Probe cover with matching feature for a medical thermometer

• US 9,285,276 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• 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:
  US13/747,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20130128926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 374/209, 374/158
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 that extends from a housing of a thermometer, the housing of the thermometer having one or more projections, the probe cover comprising:

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

a base portion configured for retaining the cover at a proximal end of the probe, the base portion including a brim with one or more matching features, the matching features comprising a reflective layer disposed around the brim; 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 further includes one or more recesses extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and corresponding to the one or more projections, which are disposed on the housing of the thermometer.

2. The probe cover of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer comprises a metal foil.

3. 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,

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 along the longitudinal direction, and

a brim, the brim including a reflective layer;

the thermometer further comprises;

a light emitter and a light detector, the light emitter is operative to emit light energy toward the reflective layer and the light detector is operable to detect light energy reflected by the reflective layer, and wherein the emitted light energy and the reflected light energy are transmitted in a substantially unobstructed manner between the reflective layer and one or more of the light emitter and the light detector; and

matching features, the matching features comprising one or more recesses in the base portion of the probe cover, the one or more recesses extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and one or more projections disposed on the housing, the one or more projections corresponding to the one or more recesses and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

4. The thermometer of claim 3, wherein:

the thermometer further comprises a detection circuit for determining whether the detected light energy meets a predetermined criteria.