IR thermometry probe cover
AssigneeWelch Allyn, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Lane, David E. Quinn, Ray D. Stone, Scott A. Martin, John R. Strom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A protective cover for an insertion probe of a medical instrument. The cover contains a flexible tubular body that compliments the probe geometry and a radially disposed flange that surrounds the proximal end of the body. A series of snap-on fasteners removably connect the cover to the instrument. A camming surface is located on the outer face of the flange which coacts with a cam follower that is movably mounted upon the instrument to flex the cover sufficiently to open the fastener and release the cover from the instrument and move the cover axially toward the distal end of the tip.
Claims24
A probe cover, comprising:
- a distal end;
- a proximal end opposite the distal end;
- a wall forming an inner surface facing a central longitudinal axis of the probe cover;
- a cove formed by the inner surface, at least part of the cove extending radially away from the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a flange disposed at the proximal end, the flange including a first surface configured to receive a force from an ejector mechanism, and a proximally-facing outer face spaced from the first surface, wherein:
- a section of the wall is configured to flex in response to the force being applied to the first surface, and
- the proximally-facing outer face of the flange forms:
- a base of the probe cover at a proximal-most surface of the flange, and
- an edge surface, wherein from a radially outer-most surface of the flange, the edge surface extends:
- proximally away from the distal end of the probe cover, and
- radially inwardly.
A probe cover, comprising:
- a distal end;
- a proximal end opposite the distal end;
- a wall extending proximally from the distal end of the probe cover, the wall including:
- an inner surface facing a central longitudinal axis of the probe cover, the inner surface forming an arcuate portion of the probe cover;
- and
- a flange disposed at the proximal end of the probe cover, the flange forming a base of the probe cover and a proximally-facing edge surface, wherein:
- the arcuate portion is disposed distal to the flange, and is configured to couple with a corresponding member of a medical instrument to releasably connect the probe cover to the medical instrument,
- a section of the wall is configured to flex when a force is applied to the flange by an ejector mechanism of the medical instrument in a first direction that is toward the distal end and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis,
- flexing of the section decouples the arcuate portion and the corresponding member of the medical instrument, and from a radially outer-most surface of the flange, the edge surface extends:
- proximally away from the distal end of the probe cover, and
- radially inwardly.
A method of manufacturing a probe cover, comprising:
- forming a distal end of the probe cover;
- forming a proximal end of the probe cover opposite the distal end;
- forming a continuous wall of the probe cover extending proximally from the distal end of the probe cover, the wall including an inner surface facing a central longitudinal axis of the probe cover;
- forming a cove with the inner surface, at least part of the cove extending radially away from the longitudinal axis;
- and
- forming a flange at the proximal end, the flange including a surface configured to receive a force from an ejector mechanism, and a proximally-facing outer face spaced from the first surface, wherein:
- a section of the wall is configured to flex in response to the force being applied to the first surface, and
- the proximally-facing outer face of the flange forms:
- a base of the probe cover at a proximal-most surface of the flange, and
- an edge surface, wherein from a radially outer-most surface of the flange, the edge surface extends:
- proximally away from the distal end of the probe cover, and
- radially inwardly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.