Probe cover with matching feature for a medical thermometer

• US 8,882,347 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2009
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
• Original Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
• Inventors: Fraden, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Jagan, Mirellys
• Application Number:
  US12/675,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20110134962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 374/158, 374/209
• US Class Current: 374/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0271 Thermal or temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/18 Shielding or protection of sensors from environmental influences, e.g. protection from mechanical damage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0025 Living bodies ear thermometers G01J5/0011; detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• 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: G01K 1/08 Protective devices, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/252 for tympanic thermometers

Abstract

A probe cover for medical thermometer has a matching feature for preventing its use with an incompatible thermometer. A mechanical matching feature of the probe cover includes at least one of a fold, a step, or a series of holes or indentations that are respectively matched to a ridge, a valley or series of pins formed on the front end of a compatible thermometer. When applied to the compatible thermometer, the mechanical matching feature permits the probe cover to be fully seated on and retained by the probe, thereby placing the thermometer in condition for use. Alternatively, an opto-electronic matching feature of the probe cover includes a reflective layer for use with an opto-electronic detection circuit of a compatible thermometer. When applied to the compatible thermometer, the opto-electronic detection detects the reflective layer and places the compatible thermometer in an operational state for use.

Claims

1. A probe cover for covering a probe of a thermometer, the probe comprising a proximal end in proximity to the housing of the thermometer and distal end, the probe cover comprising:

a tip portion configured for covering the distal end of the probe;

a base portion configured for retaining the probe cover at the proximal end of the probe; and

a body portion disposed between the tip portion and the base portion, wherein;

the tip portion, the body portion and the base portion are sequentially disposed in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the probe cover, and

the base portion includes one or more matching features each configured to engage a corresponding feature of the housing of the thermometer for seating the probe cover on the probe, the one or more matching features comprising relieved portions including one or more openings extending through the base portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the probe cover.

2. The probe cover of claim 1, wherein:

the base portion includes a brim extending laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the probe cover, the one or more matching features disposed in the brim.

3. The probe cover of claim 1, wherein:

the base portion further includes at least one protrusion extending laterally away from the longitudinal axis for engaging a locating element of the probe to locate the cover at a seating position on the probe.

4. The probe cover of claim 3, wherein a lateral distance from a lateralmost portion of each matching feature to the longitudinal axis is larger than a lateral distance from a lateralmost portion of the at least one protrusion to the longitudinal axis.

5. A thermometer, comprising:

a housing;

a probe extending from the housing along a longitudinal axis, the probe being configured for receiving thermal energy indicative of a temperature; and

a probe cover for covering the probe, the probe cover comprising;

a tip portion configured for covering a distal end of the probe;

a base portion configured for retaining the probe cover at a proximal end of the probe; and

a body portion disposed between the tip portion and the base portion, wherein;

the tip portion, the body portion and the base portion are sequentially disposed in a direction along the longitudinal axis,

the base portion includes one or more matching features configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the housing for seating the probe cover on the probe, the one or more matching features comprising relieved portions including one or more openings extending through the base portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

6. The thermometer of claim 5, wherein:

the base portion includes a brim extending laterally away from the longitudinal axis, the one or more matching features disposed in the brim.

7. The thermometer of claim 5, wherein:

the base portion further includes at least one protrusion extending laterally away from the longitudinal axis for engaging a locating element of the probe to locate the cover at a seating position on the probe.