Ultrasound probe sheathing system and method
The ultrasound probe cover system comprises a cradle arm supporting an ultrasound probe in a predetermined position, a first applicator arm articulating relative to the cradle arm and housing a sterilizer applicator and a gel applicator for applying a sterilizing agent and a gel to the probe head, and a sheath arm with a sheath holder supporting an open sheath. The sheath arm articulates relative to the cradle arm to position the sheath opening over the probe head. The sheath includes a biasing member extending helically and configured to bias the sheath to an extended configuration to facilitate placing the sheath over the probe. The cover system provides a convenient and efficient solution for covering and preparing ultrasound probes for medical procedures, enhancing hygiene and usability in healthcare settings.
1 . An ultrasound probe cover system, comprising:
a cradle arm including a cradle and configured to support an ultrasound probe having a probe head and oriented at a predetermined position;
a first applicator arm configured to articulate relative to the cradle arm and including a sterilizer applicator, the sterilizer applicator configured to apply a sterilizing agent to the probe head when the ultrasound probe is engaged with the cradle;
a second applicator arm including a gel applicator and configured to articulate relative to the cradle arm independently of the first applicator arm to apply a gel to the probe head when the ultrasound probe is engaged with the cradle, wherein one or both of the first applicator arm and the second applicator arm including a shield coupled thereto and configured to enclose one or more of the sterilizer applicator, the gel applicator, and the probe head when the ultrasound probe is engaged with the cradle; and
a sheath arm having a sheath holder configured to support an opening of a sheath in open configuration, the sheath arm configured to articulate relative to the cradle arm to place the opening of the sheath over the probe head.
2 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 1 , wherein the cradle engages the ultrasound probe in one of an interference fit, a friction fit, or a snap fit engagement to secure the ultrasound probe in the predetermined position.
3 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 1 , wherein the sterilizing agent includes one or more of a UV sterilization, a liquid sterilizing agent, a vapor sterilizing agent, a gaseous sterilizing agent, a detergent sterilizing agent, and an ethylene oxide gas sterilizing agent, and wherein the gel includes an acoustically conductive gel configured to improve acoustic transmission between the probe head and a skin surface of a patient.
4 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 1 , wherein the sheath has a body extending between tip and a base and defines a cavity, the base including the opening communicating with the cavity, the sheath further includes a biasing member extending helically through a wall of the body and biasing the body of the sheath to a circular cross-sectional shape.
5 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 4 , wherein an inner diameter of the opening and the cavity, when biased to the circular cross-sectional shape is greater than an outer lateral distance of the ultrasound probe.
6 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 4 , wherein the biasing member biases the body of the sheath to an extended configuration and is elastically deformable to a collapsed configuration, the tip and the base are disposed further away from each other in the extended configuration relative to the collapsed configuration.
7 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 6 , wherein the sheath further includes a strap configured to retain the body of the sheath and the biasing member in the collapsed configuration.
8 . The ultrasound probe cover system according to claim 7 , wherein the sheath holder is configured to detach the strap as the sheath arm is retracted from the cradle.
9 . A method of placing a sheath over an ultrasound probe, comprising:
engaging the ultrasound probe with a cradle supported by a cradle arm, the ultrasound probe having a probe head, the cradle supporting the probe head at a predetermined position;
actuating a first applicator arm to articulate relative to the cradle arm to place a sterilizer applicator adjacent the probe head;
actuating a second applicator arm to articulate relative to the cradle arm independently of the first applicator arm, to place a gel applicator adjacent the probe head, wherein one or both of the first applicator arm and the second applicator arm includes a shield coupled thereto and encloses one or more of the sterilizer applicator, the gel applicator, and the probe head when the ultrasound probe is engaged with the cradle; and
actuating a sheath arm, having a sheath holder supporting the sheath, to articulate relative to the cradle arm to place the sheath over the probe head.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein engaging the ultrasound probe with the cradle further includes one of an interference fit, a friction fit, or a snap fit engagement to secure the ultrasound probe in the predetermined position.
11 . The method according to claim 9 , further including the sterilizer applicator applying a sterilizing agent and the gel applicator applying a gel to one of the probe head or an outer surface of the sheath when the ultrasound probe is engaged with the cradle.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the sterilizing agent includes one or more of a UV sterilization, a liquid sterilizing agent, a vapor sterilizing agent, a gaseous sterilizing agent, and an ethylene oxide gas sterilizing agent, and wherein the gel includes an acoustically conductive gel configured to improve acoustic transmission between the probe head and a skin surface of a patient.
13 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the sheath has a body extending between tip and a base and defines a cavity, the base including an opening communicating with the cavity, the sheath further includes a biasing member extending helically through a wall of the body and biasing the body of the sheath to a circular cross-sectional shape.
14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein an inner diameter of the opening and the cavity, when biased to the circular cross-sectional shape is greater than an outer lateral distance of the ultrasound probe.
15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the biasing member biases the body of the sheath to an extended configuration and is elastically deformable to a collapsed configuration, the tip and the base are disposed further away from each other in the extended configuration relative to the collapsed configuration.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , further including disengaging a strap configured to retain the body of the sheath and the biasing member in the collapsed configuration, by the sheath holder as the sheath arm retracts from the cradle arm.