Disposable tissue probe tip

• US 6,839,583 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2000
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (TDK Corporation)
• Inventors: Quast, Kenneth R., Lewandowski, Mark S., Rupp, Diane L., Myers, Dean E., Ortner, Joseph P., Schmidt, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCrosky, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/584,862
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/323, 600/344, 600/322
• US Class Current: 600/344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0233 Optical standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/2866 Markers; Calibrating of scan
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0205 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0232 using shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/274 Calibration, base line adjustment, drift correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3151 using two sources of radiation of different wavelengths G01N21/33 - G01N21/39 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2808 using a mixing element which evenly distributes an input signal over a number of outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 : coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers

Abstract

A disposable tip adapted for use in connection with an optical probe of an instrument. The tip includes a one-piece molded elastomeric base member having a boot and an opaque tissue-engaging surface. The boot releasably mates with and provides an interference/friction fit to the probe. The tissue-engaging surface surrounds and extends from the boot. A window in the base member extends into the boot to transmit light between the probe and tissue. A layer of optically transparent material covers the window on the tissue-engaging surface. Adhesive on the tissue-engaging surface of the base member releasably secures the probe to the tissue being analyzed.

Claims

1. A disposable tip adapted for use in connection with an optical probe of an instrument, including:

a one piece elastomeric base member having an extended tissue-engaging surface and structure for releasably engaging the optical probe of the instrument, the structure for releasably engaging includes a cavity for engaging a projection on the probe, the cavity having outwardly sloping inner walls with increasing distance toward the tissue-facing surface for mating with the projection on the probe; and

a window in the base member for transmitting light between the probe and a tissue.

2. The tip of claim 1 and further including adhesive on the tissue-enganging surface of the base member for releaseably securing the tip to a patient.

3. The tip of claim 2 and further including a release liner covering the adhesive.

4. The tip of claim 1 wherein the cavity surrounds the window.

5. The tip of claim 1 wherein the structure for engaging the optical probe surrounds the window.

6. The tip of claim 1 wherein the window includes an optically transparent member mounted to the base member.

7. The tip of claim 1 and further including adhesive on an optically clear substrate which covers the window and tissue-engaging surface of the base member.

8. The tip of claim 1 wherein the tip and window are a one-piece member.

9. The tip of claim 1 wherein the structure for releasably engaging the probe provides an interference/friction fit to the probe.

10. The tip of claim 1 wherein the tissue-engaging surface of the base member is optically opaque.

11. A disposable tip adapted for use in connection with an optical probe of an instrument, including:

a one-piece molded elastomeric base member including;

a boot having a cavity with outwardly sloping interior walls with increasing distance toward the tissue-facing surface for releasably mating with and providing an interference/friction fit to the probe; and

a tissue-engaging surface surrounding and extending from the boot;

a window in the base member extending into the cavity of the boot, for transmitting light between the probe and tissue;

a layer of optically transparent material over the window on the tissue-engaging surface; and

adhesive on the tissue-engaging surface of the base member, for releasably securing the probe to tissue being analyzed.

12. The disposable tip of claim 11 wherein the tissue-engaging surface is optically opaque.

13. The disposable tip of claim 12 and further including a release liner covering the adhesive.

14. The disposable tip of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the optically transparent window extends to an edge of the base member.