Probe cover

Abstract

A cover for a probe 12 , such as an ultrasonic probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into the pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe. Also, a method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe 12 into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe 12 into to pouch, the mouth portion 2 comprising a deformably rigid portion 3 , and deforming the mouth portion 2 into a sealing engagement with a proximal end 11 of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe 12 enters the pouch 1.

1 . A cover for a probe, the cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch and a mouth portion for inserting the probe into the pouch, the mouth portion comprising sealing means to enable the mouth portion to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end of the probe. 
     
     
         2 . A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the pouch is formed from an impermeable plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the pouch is formed from two opposed elongate sheets of plastic, each sheet having two parallel elongate sides and two parallel short sides, the sheets being fused on each elongate side and on a first short side, the second short side defining a mouth portion. 
     
     
         4 . A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing means is a deformably rigid portion. 
     
     
         5 . A cover according to  claim 4  wherein the mouth portion comprises a deformably rigid strip adjacent and disposed along the second short side. 
     
     
         6 . A cover according to  claim 5  wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip. 
     
     
         7 . A cover according to  claim 6  wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip glued or fused to one elongate sheet. 
     
     
         8 . A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing means is a self adhesive strip. 
     
     
         9 . A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing means is an integrated elastic strip. 
     
     
         10 . A cover according to  claim 1  wherein the sealing means is a Velcro™ strip. 
     
     
         11 . A method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch and a mouth portion for inserting the probe into to pouch, the mouth portion comprising a deformably rigid portion, and deforming the mouth portion into a sealing engagement with a proximal end of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe enters the pouch. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein at least a portion of the decontaminated ultrasonic probe resides outside the bag when sealed. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the pouch is formed from two opposed elongate sheets of plastic, each sheet having two parallel elongate sides and two parallel short sides, the sheets being fused on each elongate side and on a first short side, the second short side defining a mouth portion. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the sealing means is a deformably rigid portion. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the mouth portion comprises a deformably rigid strip adjacent and disposed along the second short side. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip glued or fused to one elongate sheet. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the sealing means is a self adhesive strip. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the sealing means is an integrated elastic strip. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the sealing means is a Velcro™ strip. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 11  further comprising the steps of applying to the pouch, when sealed, indicia identifying a unique sterilization cycle, and documenting said indicia against a record of a patient probed with said probe.