Tympanic thermometer probe cover

• US 6,030,117 A
• Filed: 06/03/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PMP Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Trutek Corp
• Inventors: Harris, Richard K., Cheslock, Edward P., Canfield, Eric L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US08/867,838
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 374/158, 374/209, 374/121, 600/549, 600/474, 600/200, 600/203, 600/186, 600/184, 206/306
• US Class Current: 374/158
• 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 5/046 Materials; Selection of thermal materials
• 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 disposable probe cover for an electronic tympanic ("ear") thermometer is made of closed-cell foam that is laminated with a sheet of high density polyethylene plastic film substantially transparent to infrared radiant energy. The probe cover is hollow, defining a central passageway that accepts an oversized probe and can potentially accommodate a variety of different probe configurations. The foam construction allows the probe cover to stretch over the oversized probe--retaining the probe cover on the probe during use. The foam construction also allows the probe cover to deform when inserted into a patient'"'"'s ear--sealing the patient'"'"'s ear canal to prevent external heat and light from affecting the measurement, and providing a high degree of cushioning and comfort not available in any prior disposable probe cover design. The film laminate and foam provide a barrier that is impervious to germs, fluids and other secretions--further reducing the already low risk of cross-contamination. The probe cover design facilitates accurate, repeatable measurements using a temperature measuring instrument based on receiving and analyzing the radiant infrared heat energy emitted by the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Claims

1. A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising foam molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in use, removably accepting at least a portion of said radiant energy sensing probe so that the deformable hollow body stretches over and thereby frictionally engages said probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is removably inserted, said molded foam body, in use, being separated from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover.

2. A disposable probe cover as in claim 1 further including a further opening defined by said foam body through which radiation can pass to reach the probe when the probe is inserted within said foam body, and a thin plastic film membrane laminated onto at least a portion of the body and pre-stretched across the further opening.

3. A disposable probe cover as in claim 1 wherein said probe has an outer profile that approximates the external acoustic meatus of the ear of a human subject, and said probe cover conforms to said probe outer profile so as to provide increased comfort when said probe and probe cover are inserted into said subject'"'"'s ear.

4. A disposable probe cover as in claim 1 wherein said foam, in use, provides thermal isolation for said probe.

5. A disposable foam-based probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe having an outer surface, said disposable foam-based probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable foam-based probe cover comprising a hollow body comprising a compressible foam material and having a cavity therein terminating in an opening, the probe cover, in use, accepting said radiant energy sensing probe that is oversized relative to said cavity, said foam-based probe cover at least partially deforming over said oversized probe when said probe is inserted through said opening so as to frictionally engage said probe outer surface and thereby removably retain said probe cover on said probe, said probe cover into which said probe has been inserted being shaped for insertion into the external acoustical meatus of ear of the human body, said foam providing a cushioning effect to increase the subject'"'"'s comfort, said probe cover, in use, being stripped from said sensing probe without damaging said sensing probe after said probe and said probe cover are removed from said external acoustical meatus.

6. A disposable probe cover as in claim 5 wherein said probe has an outer profile that approximates the external acoustic meatus of the ear of a human subject, and said probe cover conforms to said probe outer profile so as to provide increased comfort when said probe and probe cover are inserted into said subject'"'"'s ear.

7. A disposable probe cover as in claim 5 wherein said foam, in use, provides thermal isolation for said probe.

8. A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising:

a foam sheet molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in use, accepting at least a portion of a radiant energy sensing probe so that the deformable hollow body stretches over and thereby frictionally engages said probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is, in use, removably inserted, said molded foam sheet, in use, being stripped from said radiant energy sensing probe without damaging said sensing probe, after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover before re-use.

9. A disposable probe cover as in claim 8 wherein said probe cover defines a further opening, and further includes a thin plastic film membrane laminated onto at least a portion of the body and pre-stretched across the further opening.

10. A disposable probe cover as in claim 8 wherein said probe has an outer profile that approximates the external acoustic meatus of the ear of a human subject, and said probe cover conforms to said probe outer profile so as to provide increased comfort when said probe and probe cover are inserted into said subject'"'"'s ear.

11. A disposable probe cover as in claim 8 wherein said foam in use, provides thermal isolation for said probe.

12. A disposable foam-based probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover having a passageway defined therein, said probe cover comprising a hollow body comprising a compressible foam material, the probe cover, in use, accepting said radiant energy sensing probe that is oversized relative to the dimension of said passageway so that said compressible foam at least partially deforms over said radiant energy sensing probe and thereby frictionally engages said probe so as to removably retain said compressible foam on said probe during use, said probe cover and inserted probe being shaped for insertion into the external acoustical meatus of the ear of the human body, said probe cover, in use, being stripped from said radiant energy sensing probe without damaging said probe after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover before re-use of said probe.

13. A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising:

foam molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in uses removably accepting at least a portion of said radiant energy sensing probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is removably inserted, said molded foam body, in use, being separated from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover,

wherein said probe is oversized relative to said passage, and said foam at least partially deforms when said probe is inserted into said passage so as to removably, frictionally engage said probe.

14. A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising:

a foam sheet molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in use, accepting at least a portion of said radiant energy sensing probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is, in use, removably inserted, said molded foam sheet, in use, being stripped from said radiant energy sensing probe without damaging said sensing probe, after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover before re-use,

wherein said probe is oversized relative to said passage, and said foam at least partially deforms when said probe is inserted into said passage so as to removably, frictionally engage said probe.