Unitary probe cover

• US 5,088,834 A
• Filed: 08/30/1991
• Issued: 02/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kaz USA Incorporated (Helen of Troy Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thermoscan Incorporated (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Inventors: Howe, Randall R., Brown, Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTIERREZ, DIEGO F
• Application Number:
  US07/752,932
• Time in Patent Office: 172 Days
• Field of Search: 374/209, 374/158, 128/736, 128/664, 206/306
• US Class Current: 374/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/021 Probe covers for thermometers, e.g. tympanic thermometers; Containers for probe covers; Disposable probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/05 Means for preventing contamination of the components of the optical system; Means for preventing obstruction of the radiation path

Abstract

A unitary probe cover for an infrared radiation thermometer has a frustum-shaped sheath which fits over the thermometer probe. A base, which is engageable with the probe, is formed integrally with and around the periphery of the proximal end of the sheath to hold the sheath over the probe. The sheath is made of an infrared transparent material and is formed to have a thinner distal end portion terminating in a thin window which passes infrared radiation through the probe into the thermometer.

Claims

1. A unitary cover for the hollow probe on a radiation detecting thermometer with said probe having a proximal portion at said thermometer and a distal opening at its opposite end, which cover comprises:

a one-piece hollow sheath having a side wall composed of a proximal portion followed by a distal portion, an open end of said proximal portion integral with which is a base engaged therewith for mounting said sheath on said probe and a closed end integral with said distal portion and in use disposed across said distal opening as a window, said closed end and said distal portion being of the same thickness which is substantially thinner than said proximal portion and said base and sufficiently thin to be effectively transparent for transmission of infrared radiation through said distal opening.

2. A cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said proximal portion is frustum-shaped and is made of a polymer material.

3. A cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe has an infrared transparent end and said window stretchably covers said end.

4. A cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said side wall connects said window with said base, said wall having a distal portion and a proximal portion with said distal portion and said window having the same thickness, and said proximal portion tapering with increasing thickness from said distal portion in the direction toward said base.

5. A cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said side wall connects said window with said base, said side wall having a distal portion and a proximal portion with said distal portion and said window having a first thickness and said proximal portion having a thickness greater than said first thickness.

6. A cover as defined in claim 5 wherein said base and said proximal portion of said wall are stiff as compared with said distal portion.

7. A cover as defined in claim 5 wherein said window and said distal portion are flaccid as compared with said proximal portion.

8. A cover as defined in claim 1 wherein said base has a configuration that establishes an interference fit with said probe.

9. A unitarily constructed seamless sanitary one-piece cover for the probe on a radiation detecting thermometer with said probe having a proximal portion at said thermometer and a distal opening at its opposite end, which cover comprises:

an effectively IR-transparent window positionable over said distal opening of said probe to close said probe and allow radiation to pass through said probe;

a continuous wall terminating in a distal closed end which constitutes said window beyond which said wall has a distal portion of the same thickness integrally formed with said window and with said wall continuing and becoming thicker only beyond said distal portion as a proximal portion terminating in an open proximal end defining a periphery;

and a base dimensioned for surrounding engagement with said probe, said base being integrally formed with said wall to circumferentially surround said periphery and extend radially therefrom.

10. A cover as defined in claim 9 wherein said proximal portion is frustum-shaped and is made of a polymer material.

11. A cover as defined in claim 9 wherein said distal portion and said window have the same thickness and said proximal portion and said base have a thickness larger than said same thickness, said wall gradually tapering in thickness from said proximal portion to said same thickness of said distal portion and said window.

12. A cover as defined in claim 9 wherein said window stretchably covers said distal opening of said probe.

13. A cover as defined in claim 9 wherein said base and said proximal portion of said wall are substantially stiff as compared with said distal portion.

14. A cover as defined in claim 9 wherein said base has a configuration that establishes an interference fit with said probe.