Cover for prism of an applanation tonometer and method of application thereof
First Claim
1. A disposable cover for the prism of an applanation tonometer, said prism being a rearwardly diverging frustoconical configured member with a flat forwardly disposed face, said cover comprising:
- a conformable barrier, in turn, comprisinga body portion of a substantially optically transparent material for deposition upon said flat forwardly disposed face; and
a side portion contiguous with said body portion, said side portion circumsiliently sealable to said rearwardly diverging member;
whereby said conformable barrier when mounted on said prism precludes the transfer of microorganisms from the eye of a patient to said prism during a tonometric examination without disturbing the viewing through the prism of the applanation tonometer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sterile and disposable cover for the prism of an applanation tonometer or similar device functions to preclude the transfer of microorganisms from the eye of a patient to the prism during an examination. The prism is a rearwardly diverging frustoconical configured member with a flat forwardly disposed face, and the cover includes a conformable barrier and a removable holder. The cover has a body of substantially optically transparent material for deposition upon the flat forwardly disposed face; and a side portion contiguous with the body portion. The side portion clings resiliently to the prism wall forming a seal therewith. Optionally, there are provided tab portions attached to the outer edges of the side portion, which tabs faciltate the removal of the disposable cover. The removable holder is used for depositing the barrier upon the holder includes a carrier strip releasably adhered to the barrier, with an aperture in the carrier strip for exposing the body portion and for receiving the face of the prism. This enables insertion of the prism through the aperture so that the face is emplaced on the body portion of the cover. To maintain sterility, an aperture cover is removably secured to the carrier strip on the side opposite the barrier. The aperture cover is demountable from the barrier and may be demounted without disturbing the mechanical barrier. Further, a sterile seal attached to the carrier strip completes the safeguarding of the barrier.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A disposable cover for the prism of an applanation tonometer, said prism being a rearwardly diverging frustoconical configured member with a flat forwardly disposed face, said cover comprising:
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a conformable barrier, in turn, comprising a body portion of a substantially optically transparent material for deposition upon said flat forwardly disposed face; and a side portion contiguous with said body portion, said side portion circumsiliently sealable to said rearwardly diverging member; whereby said conformable barrier when mounted on said prism precludes the transfer of microorganisms from the eye of a patient to said prism during a tonometric examination without disturbing the viewing through the prism of the applanation tonometer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sterile cover for the prism of an applanation tonometer for precluding the transfer of microorganisms from the eye of a patient to said prism during an examination and the transfer of microorganisms to the eye of the patient from said prism during an examination, said prism being a rearwardly diverging frustoconical configured member with a flat forwardly disposed face, said cover comprising:
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a conformable barrier, in turn, comprising a sterile body portion of a substantially optically transparent material for deposition upon said flat forwardly disposed face and a sterile side portion contiguous with said body portion, said side portion circumsiliently sealable to said rearwardly diverging member; tab portions attached to outer edges of said side portion for facilitating the removal of the disposable cover; and
,removable holder means for depositing said barrier upon said prism while substantially excluding air from between the barrier and the face of the prism; whereby, prior to a tonometric examination, the sterile cover is deposited onto the prism without operator contact with the sterile body and side portions of the barrier, and, after a tonometric examination, the nonsterile cover is removed from the prism without the microorganisms thereon being transferred to the operator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A disposable cover assembly for the prism on an applanation tonometer, said prism being a rearwardly diverging frustoconical configured member with a flat forwardly disposed face, said cover assembly comprising:
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a conformable barrier, in turn, comprising a body portion of a substantially optically transparent material for deposition upon said flat forwardly disposed face; and a side portion contiguous with said body portion, said side portion circumsiliently sealable to said rearwardly diverging member; removable holder means for depositing said barrier upon said prism while substantially excluding air from between the barrier and the face of the prism, said removable holder means, in turn, comprising; a carrier strip releasably adhered on one side thereof to said barrier, aperture means for exposing said body portion and for receiving therethrough said face of said prism thereby enabling the deposition of said body portion upon said face, an aperture cover removably secured to the carrier strip on the side opposite said barrier, said aperture cover being demountable without disturbing the barrier; and
,a sterile seal attached to said carrier strip; and
wherein said sterile seal, said carrier strip and said aperture cover form a sealed envelope about said barrier precluding contact thereby with microorganisms. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification