also capable of folding back upon itself so as to encapsulate the contaminated surface of the cover after the probe is removed from the patient.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination of a sensing probe and cover including first and second sheaths, comprising: a. a medical instrument with a sensing probe designed for insertion into a patient; b. a first sheath having a distal end and an open end, and fitting over the sensing end of the probe; and c. a second sheath of resilient material having an open end and a distal end, attached near its distal end to the first sheath, and also capable of folding back upon itself so as to encapsulate the contaminated surface of the cover after the probe is removed from the patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the medical instrument is a thermometer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first sheath is composed of a material to resist the puncturing thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the second sheath is of a conical configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the second sheath is parallel to the first sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the second sheath contains gripping means at its open end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the first and second sheaths are attached near their respective distal ends.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the first sheath is open at its distal end, and the distal end of the second sheath extends beyond the distal end of the first sheath and is closed at this end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the first and second sheaths are both closed at their distal ends.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 11 wherein the first sheath is in frictional engagement with the probe.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 16 wherein the gripping means is a paper tab.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3190436A
Cited
US3422985A
Cited
US3469685A
Cited
US3809228A
Cited
US3703892A
Cited
US4026751A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-15 | 1983-10-15 | 1984-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-15 | 1987-10-15 | 1988-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-15 | 1991-10-15 | 1992-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |