Axillary infrared thermometer and cover therefor

Abstract

An infrared detector has a probe having curved surfaces which slide readily into a neonate axilla. The probe is covered by a disposable cover, or a bag completely encloses the infrared detector. The bag has a pleated end surface, through which the detector views the skin, and a flap at a rear surface to close an opening which receives the detector.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An infrared thermometer comprising: 
 an infrared detector including an infrared sensor for viewing a target through a window in a detector housing; and    a removable bag enclosing the detector.    
     
     
         2 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the window is at the base of a reflective cup and the bag is stretched across the cup.  
     
     
         3 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the bag is rectangular and open along an edge thereof, the bag further comprising a flap at the open edge to be folded over the opening to close the bag.  
     
     
         4 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the bag has a pleat along an edge opposite to the open edge, the pleat expanding to provide depth to the bag.  
     
     
         5 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the detector housing comprises a main body to be held by hand and a sensor probe, the sensor probe having a first portion extending from an end surface of the main body and having a second portion extending from the first portion substantially parallel to the end surface.  
     
     
         6 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second portion of the probe has a frustoconical tip in which the window is positioned and a peripheral bead surrounds the probe behind the frustoconical tip to stretch the transparent bag across the end of the tip.  
     
     
         7 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising a nub extending from an end surface of the main body opposite to the sensor probe, the nub stretching and retaining the bag.  
     
     
         8 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bag is rectangular and open along an edge thereof, the bag further comprising a flap at the open edge to be folded over the opening to close the bag.  
     
     
         9 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the rectangular bag is significantly longer along its open length than it is wide.  
     
     
         10 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the bag has a pleat along an edge opposite to the open edge, the pleat expanding to provide depth to the bag.  
     
     
         11 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the bag is formed of infrared transparent plastic membrane having a thickness of less than 1.25 milli-inch.  
     
     
         12 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bag has a pleat along an edge opposite to the open edge, the pleat expanding to provide thickness to the bag.  
     
     
         13 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the pleat has a depth of greater than ½ inch.  
     
     
         14 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the transparent bag is formed of plastic membrane having a thickness of less than 1.25 milli-inch.  
     
     
         15 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the bag is formed of transparent plastic membrane.  
     
     
         16 . An infrared thermometer as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the transparent bag is formed of plastic membrane having a thickness of less than 1.25 milli-inch.  
     
     
         17 . A cover for covering an infrared thermometer comprising: 
 a rectangular bag formed of plastic membrane of thickness less than 1.25 milli-inch, the bag having a pleat along one edge thereof and an opening for receiving the infrared thermometer in a second edge opposite to the one edge, the bag having a flap at the second edge to be folded over the opening to close the bag.    
     
     
         18 . A cover as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the plastic membrane has a thickness of less than 1.0 milli-inch.  
     
     
         19 . A cover as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the pleat has a depth of greater than ½ inch.  
     
     
         20 . A cover as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the pleat has a depth of about ¾ inch.  
     
     
         21 . A cover as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the bag has a length along the pleat and opening of about 7½ inches and a width of about 4 inches.  
     
     
         22 . A cover as claimed in claim  27  wherein the length is about 7⅝ inches.  
     
     
         23 . A cover as claimed in claim  27  wherein the pleat has a depth of greater than ½ inch.  
     
     
         24 . A cover as claimed in claim  29  wherein the pleat has a depth of about ¾ inch.  
     
     
         25 . A cover as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the plastic membrane is infrared transparent.