Immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe

An immersed ultrasound system comprising:

• a. an ultrasound probe, the ultrasound probe having a body, a transducer on a lower region of the body and a control/power cable on an upper region of the body;
• b. an immersion bag system, the immersion bag system having an immersion bag, wherein the immersion bag includes an upper open end and a closed lower end and a flexible collar, an integral annular seal in the flexible collar for sealing about the upper open end, wherein the integral annular internal seal has at least one self-sealing valve extending along, about and through the annular internal seal thereby providing a unidirectional air passage, thereby permitting the escape of air or liquid from within the immersion bag to limit the pressure therein and close upon partial or complete equalization between the immersion bag interior and ambient pressure, and a capture ring;
• and,
• c. wherein the lower region of the ultrasound probe is sealed within the immersion bag and the immersion bag system is affixed to the lower region of the body of the ultrasound probe such that the transducer is immersed in an ultrasound transmission medium carried in the immersion bag and separates the transducer from the end tip of the immersion bag or anatomical structure.

A sterile pre-packaged disposable immersion bag system, for use with an ultrasound probe having a body, a transducer on a lower region of the body and a control/power cable on an upper region of the body, the immersion bag system comprising:

• a. an immersion bag, having a generally tubular shape with an upper open end and a domed lower end;
• b. a flexible collar with an integral annular seal in the flexible collar, the flexible collar surrounding the bag adjacent the upper open end, an integral annular seal in the flexible collar for sealing about the upper open end, wherein the integral annular internal seal has at least one self-sealing valve extending along, about and through the annular internal seal thereby providing a unidirectional air passage, thereby permitting the escape of air or liquid from within the immersion bag to limit the pressure therein and close upon partial or complete equalization between the immersion bag interior and ambient pressure;
• c. a capture ring, for sealing the upper open end of the immersion bag to the flexible collar;
• d. a removable top applied to the immersion bag adjacent the flexible collar and capture ring;
• e. an ultrasound transmission medium contained in the immersion bag by the removable top;
• and,
• f. wherein the lower region of the ultrasound probe may be sealed within the immersion bag upon immersion of the transducer and lower region of the body of the ultrasound probe into the ultrasound transmission medium in the immersion bag and the immersion bag system becomes affixed to the lower region of the body of the ultrasound probe such that the transducer is immersed in an ultrasound transmission medium carried in the immersion bag and separates the transducer from the immersion bag and from the anatomical structure under examination.

A method of ultrasonic examination of an eye comprising the steps of:

• a. providing an ultrasound probe having a transducer;
• b. providing an ultrasound transmission medium to contact the transducer of the ultrasound probe;
• c. providing an immersion bag, having an interior and an exterior, to hold the ultrasound transmission medium in the interior of the bag, wherein the immersion bag includes an upper open end and a closed lower end and a flexible collar, an integral annular seal in the flexible collar for sealing about the upper open end, wherein the integral annular internal seal has at least one self-sealing valve extending along, about and through the annular internal seal thereby providing a unidirectional air passage, thereby permitting the escape of air or liquid from within the immersion bag to limit the pressure therein and close upon partial or complete equalization between the immersion bag interior and ambient pressure;
• d. immersing the transducer into the ultrasound transmission medium in the immersion bag;
• e. placing the exterior of the immersion bag against the eye or selected areas being examined with the ultrasound transmission medium in contact with the transducer of the ultrasound probe on the interior, such that the bag conforms to the external structure;
• and,
• f. scanning the eye or other structure through the ultrasound transmission medium with the immersion bag in contact with the anatomical areas.