US4341992A — Conductive probe cover

Claim 1

Independent Claim 192 words

A protective probe cover, for a sensor probe component of an electronic thermometer, having an improved design to ensure that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe of the electronic thermometer, the electronic thermometer including a verification circuit for electrically ascertaining that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe, said probe cover being formed of a relatively thin layer of synthetic resin material, said synthetic resin material having a conductive material therein to render the probe cover electrically conductive to allow the verification circuit to conductively ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe and said probe cover forming a resistive path having a predetermined resistance when said probe cover is properly fitted on said probe, wherein said verification circuit comprises means connected to said probe and probe cover for comparing the resistance of said resistive path to at least one predetermined resistance value and operative when the predetermined resistance of said resistive path is below the predetermined resistance value, and means responsive to operation of said operative means for enabling the electronic thermometer to respond to the temperature of its sensor probe.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 192 words

A protective probe cover, for a sensor probe component of an electronic thermometer, having an improved design to ensure that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe of the electronic thermometer, the electronic thermometer including a verification circuit for electrically ascertaining that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe, said probe cover being formed of a relatively thin layer of synthetic resin material, said synthetic resin material having a conductive material therein to render the probe cover electrically conductive to allow the verification circuit to conductively ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe and said probe cover forming a resistive path having a predetermined resistance when said probe cover is properly fitted on said probe, wherein said verification circuit comprises means connected to said probe and probe cover for comparing the resistance of said resistive path to at least one predetermined resistance value and operative when the predetermined resistance of said resistive path is below the predetermined resistance value, and means responsive to operation of said operative means for enabling the electronic thermometer to respond to the temperature of its sensor probe.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 36 words

The protective probe cover as claimed in claim 1, said conductive material being added to the synthetic resin forming the probe cover at a predetermined density to provide the probe cover with a given resistance value.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 56 words

The probe cover as claimed in claim 1, said probe cover having an opening at one end to provide for insertion of the probe into the probe cover, and a ring of reinforcing material provided encircling said opening of said probe cover to more securely retain the probe cover in a proper position on the probe.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 152 words

A protective probe cover, for a sensor probe component of an electronic thermometer, having an improved design to ensure that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe of the electronic thermometer, said electronic thermometer including a verification circuit adapted to respond to the connection thereto of a conductive probe cover when the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe, said probe cover being electrically conductive and connected to said verification circuit to allow the verification circuit to conductively ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe cover having an opening at one end to provide for insertion of the probe into the probe cover and retention of the probe cover in a proper position on the probe, and a ring of reinforcing material encircling said opening of said probe cover to more securely retain the probe cover in a proper position on the probe.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 152 words

A protective probe cover, for a sensor probe component of an electronic thermometer, having an improved design to ensure that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe of the electronic thermometer, said electronic thermometer including a verification circuit adapted to respond to the connection thereto of a conductive probe cover when the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe, said probe cover being electrically conductive and connected to said verification circuit to allow the verification circuit to conductively ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe cover having an opening at one end to provide for insertion of the probe into the probe cover and retention of the probe cover in a proper position on the probe, and a ring of reinforcing material encircling said opening of said probe cover to more securely retain the probe cover in a proper position on the probe.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

An improved design for a protective probe cover as claimed in claim 4, said reinforcing ring being formed of metal.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 40 words

An improved design for a protective probe cover as claimed in claim 4, said probe cover being formed of a relatively thin layer of synthetic resin material having a conductive material therein, whereby to render the probe cover electrically conductive.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 183 words

A combination of an electronic thermometer, having a probe which is adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a patient to electronically take a temperature measurement, and a protective probe cover for the probe, wherein said electronic thermometer includes verification circuit means for enabling the thermometer to operate properly only when the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe cover having electrically conductive portions formed as an integral part thereof to enable said verification circuit means to ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe and said probe cover forming a resistive path having a predetermined resistance when said probe cover is properly fitted on said probe, wherein said verification circuit comprises means connected to said probe and probe cover for comparing the resistance of said resistive path to at least one predetermined resistance value and operative when the predetermined resistance of said resistive path is below the predetermined resistance value, and means responsive to the operation of said operative means for enabling the electronic thermometer to respond to the temperature of its probe.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 183 words

A combination of an electronic thermometer, having a probe which is adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a patient to electronically take a temperature measurement, and a protective probe cover for the probe, wherein said electronic thermometer includes verification circuit means for enabling the thermometer to operate properly only when the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe cover having electrically conductive portions formed as an integral part thereof to enable said verification circuit means to ascertain that the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe and said probe cover forming a resistive path having a predetermined resistance when said probe cover is properly fitted on said probe, wherein said verification circuit comprises means connected to said probe and probe cover for comparing the resistance of said resistive path to at least one predetermined resistance value and operative when the predetermined resistance of said resistive path is below the predetermined resistance value, and means responsive to the operation of said operative means for enabling the electronic thermometer to respond to the temperature of its probe.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 54 words

