Sterile covers for ultrasound probe

A cover for an ultrasound probe, the probe having a distal end portion and a proximate end portion, said cover being formed of a flexible material and comprising:

• an elongated tubular sheath;
• and
• a band,
• wherein the sheath comprises:
• a longitudinal axis,
• an inner surface,
• a closed end, and
• an open end,
• wherein the open end is located at an opposite end of the sheath from the closed end,
• wherein the sheath is folded over itself a single time such that the open end is disposed adjacent the closed end to form a folded-over sheath having a folded-over open end located distally from the closed end and the open end along the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the inner surface of the sheath between the folded-over open end and the open end forms an outer surface of the folded-over sheath,
• wherein the band is disposed inside the folded over sheath distally from the closed end and the open end and adjacent the folded-over open end,
• wherein the folded-over sheath is rolled up about the band in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sheath and toward the closed end and the open end, such that an entirety of the rolled up, folded-over sheath is provided proximate to the closed end and the open end, and
• wherein unrolling the rolled up, folded-over sheath in an opposite direction from the roll-up direction causes the flexible band to self-deploy about an intermediate portion of the inner surface of the sheath.

A method of preparing a cover for an ultrasound probe that includes a distal end portion, comprising:

• folding an elongated tubular sheath having a closed end and an open end over itself a single time such that the open end is disposed adjacent the closed end to form a folded-over sheath having a folded-over open end located distally from the closed end and the open end;
• disposing the folded-over sheath over a stand that substantially conforms to a perimeter of the open end of the sheath;
• aligning a flexible band over the sheath near the folded-over open end and distally from the closed end and the open end;
• and
• rolling the flexible band along with the sheath from the folded-over open end towards the closed end and the open end to form a rolled sheath, such that an entirety of the rolled up, folded-over sheath is provided proximate to the closed end and the open end, and such that unrolling the rolled sheath in a same direction as the roll-up direction causes the flexible band to self-deploy about an intermediate portion of the inner surface of the sheath.

A method of preparing a cover for an ultrasound probe that includes a distal end portion, comprising:

• folding an elongated tubular sheath having a closed end and an open end over itself a single time such that the open end is disposed adjacent the closed end to form a folded-over sheath having a folded-over open end located distally from the closed end and the open end;
• disposing the folded-over sheath over a stand that substantially conforms to a perimeter of the open end of the sheath;
• aligning a flexible band inside the folded-over open end and distally from the closed end and the open end;
• rolling the flexible ring along with the sheath from the folded-over open end towards the closed end and the open end to form a rolled sheath, such that an entirety of the rolled up, folded-over sheath is provided proximate to the closed end and the open end, and such that unrolling the rolled sheath in an opposite direction from the roll-up direction causes the flexible band to self-deploy about an intermediate portion of the inner surface of the sheath.