Protective cover set for a medical probe

Abstract

Methods of installing a protective cover set for a medical probe are described herein, which may include an elongate protective cover having two or more fastening elements, with at least one fastening element at a point along the length of the protective cover. Embodiments may be configured to fit within a removable outer wrapper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using a protective cover set for a medical probe, comprising:
 inserting a medical probe into an open end of a probe cover contained within a removable outer wrapper;   after inserting the medical probe, exposing an intermediate fastening element connected with the probe cover at a midpoint of the probe cover by at least partly removing the removable outer wrapper; and   securing the probe cover to the medical probe by the intermediate fastening element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the probe cover to the medical probe comprises removing a backing strip from an adhesive portion of the intermediate fastening element, wrapping the intermediate fastening element at least partly around the probe cover, and adhering the intermediate fastening element to itself or to the probe cover by the adhesive portion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the probe cover to the medical probe comprises crimping or folding a portion of the probe cover, and attaching the intermediate fastening element around the crimped or folded portion of the probe cover. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the probe cover to the medical probe comprises pulling a release liner attached with the intermediate fastening element from outside the removable outer wrapper such that the release liner tightens the intermediate fastening element around the probe cover. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the medical probe into the open end of the probe cover further comprises inserting the medical probe through a length of the probe cover, such that a working end of the medical probe abuts an interior surface of a closed end of the probe cover and in contact with a gel in an interior space of the closed end of the probe cover. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 securing an end fastening element around an end of the probe cover proximal to the open end, such that the open end of the probe cover is secured to the medical probe by the end fastening element.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising securing the end fastening element around the end of the probe cover before removing the removable outer wrapper from the probe cover. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 securing the end fastening element by attaching the end fastening element directly to the medical probe.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein securing the end fastening element further comprises securing the end fastening element around the open end of the probe cover and around a cord attached to the medical probe. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 securing one or more secondary intermediate fastening elements at one or more intermediate positions along a length of the probe cover between the intermediate fastening element and the end fastening element, such that the one or more intermediate positions along the length of the probe cover are secured to the medical probe by the one or more secondary intermediate fastening elements.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after securing the probe cover to the medical probe by the intermediate fastening element, removing the removable outer wrapper from the probe cover.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 before inserting the medical probe into the open end of the probe cover, partially opening the removable outer wrapper near the open end of the probe cover.