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.
Claims21
(canceled)
A probe cover, comprising:
- a distal end;
- a proximal end;
- a wall extending from the distal end to the proximal end;
- and
- a flange disposed at the proximal end, the flange being configured to receive a force from an ejector mechanism, and the wall being configured to flex in response to the force being applied to the flange, the flange including:
- a radially outer-most surface, and
- a proximally-facing surface extending, from the radially outer-most surface, proximally 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 to the proximal end, the wall including an inner surface facing a central longitudinal axis of the probe cover;
- and
- a flange disposed at the proximal end, the flange being configured to receive a force from an ejector mechanism, and a section of the wall being configured to flex in response to the force being applied to the flange, the flange including:
- a base of the probe cover,
- a radially outer-most surface, and
- a proximally-facing surface extending, from the radially outer-most surface, proximally 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 wall extending from the distal end to the proximal end;
- forming a flange at the proximal end, the flange being configured to receive a force from an ejector mechanism, and the wall being configured to flex in response to the force being applied to the flange, the flange including:
- a radially outer-most surface, and
- a proximally-facing surface extending, from the radially outer-most surface, proximally and radially inwardly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.