US4662360A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable speculum
Assignee: Covidien Group SARL
•
Filing: 1985-05-08
•
Granted: 1987-05-05
•
Expires: 2005-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A sanitary protective cover or sheath for the ear canal probe of a tympanic thermometer has a generally tubular body portion and an infrared transparent membrane attached to and sealing the forward end of the tubular body portion. While the tubular body portion is being injection molded of a plastic material, a film of a similar plastic material is mated to the forward end of the tubular body portion. A portion of the film defining the membrane is thus severed from the film and thermally bonded to the tubular body portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. O'Hara
- 👤 David B. Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/021; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A speculum comprising: a generally tubular body portion having forward and rearward ends; a membrane extending across the forward end of the tubular body portion, the membrane being substantially transparent to infrared radiation; the tubular body portion and the membrane both being made of a pliant plastic material; the tubular body portion being injection molded and the membrane being a film bonded to the forward end of the tubular body portion; and the film membrane being made of a stretchable plastic material and having a thickness chosen to minimize attenuation of infrared radiation passing therethrough yet being capable of withstanding approximately 1.2 PSI without rupturing or unbonding from the tubular body portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A speculum comprising: a generally tubular body portion having forward and rearward ends; a membrane extending across the forward end of the tubular body portion, the membrane being substantially transparent to infrared radiation; the tubular body portion and the membrane both being made of a pliant plastic material; the tubular body portion being injection molded and the membrane being a film bonded to the forward end of the tubular body portion; and the film membrane being made of a stretchable plastic material and having a thickness chosen to minimize attenuation of infrared radiation passing therethrough yet being capable of withstanding approximately 1.2 PSI without rupturing or unbonding from the tubular body portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the membrane is made of a material substantially transparent to infrared radiation in the seven to fifteen micron wavelength range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion is configured to mate with and enclose a probe so that the membrane is stretched over a tip of the probe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene and the membrane has a maximum thickness of approximately 0.001 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion has a frusto-conical shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A speculum according to claim 6 wherein the frusto-conical shaped tubular body portion is formed with an exterior, forwardly facing shoulder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the forward end of the tubular body portion has rounded edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion is formed of an annular wall having a thickness of approximately 0.1 to 0.2 inches and the membrane has a maximum thickness of approximately 0.001 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A speculum according to claim 1 wherein the tubular body portion is formed with a plurality of retention barbs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |