Unitary disposable sanitary sheath for temperature and respiration sensing probe
First Claim
1. A unitary disposable sanitary sheath for use with a temperature and respiration probe, comprising an elongated tube having a closed front end, an open and hollow rear end having an interior for insertion of a portion of said probe into said sheath, and a tapered portion extending rearwardly from said front end to said open and hollow rear end, the walls of said tapered portion being substantially thinner than the remainder of the sheath;
- said tube further comprising an upper surface disposed rearwardly of said tapered portion, said upper surface forming a cup-like scoop opening upwardly from said surface of said tube;
said upper surface being discontinuous so as to form at least one respiration inlet aperture therein, said at least one respiration inlet aperture being in fluid communication with said temperature and respiration probe via the interior of said open and hollow rear end of said tube when said probe portion is inserted into said sheath;
whereby, upon insertion of said probe portion into said sheath, and insertion of said probe portion and sheath into a patient'"'"'s mouth, air expired through the patient'"'"'s nose is collected and directed by said scoop into and through said at least one respiration inlet aperture.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A unitary disposable sanitary sheath is intended to cover a combination temperature and respiration sensing probe so as to not adversely affect the sensing properties of the probe. An elongated portion is provided having very thin walls to surround the temperature sensing means yet to not greatly affect its thermal conductivity characteristics. A cup-like scoop is provided to channel the respiration exhalation into the probe inlet and the scoop also having a flattened portion which is located at the place normally clasped by a patient'"'"'s lips to prevent rotation of the probe and sheath during a measurement operation.
38 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A unitary disposable sanitary sheath for use with a temperature and respiration probe, comprising an elongated tube having a closed front end, an open and hollow rear end having an interior for insertion of a portion of said probe into said sheath, and a tapered portion extending rearwardly from said front end to said open and hollow rear end, the walls of said tapered portion being substantially thinner than the remainder of the sheath;
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said tube further comprising an upper surface disposed rearwardly of said tapered portion, said upper surface forming a cup-like scoop opening upwardly from said surface of said tube; said upper surface being discontinuous so as to form at least one respiration inlet aperture therein, said at least one respiration inlet aperture being in fluid communication with said temperature and respiration probe via the interior of said open and hollow rear end of said tube when said probe portion is inserted into said sheath; whereby, upon insertion of said probe portion into said sheath, and insertion of said probe portion and sheath into a patient'"'"'s mouth, air expired through the patient'"'"'s nose is collected and directed by said scoop into and through said at least one respiration inlet aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A disposable sanitary sheath for use with a temperature and respiration sensing probe, said sheath comprising:
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an elongated tubular portion having a thin-walled tapered portion at a closed end thereof, a hollow transition portion being substantially rectangular in cross section and being joined to said elongated tubular portion so as to be in communication with the interior thereof, said transition portion being arranged so that the longer sides of the rectangle form the top and bottom surfaces of the sheath, a hollow rear portion being joined to said hollow transition portion so that the interiors of said hollow rear portion and said hollow transition portion are in communication and having an opening for insertion of said probe into said sheath, a cup-like scoop portion having curved walls joined to a top surface of said rear portion and having an open top area facing upwardly and an open front area facing toward said hollow transition portion, and a respiration inlet aperture arranged substantially horizontally and disposed at the bottom of said cup-like scoop and extending through the top surface of said hollow rear portion, whereby upon insertion of said probe into said sheathand said probe and sheath into a patient'"'"'s mouth, air expired through the patient'"'"'s nose is collected and directed by said scoop into and through said respiration inlet aperture. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification