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:
Apr. 12, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2001
Charlotte F. Kinnison, San Diego, CA (US);
John F. Hayfield, San Diego, CA (US);
Charlotte F. Kinnison, San Diego, CA (US);
John F. Hayfield, San Diego, CA (US);
AMS Research Corporation, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for applying a thermal conductive medium (TCM) to the inside of a disposable sheath. A uniform amount of TCM is applied in an automated manner to the conductive portion of a disposable sheath to increase conductivity. Application is by way of a rotating tip having a plurality of nozzles through which TCM is pumped under control of a timing circuit. The duration of TCM application and the rotation of the tip is carefully controlled to insure uniform application of a precise amount of TCM. TCM application is avoided at portions of the sheath where thermal conductivity is not desired and at the tip of the sheath which will be coated by TCM as a result of probe insertion into the sheath. By automating the TCM application process, TCM can be applied in precise amounts and in a uniform manner without accidentally coating areas of the sheath where TCM is not desired. In addition the process can be conducted in far less time than is required to manually apply TCM.