Disposable sheath
AssigneeWelch Allyn, Inc.
InventorsThaddeus Wawro, David Tufenkjian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cuff system includes a flexible substantially tubular sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a central channel extending along the longitudinal axis. The system also includes a first guide disposed at the proximal end of the sheath. The first guide is configured to control insertion of a cuff connector into the central channel in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The system further includes an orifice proximate the distal end of the sheath. The orifice is configured to enable fluid connection between a portion of the cuff connector and an inflatable cuff while a remainder of the cuff connector is disposed within the central channel.
Claims28
A cuff system, comprising:
- a flexible substantially tubular sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a central channel extending along the longitudinal axis;
- a first guide disposed at the proximal end of the sheath, the first guide configured to control insertion of a cuff connector into the central channel in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- an orifice proximate the distal end of the sheath and configured to enable fluid connection between a portion of the cuff connector and an inflatable cuff while a remainder of the cuff connector is disposed within the central channel.
A cuff system, comprising:
- a sheath including a distal end, a proximal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a central channel extending from the distal end to the proximal end along the longitudinal axis;
- a first guide disposed at the proximal end of the sheath, the first guide including a passage configured to accept insertion of a cuff connector and to guide movement of the cuff connector through the first guide to the central channel in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
- and
- an orifice proximate the distal end of the sheath, the orifice permitting passage of a portion of the cuff connector therethrough in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
A method of monitoring a patient, comprising:
- disposing an inflatable cuff about a limb of the patient;
- inserting a cuff connector through a passage of a first guide, the first guide being disposed at a proximal end of a substantially tubular sheath and guiding movement of the cuff connector in a first direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sheath;
- moving the cuff connector substantially along the longitudinal axis, within a central channel of the sheath, from the proximal end toward a distal end of the sheath;
- passing a portion of the cuff connector through an orifice of the sheath in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction;
- and
- fluidly connecting the portion to the cuff while a remainder of the cuff connector is disposed within the channel.
A method of manufacturing a sheath, comprising:
- connecting a top panel of the sheath to a bottom panel of the sheath, the top and bottom panel forming a central channel 44 extending along a longitudinal axis of the sheath;
- providing a first guide proximate a proximal end of the sheath, the first guide including a front face outside of the central channel, a back face opposite the front face and facing the channel, and a passage extending from the front face to the back face, the first guide being positioned such that the longitudinal axis extends substantially centrally through the passage;
- and
- providing a second guide proximate a distal end of the sheath, the second guide overlaying an orifice of one of the top and bottom panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.