Disposable speculum with bonding ring
First Claim
1. A speculum for a tympanic thermometer that rapidly senses infrared radiation in an external ear canal of a patient via a sensing probe, comprising:
- a substantially rigid body portion configured and dimensioned for having the probe inserted therein in a longitudinal direction;
a thin film membrane connected to and extending across a forward end of the body portion;
the membrane being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene and;
means for establishing a predetermined longitudinal relationship between the body portion and the probe such that the film membrane is adapted to be stretched over a forward end of the probe.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sanitary protective cover or sheath for the ear canal probe of a tympanic thermometer. The speculum has a generally tubular body portion and an infrared transparent membrane attached to and sealing the forward end of the body portion. While the tubular body portion is being injection molded of plastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene, a film of a similar plastic material is mated to the forward end of membrane and is thus severed from the film and one side thereof thermally bonded to the tubular body portion. At the same time a bonding ring of roughly the same diameter as the forward end of the tubular body portion is injection molded. The ring is thermally bonded to the opposite side of the film in alignment with the forward end of the tubular body portion.
68 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A speculum for a tympanic thermometer that rapidly senses infrared radiation in an external ear canal of a patient via a sensing probe, comprising:
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a substantially rigid body portion configured and dimensioned for having the probe inserted therein in a longitudinal direction; a thin film membrane connected to and extending across a forward end of the body portion; the membrane being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene and; means for establishing a predetermined longitudinal relationship between the body portion and the probe such that the film membrane is adapted to be stretched over a forward end of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A disposable cover for a tympanic thermometer that senses infrared radiation in an external ear canal of a patient via a sensing probe, comprising:
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a substantially rigid body portion having an opening sized for having the probe inserted therethrough in a longitudinal direction; a thin film membrane connected to and extending across the body portion; the membrane being made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and polypropylene; and means on the body portion for establishing a predetermined longitudinal relationship between the body portion and the probe such that the film membrane is adapted to be stretched over a forward end of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification