Thermometer probe for use with disposable probe cover
First Claim
1. A temperature probe for use with a probe cover having a closed distal end and an open proximal end, comprising:
- a shaft having a distal end for receipt into the probe cover through the probe cover open proximal end and a proximal section;
a handle disposed at the proximal section of the shaft such that the shaft extends into the handle for axial movement therein between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
a retention device located at the distal end of the handle configured to engage the open proximal end of the probe cover and retain it in position on the shaft;
a biasing member disposed within the handle and urging the shaft with a force to the extended position, the biasing member providing less force to move the shaft into the extended position than the force that the retention device is providing to retain the probe cover on the shaft;
an ejector control having a distal end slidably received in the proximal end of the handle and having a proximal end for use in receiving force that urges the ejector control into the handle, the ejector control being decoupled from the both the shaft and biasing member; and
an ejector member connected with the ejector control and extending longitudinally through the handle to exit the handle adjacent the shaft and contact the probe cover at its open proximal end whereby moving the ejector control in a predetermined direction will cause the ejector member to press against the proximal end of the probe cover and displace it from contact with the retention device, whereby the probe cover may be removed from contact with the probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical probe having a handle with an end cap mounted at the proximal end of the handle for urging ejector wires through the handle and out of the distal end of the handle to push off a probe cover frictionally secured to the probe and overlying a probe shaft. The retention device to retain the probe cover on the probe comprises a lip that forces the probe cover into a different shape. The probe shaft is secured to the handle and is slidable axially within the handle and is urged into a fully extended position by a coil spring mounted in the handle. A cable runs through the end cap for connecting the sensor located in the probe to a measurement and display device, such as a thermometer. The end cap has a radius that assists in relieving stress on the cable.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A temperature probe for use with a probe cover having a closed distal end and an open proximal end, comprising:
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a shaft having a distal end for receipt into the probe cover through the probe cover open proximal end and a proximal section;
a handle disposed at the proximal section of the shaft such that the shaft extends into the handle for axial movement therein between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
a retention device located at the distal end of the handle configured to engage the open proximal end of the probe cover and retain it in position on the shaft;
a biasing member disposed within the handle and urging the shaft with a force to the extended position, the biasing member providing less force to move the shaft into the extended position than the force that the retention device is providing to retain the probe cover on the shaft;
an ejector control having a distal end slidably received in the proximal end of the handle and having a proximal end for use in receiving force that urges the ejector control into the handle, the ejector control being decoupled from the both the shaft and biasing member; and
an ejector member connected with the ejector control and extending longitudinally through the handle to exit the handle adjacent the shaft and contact the probe cover at its open proximal end whereby moving the ejector control in a predetermined direction will cause the ejector member to press against the proximal end of the probe cover and displace it from contact with the retention device, whereby the probe cover may be removed from contact with the probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A temperature probe for use with a probe cover having a closed distal end and an open proximal end, comprising:
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a shaft having a distal end for receipt into the probe cover through the probe cover open proximal end and a proximal section;
a handle disposed at the proximal section of the shaft such that the shaft extends into the handle for axial movement therein between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position, the handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
a retention device located at the distal end of the handle configured to engage the proximal end of the probe cover and retain it in position on the shaft, the retention device comprising a raised lip formed in a shape different that than of the proximal end of the probe cover such that when mounting the probe cover onto the retention device, the proximal end of the probe cover is forced to conform to the shape of the lip;
a biasing member disposed within the handle and urging the shaft to the extended position, the biasing member providing less force to move the shaft into the extended position than the force that the retention device is providing to retain the probe cover on the shaft;
an ejector control device having a distal end slidably received in the proximal end of the handle and having a proximal end for use in receiving force that urges the ejector control into the handle, the ejector control device being decoupled from both the shaft and biasing member; and
an ejector member connected with the ejector control and extending longitudinally through the handle to exit the handle adjacent the shaft and contact the probe cover at its proximal end whereby moving the ejector control in a predetermined direction will cause the ejector member to press against the proximal end of the probe cover and displace it from contact with the retention device, whereby the probe cover may be removed from contact with the probe. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A temperature probe for use with a probe cover having a closed distal end and an open proximal end, comprising:
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a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
a probe shaft having a proximal section mounted to the handle distal end and a distal end for receipt into the probe cover through the probe cover open proximal end;
a retention device located at the distal end of the handle configured to engage the proximal end of the probe cover and retain it in position on the shaft; and
an ejector member located at the handle to exit the handle adjacent the probe shaft and contact the probe cover at its proximal end, the ejector member being decoupled from the shaft;
whereby moving the ejector member in a distal direction will cause the ejector member to press against the proximal end of the probe cover and displace it from contact with the retention device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
a biasing member disposed within the handle and urging the shaft to the extended position, the biasing member providing less force to move the shaft into the extended position than the force that the retention device is providing to retain the probe cover on the shaft.
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Specification