The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 02, 2001
Robert A. Rabiner, North Reading, MA (US);
Bradley A. Hare, Chelmsford, MA (US);
James H. Loper, Wales, MA (US);
OmniSonics Medical Technologies, Inc., Wilmington, MA (US);
Abstract
The invention is directed to a container for storage, dispensation, transport and disposal of a medical device such a disposable ultrasonic surgical probe, that allows its dispensation for use, and for its safe storage and disposal after use, thereby protecting the user from the hazards of needle pricks and possible contamination from small-diameter probes. The container of the present invention also provides a mechanism for restricting access to the probe to prevent its reuse, and a method for its safe attachment to and detachment from an ultrasonic medical device. The container comprises a cylindrical tube having two ends and an inner surface defining a space for containing the probe. The probe is held within the cylindrical section of the container by a locking means that allows a single dispensation for its use and enables its disposal after use in an inaccessible manner, so as to enable its attachment and detachment to the non-disposable segment of the device such as an ultrasonic probe handle without requiring direct handling by the user. The user, is therefore protected from against accidental sticks from a possibly contaminated probe. The container also prevents re-use of the probe, and provides a means for its safe disposal.