The combination as claimed in claim 7, said probe cover having an opening at one end to provide for insertion of the probe into the cover, and a ring of reinforcing material provided encircling said opening of said probe cover to more securely retain the probe cover in a proper position on the probe.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 33 words

The combination as claimed in claim 7, said probe cover being formed of a relatively thin layer of synthetic resin material having a conductive material therein to render the probe cover electrically conductive.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

The combination as claimed in claim 9, said conductive material being added to the synthetic resin forming the probe cover at a predetermined density to provide a predetermined resistance for the probe cover.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 43 words

The combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one predetermined resistance value comprises a given resistance value, said verification circuit means including means for enabling the thermometer to operate only when the measured resistance is below said predetermined resistance value.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

The combination as claimed in claim 11, said verification circuit having means for electrically contacting the probe cover at each of its lengthwise ends, such that the resistive path being measured is along the length of the probe cover.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 51 words

The combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one predetermined resistance value comprises predetermined upper and lower ohmic limits, said verification circuit having means for enabling the thermometer to operate properly only if the magnitude of the measured resistance is between said predetermined upper and lower ohmic limits.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 160 words

A combination of an electronic thermometer, having a probe which is adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a patient to electronically take a temperature measurement, and a protective probe cover for the probe, with the combination providing for the discharge of static electrical charges from the cover, said protective probe cover having an improved design to ensure that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe of the electronic thermometer, said electronic thermometer including a verification circuit having contact means adapted to be engaged by said probe cover when it is properly fitted onto the probe, said probe cover being electrically conductive so that when it engages the aforesaid contact means the vertification circuit ascertains that the probe cover is properly fitted on the probe and provides for the discharge of static electricity therefrom, said electronic thermometer having a grounding electrical contact connected to said verification circuit for discharging static electricity from said probe cover to ground.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 160 words

A combination of an electronic thermometer, having a probe which is adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a patient to electronically take a temperature measurement, and a protective probe cover for the probe, with the combination providing for the discharge of static electrical charges from the cover, said protective probe cover having an improved design to ensure that the probe cover is properly fitted onto the probe of the electronic thermometer, said electronic thermometer including a verification circuit having contact means adapted to be engaged by said probe cover when it is properly fitted onto the probe, said probe cover being electrically conductive so that when it engages the aforesaid contact means the vertification circuit ascertains that the probe cover is properly fitted on the probe and provides for the discharge of static electricity therefrom, said electronic thermometer having a grounding electrical contact connected to said verification circuit for discharging static electricity from said probe cover to ground.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The combination as claimed in claim 14, said probe cover being formed of a relatively thin layer of synthetic material having a conductive material therein to render the probe cover electrically conductive.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 138 words

In an electronic thermometer having a probe and a probe cover, said probe being adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a patient to electronically take a temperature measurement, the improvement comprising a verification circuit for determining when the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe and said probe cover forming a resistive path having a predetermined resistance when said probe cover is properly positioned on said probe, when said vertification circuit comprises means connected to said probe and probe cover for comparing the resistance of said resistive path to at least one predetermined resistance value and operative when the predetermined resistance of said resistive path is below the predetermined resistance value, and means responsive to operation of said operative means for enabling the electronic thermometer to respond to the temperature of its probe.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 138 words

In an electronic thermometer having a probe and a probe cover, said probe being adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a patient to electronically take a temperature measurement, the improvement comprising a verification circuit for determining when the probe cover is properly positioned on the probe, said probe and said probe cover forming a resistive path having a predetermined resistance when said probe cover is properly positioned on said probe, when said vertification circuit comprises means connected to said probe and probe cover for comparing the resistance of said resistive path to at least one predetermined resistance value and operative when the predetermined resistance of said resistive path is below the predetermined resistance value, and means responsive to operation of said operative means for enabling the electronic thermometer to respond to the temperature of its probe.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 45 words

In an electronic thermometer as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one predetermined resistance value comprises a given resistance value, said verification circuit having means for enabling the thermometer to operate only when the measured resistance is below said given predetermined resistance value.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 42 words

In an improved electronic thermometer as claimed in claim 17, said verification circuit having means to electrically contact the probe cover at each of its lengthwise ends, such that the resistive path being measured is along the length of the probe cover.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 50 words

In an improved electronic thermometer as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one predetermined resistance value comprises predetermined upper and lower ohmic limits, said verification circuit having means for enabling the thermometer to operate properly only if the measured resistance is between predetermined upper and lower ohmic limits.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-07-26	1986-01-25	1986-07-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-07-26	1990-01-25	1990-07-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-07-26	1994-01-25	1994-07-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Conductive probe cover

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