Abstract: A probe assembly for an infrared medical thermometer, which is adapted for insertion into a patient's ear canal and which facilitates a rapid measurement of the patient's body temperature with very high accuracy. The probe assembly includes a plastic outer tube sized to fit snugly in the patient's ear canal, with an elongated heat sink and an infrared sensor located within the tube. A cylindrical shield and inwardly-projecting guard ring ensure that the sensor's hot junction receives radiation only from the ear canal and that the sensor's cold junction is prevented from being heated for at least sufficient time to allow the thermometer to provide an accurate measurement of the patient's body temperature.

Abstract: A probe cover assembly for use in covering and protecting the elongated probe of a medical thermometer. The assembly has three laminated layers, including a flat base layer with an aperture sized to slide over the probe, an intermediate stretchable film, and a protective paper layer having radially-aligned perforations aligned with the base layer aperture. In use, the probe cover assembly is placed on the probe by inserting the probe through the base layer aperture, from the assembly's paper layer side, to stretch the plastic film over the probe, with the perforated paper functioning initially to separate the probe from the film and thereby prevent the film from initially sticking to the probe and stretching unevenly. The probe cover assembly is removed from the probe and discarded by sliding the apertured base layer along the probe, with the perforated paper functioning to scrape the stretched film from the probe.

Abstract: An elongated temperature sensing probe of an electronic thermometer having a movable collar and an elongated probe terminating with a probe tip including a heat sensing element. A disposable cover having an elastic cylindrical side wall mounted on a closed end member is latched to the probe to enclose the tip and surround an elongated portion of the probe. The thin thermal window merges into a closed blunt end having a thickness greater than the window. The closed end member has a thin cone-shaped thermal window which is deformed into surface engagement with the probe tip when the cover is mounted on the probe. The probe collar and open end section of the cover have coacting releasable latch structure holding the cover in assembled relation with the probe.

Abstract: An elongated temperature sensing probe of an electronic thermometer having a movable collar and an elongated probe terminating with a probe tip including a heat sensing element. A disposable cover having an elastic cylindrical side wall mounted on a closed end member is latched to the probe to enclose the tip and surround an elongated portion of the probe. The closed end member has a thin cone-shaped thermal window which is deformed into surface engagement with the probe tip when the cover is mounted on the probe. The probe collar and open end section of the cover have coacting releasable latch structure holding the cover in assembled relation with the probe.