Device for use in temporary insertion of a sensor within a patient's body

A device for use in a medical procedure for placing a sensor probe temporarily in a desired location within a patient's body, comprising:

• (a) an elongate support member having a distal end portion, an intermediate portion, and a proximal portion;
• and
• (b) a thin-walled probe-receiving tube of flexible material attached to and extending closely alongside said intermediate portion of said support member, said tube having a closed distal end defining an interior space within said tube, said closed distal end and an adjacent distal end portion of said probe-receiving tube being detached and free from said support member.

A device for use in a medical procedure for placing a sensor probe temporarily in a desired location within a patient's body, comprising:

• (a) an elongate support member having a distal end portion and a proximal portion;
• and
• (b) a thin-walled probe-receiving tube of flexible material integral with and extending closely alongside said distal end portion of said support member, said thin-walled probe-receiving tube having a closed distal end defining an interior space within said tube and said elongate support member being a drain tube including an opening for draining material from said location within said patient's body, said drain tube having a thin wall which is substantially more difficult to collapse than said thin-walled probe-receiving tube.

A device for use in a medical procedure for placing a sensor probe temporarily in a desired location within a patient's body, comprising:

• (a) an elongate support member having a distal end portion and a proximal portion;
• and
• (b) a probe-receiving tube having a thin wall of flexible material, said probe-receiving tube extending closely alongside and being securely attached to said distal end portion of said support member, said probe-receiving tube having a closed distal end defining an interior space within said probe-receiving tube, and said device including a portion adjacent said closed distal end of said probe-receiving tube that is relatively opaque to ultrasound waves.