IDENTIFICATION OF PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR MEDICAL IMAGING DEVICES

摘要

A protective cover (34) for medical imaging devices of the type having a probe (12) with an optical system (14) at a distal end, includes a sheath (35) of plastic material formed to enclose at least a portion of the probe, and a transparent head (37) secured to the sheath at a distal end of the cover. The transparent head provides a transparent window at the distal end of the probe to allow light to enter the probe, and be imaged in a normal manner. Indicia (42) are formed on the transparent head, and are imaged by the medical imaging device. The image is then analyzed to determine if the indicia as shown in the image correspond to a preselected pattern, which may be one of a group of patterns which provide indications concerning the nature of the cover. If a pattern is recognized, the information corresponding to that pattern can be provided to an operator; and if no pattern is recognized or if the pattern corresponds to an improper cover for the particular imaging device, a warning can be provided to the operator or the device disabled. The protective cover can be disposed after use with a patient, and a new cover applied to enclose the portions of the probe that will contact another patient, thereby minimizing potential spread of infection.