NZ741268B2 - Probe cover - Google Patents

Abstract

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). 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).

Description

A method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, ing 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 g engagement with a proximal end (11) of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe (12) enters the pouch (1).

NZ 741268 89936NZP00 MARKED UP Probe Cover Field of the Invention The present invention s to covers for use in protecting disinfected or decontaminated l instrumentation from recontamination prior to use.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with cabled probes such as intracavity and e ultrasound probes ("ultrasound probes") or Gamma probes, following disinfection, preferably high level disinfection ("HLD") and is described with reference to such a purpose, however, it will be appreciated that it is not limited solely to that use.

Background of the Invention Ultrasound probes are used for a variety of intra cavity procedures including intra rectal, intra vaginal and oesophageal examination. Whilst the probes do not need to be completely sterile in most cases, they do need to be ted to disinfection, usually at least HLD between each use to prevent cross-infection. HLD requires a 6 log reduction in microorganism load.

Ultrasound probes are usually temperature sensitive and cannot be heated above 55-60°C. They can be disinfected by a variety of procedures, such the present Applicant’s own aerosol s, as described in earlier publications Typically, after an ultrasound probe has been subjected to HLD, it is stored for some time. The storage environment need not be sterile; however, ideally the probe is ined in a clean or protected environment to prevent excessive contamination.

The ection of ultrasound probes presents special challenges, e the probe is typically constructed integrally with the power and data cable used to link the probe with the console. While the probe itself is always disinfected to some degree, most usually to achieve HLD, the cable ting from the proximal end of the probe is not. As a precaution, the probe is disinfected to a point well beyond the deepest point of insertion of the probe into the patient. However, there is a point on the cable not far from the probe beyond which no disinfection is d. 510291448_1\ 89936NZP00 MARKED UP The presence of a potentially contaminated cable attached to a disinfected probe can present problems with storage of the probe between disinfection and patient In some cases, ultrasound probes are stored on racks adjacent to the ultrasound apparatus ready for use. The racks in the disinfected, distal end of the probe upwards, with the un-disinfected cable hanging down. While this arrangement provides reasonable separation between the ected probe and undisinfected cable, the probe is nevertheless open to the here and has the potential to become recontaminated from either the environment or handling.

Disinfected probes are sometimes placed into rds or drawers. These can provide a vely clean environment, but there is the possibility in such cases that the undisinfected cable can come into contact with the disinfected portion when being placed into a cupboard or drawer, or space that is otherwise not clean. Further, if an un-disinfected probe is accidentally placed in the cupboard or drawer, significant remedial action for the rd or drawer and the probes contained therein would be required.

There is a need therefore to store disinfected probes prior to use in such a way that they are protected from the wider environment generally, and the undisinfected cable projecting from their distal end in particular.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. y of the Invention Described herein is a cover for a probe, the cover comprising a flexible te pouch and a mouth portion for inserting the probe into the pouch, the mouth portion comprising sealing means to enable the mouth n to be formed into sealing engagement with a proximal end of the probe.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". 510291448_1\ MARKED UP The term "seal" means that the cover is engaged with the proximal end of the probe to retain the probe in the cover. The seal may be airtight but that is not necessarily the case.

The probe to be covered may for instance be an ultrasonic probe, such as an intracavity or surface ultrasound probe or other type of diagnostic ultrasound (DU) probe, or it may be a Gamma probe.

Preferably, the pouch is formed from an impermeable plastic material. The pouch may be 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 te side and on a first short side, the second short side defining a mouth portion.

The sealing means may be a deformably rigid n. In that case, the mouth portion comprises a deformably rigid strip nt and disposed along the second short side. The deformably rigid strip may be a metallic or wire strip.

Preferably, it is glued or fused to one elongate sheet.

Alternatively, the sealing means for the mouth portion may and a self adhesive strip, and ated elastic strip or a VelcroTM strip (hook and eyelet fastener) or similar.

Any suitable means for sealing the pouch around the proximal end of the probe would be suitable.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method of ting a disinfected probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately after disinfection, inserting the probe into a cover comprising a flexible elongate pouch and a mouth portion for inserting the probe into the pouch, the mouth portion comprising sealing means, and deforming the mouth portion into a sealing ment with a proximal end of the probe, wherein no undisinfected portion of the probe enters the pouch.

The cover is preferably as bed above.

Preferably at least a portion of the disinfected probe resides outside the bag when sealed. 510291448_1\ 89936NZP00 MARKED UP In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of the second aspect 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.

The pouch of the present invention is suitable for use for probes that have been ected to any level, i.e. low level disinfection, medium level disinfection, and high level disinfection.

Brief Description of the Drawings 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: Figure 1 shows the pouch of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the pouch of the present invention in on to an ound probe.

Figures 3.1 to 3.5 show the steps involved in using the pouch of the t invention.

Figure 4 shows the disinfection process involving the pouch, including optional steps of affixing indicia.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The present invention will now be bed with reference to the following examples which should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive.

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

The pouch portion is, in effect, a plastic bag, sized to hold most intracavity and surface probes, and is impermeable to microorganisms. Any suitable c 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 510291448_1\ 89936NZP00 MARKED UP 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.

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

As shown in figure 2, the mouth portion has a ably rigid portion 3 to enable the mouth to be closed around the al 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.

As shown in figure 3, ularly 3.4, 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 in a sealing arrangement of the bag mouth around the proximal end of the probe. The cable attached to the probe projects from the pouch.

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 ve portion being used to maintain the sides of the cover in a sealed arrangement around the proximal end of the probe.

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 d to tighten around a proximal end of the probe.

In yet a further embodiment, the g means is a VelcroTM strip (hook and eyelet fastener). The strip can be inside the mo uth 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. 510291448_1\ 89936NZP00 MARKED UP The sealing means may also be for ce a drawstring running in one or more loops around the mouth of the pouch.

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.

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.

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

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

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 d bearing the identifying details of the decontamination cycle. In many cases, modern decontamination apparatus can provide a print out of the ization details, uniquely identifying the iser and the parameters used.

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.

The cover thus provides a means to link the s of the sterilisation cycle with the individual patient. The present invention allows this to be done much more readily than conventional methodology. 510291448_1\ 89936NZP00 MARKED UP

Claims (10)

1. A method of preventing a decontaminated ultrasonic probe from contamination comprising the step of, immediately 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 sealing means, and deforming the mouth n into a sealing engagement with a proximal end of the probe, n no nfected portion of the probe enters the pouch.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the decontaminated ultrasonic probe resides outside the cover when sealed.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pouch is formed from two opposed te sheets of plastic, each sheet having two parallel te 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 a mouth portion.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sealing means is a deformably rigid portion.

5. A method according to any one of claims 3 to 4 wherein the mouth portion comprises a deformably rigid strip adjacent and ed along the second short side.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip.

7. A method ing to claim 6 wherein the deformably rigid strip is a metallic or wire strip glued or fused to one elongate sheet.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sealing means is a self adhesive strip.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sealing means is an integrated elastic strip.

10. A method ing to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sealing means is a hook and eyelet fastener. 510291448_1