Abstract: A device for use in placing a non-sterile sensor probe such as an ultrasound scanning transducer in a desired position within a patient. A flexible probe-receiving tube has a closed distal end so that a probe inserted within the tube through an open end located outside the patient is isolated from contact with the interior of the patient's body. The probe-receiving tube is attached to and extends alongside a chest drain tube which supports the probe-receiving tube in a location proximate an organ to be observed. An attached sterile sensor may be attached directly to an interior blood vessel, and sensors such as an ultrasonic sensor, a light emitting sensor, or a multi-function combination sensor may be used in the probe-receiving tube.

Abstract: A device for use in placing a non-sterile sensor probe (70, 154, 180, 206, 208) such as an ultrasound scanning transducer in a desired position within a patient's body (12), with a probe-receiving tube (36, 92, 143, 139, 152, 201, 203, 205) having a closed distal end (38, 95, 212, 220, 222) so that a probe inserted within the tube through an open proximal end (49, 97) located outside the patient's body is isolated from contact with or contamination of the interior of the patient's body. The probe-receiving tube is attached to and extends alongside an elongate support member (18, 82, 130, 134, 138, 142, 200, 202, 204) which aids in placement of the probe-receiving tube in a location proximate an organ to be observed by use of a sensor probe in the probe-receiving tube. The elongate support member may be a chest drain tube.

Abstract: A device for use in placing a non-sterile sensor probe such as an ultrasound scanning transducer in a desired position within a patient's body, with a probe-receiving tube having a closed distal end so that a probe inserted within the tube through an open proximal end located outside the patient's body is isolated from contact with or contamination of the interior of the patient's body. The probe-receiving tube is attached to and extends alongside an elongate support member which aids in placement of the probe-receiving tube in a location proximate an organ to be observed by use of a sensor probe in the probe-receiving tube. The elongate support tube may be a chest drain tube.