US 7,118,533 B2Granted

Disinfecting and storage apparatus for a trans-esophageal probe

OwnerMark Chandler Kime, Richard Hartley Johnstoninventors

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Abstract

An apparatus adapted for use with a trans-esophageal probe. The apparatus comprises a disinfecting unit and a storage unit, each of which includes a tubular housing having an interior, upper and lower ends, and an opening at the upper end for access to the interior. The disinfecting unit includes a support above the upper end of its housing for supporting a handle of a probe whose probe end is within the interior of the housing. The interior of the disinfecting unit is adapted to contain a fluid, and is equipped with a fluid level indicator and a drain for draining the fluid from the housing. The storage unit includes an enclosure removably mounted to the upper end of its housing for enclosing the handle end of a probe whose probe end is within the interior of the housing. Both units further include a support for a connector of a probe placed in the unit.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for a trans-esophageal probe having a handle end, an oppositely-disposed probe end, and a connector for connecting the probe to an echocardiography unit, the apparatus comprising a disinfecting unit and a storage unit;

wherein the disinfecting unit comprises:
a substantially tubular first housing having an interior for containing a fluid, an upper end, and an oppositely-disposed lower end, the upper end having an opening for access to the interior of the first housing, the opening in the upper end and the probe end of the probe being sized so that the opening is substantially closed by the probe end when the probe end is received in the first housing;
probe support means above the upper end of the first housing for supporting the handle end of the probe while the probe end thereof is within the interior of the first housing;
first means for supporting the connector of the probe while the handle end of the probe is supported by the probe support means;
means for indicating the level of fluid within the first housing;
and
means for draining the fluid from the first housing;
and wherein the storage unit comprises:
a substantially tubular second housing having an interior, an upper end, and an oppositely-disposed lower end, the upper end of the second housing having an opening for access to the interior of the second housing;
means removably mounted to the upper end of the second housing for enclosing the handle end of the probe while the probe end thereof is within the interior of the second housing;
and
second means for supporting the connector of the probe while the probe end is within the interior of the second housing and the handle end is enclosed by the enclosing means.

9 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a trans-esophageal probe having a handle end, an oppositely-disposed probe end, and a connector for connecting the probe to an echocardiography unit;
a disinfecting unit comprising:
a first backing plate;
a substantially vertical and tubular first housing secured to the first backing plate, the first housing having an interior for containing a disinfectant fluid, an upper end, and an oppositely-disposed lower end, the upper end having an opening for access to the interior of the first housing, the opening in the upper end and the probe end of the probe being sized so that the opening is substantially closed by the probe end when the probe end is received in the first housing;
probe support means adjustably secured to the first backing plate so as to be above and spaced apart from the opening in the upper end of the first housing, the probe support means being adapted to support the handle end of the probe while the probe end thereof is within the interior of the first housing;
first means for supporting the connector of the probe while the handle end of the probe is supported by the probe support means;
means for indicating the level of the disinfectant fluid within the first housing;
and
a drain at the lower end of the first housing for draining the disinfectant fluid from the interior of the first housing;
and a storage unit comprising:
a second backing plate;
a substantially vertical and tubular second housing secured to the second backing plate, the second housing having an interior, an upper end, and an oppositely-disposed closed lower end, the upper end of the second housing having an opening for access to the interior of the second housing, the opening in the upper end and the probe end of the probe being sized so that the opening is substantially closed by the probe end when the probe end is received in the second housing;
means removably mounted to the upper end of the second housing for enclosing the handle end of the probe while the probe end thereof is within the interior of the second housing;
and
second means for supporting the connector of the probe while the handle end of the probe is enclosed by the enclosing means.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/249,762Filed 6 May 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 6 May 2002
Published: US 2003/0208115 A16 Nov 2003
Granted: 10 Oct 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

A61B 8/12
Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
A61L 2/18
Using chemical substances: liquid substances
A61L 2/26
Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor: accessories
A61L 2103/15
Materials or objects being the target of disinfection or sterilisation: laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps