Disposable cap for an eye imaging apparatus and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a disposable cap for an eye imaging apparatus with an optical window and related methods. The disposable cap can comprise an optically transparent window cover, a ridge, a side wall and a locking element. The window cover can comprise a convex back surface to match a concave shape of the optical window. The ridge of the disposable cap can extend distally and radially outward from the window cover and the side wall can extend proximally and radially outwardly from the ridge. The locking element can comprise one or more radially inward projections and one or more radially outward releasing tabs. A disposable packaging shell of the disposable cap also disclosed. Disclosed herein is also a plug-in disposable system comprising the disposable cap and the disposable packaging shell, configured to enable the disposable cap to be attached to and detached from the eye imaging apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable packaging shell of a disposable cap for an eye imaging apparatus with an optical window, the disposable cap comprising a window cover with a concave front surface and one or more radially outward releasing tabs, the disposable packaging shell comprising:
 a sealing lid at a top end, the sealing lid adapted to completely seal the disposable cap from environment before use;   a head extending radially outward at a bottom end; and   one or more radially inward shell tabs disposed at the top end and open spaces therebetween, the one or more radially inward shell tabs adapted to mate with the one or more radially outward releasing tabs to enable the disposable cap to be attached to and detached from the eye imaging apparatus and to be inserted into and removed from the disposable packaging shell.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable packaging shell in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radially inward shell tabs have an L-shape comprising a long portion and a short stopper, the long portion perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging apparatus, the short stopper parallel to the optical axis. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable packaging shell in  claim 1 , wherein the head comprises an indentation at a center portion, the indentation comprising a convex inside surface adapted to match the concave front surface of the window cover of the disposable cap. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable packaging shell in  claim 1 , further comprising a waist having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the head, configured to be held by a user for attaching the disposable cap to and detaching the disposable cap from the eye imaging apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable packaging shell in  claim 1 , further comprising an identifying element containing unique identification information. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable packaging shell in  claim 1 , wherein the disposable cap is rotational movable with respect to the disposable packaging shell between an open position and a storage position, wherein the one or more radially outward releasing tabs are disposed underneath open spaces in the open position and underneath the one or more radially inward shell tabs in the storage position.