Surgery – Specula – Laryngoscope
Patent
1994-09-30
1997-03-11
Apley, Richard J.
Surgery
Specula
Laryngoscope
600203, 600186, 374158, A61B 126
Patent
active
056095643
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a cover fitted over a sensor probe, particularly a disposable sanitary (for the purpose of preventing infection) cover, a method of manufacturing the cover and a case or stand suitable for use in order to accommodate the cover or for when the cover is attached to the probe. In particular this cover is suitable for a cover fitted over a probe of an infrared thermometer.
BACKGROUND ART
An infrared thermometer is equipped with a probe protruding outwardly from pare of a case body. The distal end of the probe is open and is provided internally with a radiant-energy temperature sensor (a thermopile, for example). When the tip of the probe is inserted slightly into the ear canal, heat rays (infrared rays) emitted from the external ear impinge upon the radiant-energy temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is connected to a temperature measurement circuit provided in the case body. The measurement circuit determines body temperature based upon the output of the temperature sensor. Thus, the infrared thermometer is capable of measuring body temperature in a short period of time basically without making contact (at least the temperature sensor does not contact the human body).
In order to prevent the transmission of various diseases, a sanitary cover is fitted over the tip of the probe of the infrared thermometer at the time of temperature measurement. The sanitary cover is replaced for each individual (patient) subjected to measurement and is discarded after use.
Typical examples of such a cover fitted over the probe of a speculum which includes an infrared thermometer are described in U. S. Pat. No. 4,662,360 and EP-A-419,100.
A sanitary cover described in the former comprises a tubular body and a membrane, which is transparent to infrared radiation, covering an opening at the tip of the tubular body. The tubular body is fabricated by injection molding and the membrane is attached thereto by thermal welding.
The probe cover described in the latter comprises a sheath fitted on a probe and having a closed distal end face serving as a window, and a ring attached to a base end of the sheath by ultrasonic welding and engaged with the probe. The sheath is produced using a forming punch.
Since both covers comprise two individually fabricated parts that are combined, the separate parts are costly and considerable labor is involved in manufacture. An additional problem is low productivity since batch treatment is unavoidable, thus making it impossible to work the covers continuously.
The simplest structure is one in which two small holes are formed in the end or edge of a rectangular or circular film (sheet). The film is used to cover the tip of the probe and is secured by engaging the holes with projection provided on the base end of the probe.
Since this probe cover is such that the holes are merely formed in the film, problems arise in that it is difficult to attach the cover to the probe. Moreover, the film tends to shift from the attached position. If the film shifts or becomes detached, its infection preventing function is lost.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a sensor probe cover capable of being produced inexpensively at a high productivity.
The present invention further provides a sensor probe cover which has a simple structure, is easy to fit over a probe and will not readily become detached.
The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing the above-described sensor probe cover.
The present invention further provides a jig which is ideal when the above-described sensor probe cover is fitted over the probe.
A sensor probe cover according to the present invention comprises a first film formed to have a first hole at a central portion thereof, a fitting ring fixed to a periphery of the first hole of the first film and having a second hole suitable for being fitted on a sensor probe to which the cover is to be attached, and a second film overlapping one side of the first film and bonded to the first film at a plurality of
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European Search Report dated Jul. 27, 1995 for the corresponding EPC Patent Application No. EP 93 90 6860.
Makita Shigeru
Nakamura Yasushi
Ota Hiroyuki
Sano Yoshihiko
Apley Richard J.
Flanagan Beverly M.
Omron Corporation
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