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.

Claims

1. A method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising: as soon as possible after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch and a mouth portion for inserting the probe into the pouch, the mouth portion comprising a deformably rigid portion, and deforming the deformably rigid portion of the mouth portion to create a seal between the mouth portion and a proximal end of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe enters the pouch; wherein a disinfected portion of the decontaminated ultrasonic probe resides outside the cover when sealed; and 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 the mouth portion.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the deformably rigid portion of the mouth portion comprises a deformably rigid strip adjacent and disposed along the second short side.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the metallic or wire strip is glued or fused to the second short side of one elongate sheet.

5. A method according to claim 1 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.

6. A method of disinfecting an ultrasonic probe and preventing contamination of the decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising: disinfecting the ultrasonic probe; as soon as possible after disinfection, inserting the ultrasonic probe into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch and a mouth portion for inserting the probe into the pouch, the mouth portion comprising a deformably rigid portion; and deforming the deformably rigid portion of the mouth portion to create a seal between the mouth portion and a proximal end of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe enters the pouch; wherein a disinfected portion of the decontaminated ultrasonic probe resides outside the cover when sealed; and 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 the mouth portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A preferred embodiment(s) of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings(s) in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows the pouch of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows the pouch of the present invention in relation to an ultrasound probe.

(4) FIG. 3 presents panels 1-6, which show the steps involved in using the pouch of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 shows the disinfection process involving the pouch, including optional steps of affixing indicia.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(6) The present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples which should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive.

(7) As shown in FIG. 1, the cover of the present invention comprises a flexible elongate pouch 1 and a mouth portion 2 for inserting the probe into to pouch.

(8) The pouch portion is, in effect, a plastic bag, sized to hold most intracavity and surface probes, and is impermeable to microorganisms. Any suitable plastic of any gauge can be used provided that it is sufficiently robust to withstand normal use. The pouch is designed to be disposable. In order to accommodate most probes, the pouch is typically 36 cm long and 11 cm wide. The bag may be formed from a single piece of plastic or from two sheets fused around the long sides and side opposite the mouth.

(9) The plastic bag does not need to be sterile, but it does need to be manufactured to high standards, using high grade materials under stringent standards, for instance an ISO certified clean room.

(10) As shown in FIG. 2, the mouth portion has a deformably rigid portion 3 to enable the mouth to be closed around the proximal end 11 of the probe 12. This typically is in the form of a metal strip or wire running across the mouth of the pouch. The metal strip or wire may be fused into the plastic or glued to the mouth of the pouch, either on the outside or more preferably inside the pouch.

(11) As shown in FIG. 3, particularly panel 4, in use, the probe 12 is inserted into the pouch 1 to approximately the full pouch depth. This takes place as soon as possible after removal of the probe from the decontamination device. When fully inserted, the mouth is then wrapped around the proximal end 11 of the probe, using the deformation of the strip or wire 3 by the user to maintain a sealing arrangement of the bag mouth around the proximal end of the probe. The cable attached to the probe projects from the pouch.

(12) In alternative embodiments, the sealing means is a self adhesive strip. This may be for instance an adhesive strip affixed to the inside of one side of the mouth portion. Preferably, the adhesive strip is covered by a mask which is removed prior to the adhesive portion being used to maintain the sides of the cover in a sealed arrangement around the proximal end of the probe.

(13) In a further alternative embodiment, the sealing means is an integrated elastic strip extending around part or all of the mouth of the pouch. The mouth is expanded as the probe is inserted and allowed to tighten around a proximal end of the probe.

(14) In yet a further embodiment, the sealing means is a Velcro™ strip. The strip can be inside the mouth of the pouch, with a hooked face on one side of the mouth, and an eyelet face on an opposite side. Alternatively, the strip can be on the outside of the pouch, and drawn around the enclosed probe and fastened from the outside.

(15) The sealing means may also be for instance a drawstring running in one or more loops around the mouth of the pouch.

(16) It is important to ensure that the entire portion of the probe within the pouch has been disinfected. A disinfected portion 13 of the probe 12 should project from the mouth of the bag 2, immediately adjacent to it. If an undisinfected portion 14 of the probe is sealed within the pouch 1, the process will be self-defeating.

(17) The probe thus stored in the pouch can be stored in any location without fear of reinfection and particularly without fear of reinfection from the cable.

(18) When it is desired to use the probe, it can be taken to the point of use, unwrapped and immediately put to use. The cover is then discarded. The presence of the cover is an indicator that a probe is clean and it can increase patient confidence.

(19) The use of such a bag also has additional advantages in enhancing the traceability of each HLD cycle, as shown in FIG. 4. Traceability means that any defective apparatus or processes can readily be detected.

(20) Once a decontamination cycle has been completed, the article can be placed into the bag as described and the bag and a tag or sticker 20 can be applied bearing the identifying details of the decontamination cycle. In many cases, modern decontamination apparatus can provide a print out of the sterilization details, uniquely identifying the steriliser and the parameters used.

(21) The probe, when ready for use, is then unwrapped. At that stage, the details of the sterilization cycle can be taken from the bag (in physical form, such as peel off sticker, or manually transcribed or digitally acquired) and entered into the patients record.

(22) The cover thus provides a means to link the details of the sterilisation cycle with the individual patient. The present invention allows this to be done much more readily than conventional methodology.