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:
Sep. 16, 2003
Filed:
May. 17, 2001
James Walls, Sharon, MA (US);
Loren Lantz, St. Charles, MO (US);
Michael Kerwin, St. Louis, MO (US);
Sherwood Services AG, Schaffhausen, CH;
Abstract
A disposable, molded probe cover for use with an electronic thermometer is disclosed. The probe cover comprises an elongated hollow body made of a plastic material which defines a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the body has a convex-shaped surface that defines a lubrication well adapted to hold a lubricant therein, while the proximal end forms an opening. The opening communicates with a chamber that extends the entire length of the body and is sized and shaped to receive a probe of the electronic thermometer. To vent air trapped in the chamber during insertion of the probe into the probe cover, the chamber is provided with an axial ridge defined along a portion of the chamber for allowing air trapped at the distal end of the chamber to escape the probe cover through the electronic thermometer. A plurality of detents are also provided along the chamber proximate the opening for securely engaging the probe and establishing a fluid tight seal between the probe cover and the thermometer. When the probe cover is inserted into a patient body cavity, the lubricant spreads outwardly from the lubrication well and spreads over the exterior surface of the probe cover.