Identification of protective covers for medical imaging devices
First Claim
1. A disposable protective cover for a medical imaging device of the type having a probe with an optical system at a distal end of the probe that receives light that is imaged by the medical device, comprising:
- (a) a sheath of plastic material formed to enclose at least a portion of the probe of the medical imaging device; and
(b) a transparent head secured to the sheath at a distal end of the cover, the transparent head formed to provide a transparent window at the distal end of the probe when the cover is mounted on the probe, the transparent head formed to optically transmit light therethrough to the distal end of the probe, the transparent head having visual indicia thereon in a position that will be within the field of the medical imaging device at its distal end;
wherein the cover formed by the sheath and transparent head is formed to protect the enclosed portion of the probe from contamination when a medical device with the cover attached thereto is used in a medical procedure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protective cover for medical imaging devices of the type having a probe with an optical system at a distal end includes a sheath of plastic material formed to enclose at least a portion of the probe and a transparent head secured to the sheath at a distal end of the cover. The transparent head provides a transparent window at the distal end of the probe to allow light to enter the probe and be imaged in a normal manner. Indicia are formed on the transparent head and are imaged by the medical imaging device. The image is then analyzed to determine if the indicia as shown in the image correspond to a preselected pattern, which may be one of a group of patterns which provide indications concerning the nature of the cover. If a pattern is recognized, the information corresponding to that pattern can be provided to an operator; if no pattern is recognized or if the pattern corresponds to an improper cover for the particular imaging device, a warning can be provided to the operator or the device disabled. The protective cover can be disposed after use with a patient, and a new cover applied to enclose the portions of the probe that will contact another patient, thereby minimizing potential spread of infection.
189 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A disposable protective cover for a medical imaging device of the type having a probe with an optical system at a distal end of the probe that receives light that is imaged by the medical device, comprising:
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(a) a sheath of plastic material formed to enclose at least a portion of the probe of the medical imaging device; and
(b) a transparent head secured to the sheath at a distal end of the cover, the transparent head formed to provide a transparent window at the distal end of the probe when the cover is mounted on the probe, the transparent head formed to optically transmit light therethrough to the distal end of the probe, the transparent head having visual indicia thereon in a position that will be within the field of the medical imaging device at its distal end;
wherein the cover formed by the sheath and transparent head is formed to protect the enclosed portion of the probe from contamination when a medical device with the cover attached thereto is used in a medical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Medical imaging apparatus comprising:
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(a) a medical imaging device having a probe with an optical system at a distal end of the probe which receives light at the distal end and provides image data corresponding to the image of the light received at the distal end of the probe;
(b) a cover extending over at least a portion of the probe comprising a sheath of plastic material formed to enclose at least a portion of the probe of the medical imaging device, and a transparent head secured to the sheath at a distal end of the cover, the transparent head formed to provide a transparent window at the distal end of the probe, the transparent head formed to optically transmit light therethrough to the distal end of the probe, the transparent head having visual indicia thereon in a position within the field of the medical imaging device at its distal end; and
(c) processing means receiving the image data from the medical imaging device for analyzing the image data and recognizing selected indicia in the image from the medical imaging device corresponding to indicia on the head of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of covering a medical imaging device to protect against the spread of infection, the medical imaging device of the type having a probe with an optical system at a distal end of the probe which receives light at the distal end to provide data corresponding to an image of the light received at the distal end, comprising:
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(a) applying a cover over the probe of the medical imaging device, the cover comprising a sheath of plastic material formed to enclose at least a portion of the probe of the medical imaging device, and a transparent head secured to the sheath at a distal end of the cover, the transparent head formed to provide a transparent window at the distal end of the probe when the cover is mounted on the probe, the transparent head formed to optically transmit light therethrough to the distal end of the probe, the transparent head having visual indicia thereon in a position within the field of the medical imaging device at its distal end;
(b) taking an image with the medical imaging device of the head of the cover to provide image data;
(c) analyzing the image data to determine if the image data includes a preselected pattern; and
(d) providing an indication of whether the pattern has been found in the image. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification