Rectal probe with disposable balloon assembly

A temperature sensing probe assembly comprising:

• a handle having a length, a width, a first end and a second end;
• a temperature sensor strip carried by the handle and extending from the first end of the handle, the temperature sensor strip comprising a temperature sensor spaced from the first end, the temperature sensor configured for connection to a thermometry device;
• a balloon-and-sleeve assembly comprising:
• opposing first and second layers of a flexible polymeric material configured to define a balloon and a sleeve that extends longitudinally from the balloon, the balloon further comprising a first interior space in communication with an interior space of the sleeve, and a second interior space isolated from the first interior space and from the interior space of the sleeve,
• wherein the balloon comprises a third polymeric layer having a perimeter edge corresponding to a perimeter of the balloon and an end portion facing the sleeve, the perimeter edge connected to the first and second polymeric layers of the balloon, the first and third polymeric layers defining the first interior space of the balloon and the second and third polymeric layers defining the second interior space of the balloon,
• wherein the first and third layers of the balloon are configured to define a temperature sensor channel, the temperature sensor channel in communication with the interior space of the sleeve, and
• wherein the temperature sensor channel is defined by first and second spaced heat seal lines connecting opposing surfaces of the first and third layers, the temperature sensor channel being centrally positioned on the balloon;
• and
• an inflation tube having a first tube portion sealingly connected within the second interior space of the balloon, the first tube portion configured with an inflation port, the inflation tube further having a second tube portion extending through the interior space of the sleeve and being configured for connection to a fluid source,
• wherein the handle is reversibly positionable within the sleeve and the temperature sensor strip is reversibly positionable within the first interior space of the balloon.

A temperature sensing probe assembly comprising:

• a handle having a length, a width, a first end and a second end;
• a temperature sensor strip carried by the handle and extending from the first end of the handle, the temperature sensor strip comprising a temperature sensor spaced from the first end, the temperature sensor configured for connection to a thermometry device;
• a balloon-and-sleeve assembly comprising:
• opposing first and second layers of a flexible polymeric material to define a balloon and a sleeve that extends longitudinally from the balloon, the balloon further comprising a first interior space in communication with an interior space of the sleeve, and a second interior space isolated from the first interior space and from the interior space of the sleeve,
• wherein the balloon comprises third and fourth polymeric layers each having a perimeter edge connected to the first and second polymeric layers, the first and third layers defining the first interior space of the balloon and the second and fourth layers defining the second interior space of the balloon;
• and
• an inflation tube having a first tube portion sealingly connected within the second interior space of the balloon, the first tube portion configured with an inflation port, the inflation tube further having a second tube portion extending through the interior space of the sleeve and movable within the interior space of the sleeve independent of the respective layers defining the sleeve, wherein the second tube portion is configured for connection to a fluid source,
• wherein the handle is reversibly positionable within the sleeve and the temperature sensor strip is reversibly positionable within the first interior space of the balloon.

A balloon-and-sleeve assembly for use with a temperature sensing probe comprised of a handle and a temperature sensor strip extending from one end of the handle, the balloon-and-sleeve assembly comprising:

• opposing first and second polymeric layers configured to define a balloon and a sleeve that extends longitudinally from the balloon, the balloon comprising a first enclosed interior space and a second enclosed interior space, the first interior space in communication with an interior space of the sleeve and configured to contain the temperature sensor strip when the handle is positioned in the interior space of the sleeve, the second interior space isolated from the first interior space and from the interior space of the sleeve,
• wherein the balloon comprises a third polymeric layer having a perimeter edge corresponding to a perimeter of the balloon and an end portion facing the sleeve, the perimeter edge portion connected to the first and second polymeric layers of the balloon, the first and third polymeric layers defining the first interior space of the balloon and the second and third polymeric layers defining the second interior space of the balloon,
• wherein the balloon further comprises a central channel formed in the first interior space, the central channel comprising spaced first and second seal lines connecting facing surfaces of the first and third polymeric layers, the central channel in communication with the interior of the sleeve for receiving and locating the temperature sensor strip in the first interior space of the balloon;
• and
• an inflation tube having a first tube portion sealingly connected within the second interior space of the balloon, the first tube portion configured with an inflation port, the inflation tube further having a second tube portion extending through the interior space of the sleeve and being configured for connection to a fluid source.