Tympanic thermometer probe cover

• US 6,042,266 A
• Filed: 03/30/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PMP Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Trutek Corp
• Inventors: Cheslock, Edward P., Canfield, Eric L., Harris, Richard K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US09/049,926
• Time in Patent Office: 729 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

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 comprising:

a compressible, deformable material formed to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body that is dimensioned to be at least partially inserted into the outer ear canal of a human being, said 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 structure so that said deformable hollow body stretches and thereby frictionally engages said portion of said radiant energy sensing structure while being readily removable therefrom after use.

2. A disposable probe cover as in claim 1 wherein said compressible, deformable material comprises foam.

3. A disposable probe cover as in claim 1 wherein said probe cover when inserted into the outer ear canal, deforms so as to substantially seal the outer ear canal.

4. A disposable probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the passage terminates in an opening, said opening admitting electromagnetic energy into the passage to strike said radiant energy sensing structure.

5. A disposable probe cover comprising a hollow body comprising a compressible, deformable material, the probe cover, in use, stretching to accept and thereby frictionally engaging an oversized radiant energy sensing probe and for insertion into the external acoustical meatus of the human body, said probe cover being readily strippable from said energy sensing probe after use.

6. A disposable probe cover as in claim 5 wherein said compressible, deformable material comprises foam.

7. A disposable probe cover as in claim 5 wherein said probe cover, when inserted into the external acoustical meatus, deforms so as to substantially seal the external acoustical meatus.

8. A disposable probe cover as in claim 7 further including a thin plastic film membrane laminated onto at least a portion of the body and pre-stretched across the opening.