Sterile covers for ultrasound transducer

Abstract

A protective sheath assembly for covering an ultrasound transducer includes a sheath that includes a tubular portion formed of a first flexible material and having a first end and a second end and a planar portion secured to the first end of the tubular portion to close the first end of the tubular portion. The planar portion is formed of a second flexible material that is different from the first flexible material. The second flexible material comprises a substrate layer and an adhesive and/or hydrophilic coating layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate material, such that upon insertion of the ultrasound transducer into the tubular portion, an operating end of the ultrasound transducer engages the adhesive and/or hydrophilic coating layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective sheath assembly for covering an ultrasound transducer, comprising:
 a sheath comprising:
 a tubular portion formed of a first flexible material and having a first end and a second end; and 
 a planar portion secured to the first end of the tubular portion to close the first end of the tubular portion, 
 wherein the planar portion is formed of a second flexible material that is different from the first flexible material, 
 wherein the second flexible material comprises:
 a substrate layer; and 
 an adhesive layer formed on an inside surface of the substrate material, such that upon insertion of the ultrasound transducer into the tubular portion, an operating end of the ultrasound transducer engages the adhesive layer. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate layer comprises a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         3 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the polyurethane layer has a thickness ranging from approximately 1.0 to 0.025 millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a silicone gel adhesive coating. 
     
     
         5 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the silicone gel adhesive coating has a thickness ranging from approximately 0.2 to 0.025 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a release layer provided over the adhesive layer,   wherein the release layer is to be removed prior to insertion of the ultrasound transducer.   
     
     
         7 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the planar portion further comprises a hydrophilic layer formed on an outside of the substrate layer. 
     
     
         8 . The sheath assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ring-shaped applicator, and   at least one elastic band,   wherein said ring-shaped applicator is fixedly secured to the second end of the tubular portion, and includes a substantially oval or cylindrical configuration,   wherein the tubular portion of the sheath is folded over the ring-shaped applicator into a collapsed configuration such that the planar portion is substantially flush with a bottom of the ring-shaped applicator, and   wherein, the at least one elastic band is positioned over the sheath and the ring-shaped applicator such that upon deployment, the at least one elastic band is transitioned from the ring-shaped applicator to the ultrasound transducer as the sheath is unfolded from the ring-shaped applicator.   
     
     
         9 . The sheath assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said ring-shaped applicator further comprises a circumferential lip to aid in deployment of the sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The sheath assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pouch having a first open end and a second open end,   wherein the first open end is secured to the second end of the tubular portion, and   wherein the pouch is configured to retain the sheath in a folded configuration prior to deployment and to provide a grasping surface for deploying the sheath along the ultrasound transducer.   
     
     
         11 . The sheath assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible band,   wherein, during assembly, the tubular portion is rolled about the flexible band into a collapsed configuration, and   wherein, during deployment, the tubular portion is unrolled from the flexible band.   
     
     
         12 . The sheath assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular portion is folded concentrically about itself prior to being rolled about the flexible band, such that the adhesive layer is located on a top surface with respect to a user when in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The sheath assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a pull tab secured to the second end of the tubular portion.   
     
     
         14 . A protective sheath assembly for covering an ultrasound transducer, comprising:
 a sheath comprising:
 a tubular portion formed of a first flexible material and having a first end and a second end; and 
 a planar portion secured to the first end of the tubular portion to close the first end of the tubular portion, 
 wherein the planar portion is formed of a second flexible material that is different from the first flexible material, 
 wherein the second flexible material comprises:
 a substrate layer; and 
 at least one hydrophilic coating layer formed on a surface of the substrate material. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one hydrophilic coating layer comprises a first hydrophilic coating layer formed on an outside surface of the substrate layer. 
     
     
         16 . The protective sheath assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one hydrophilic coating layer comprises:
 a first hydrophilic coating layer formed on an outside surface of the substrate layer; and   a second hydrophilic coating layer formed on an inside surface of the substrate layer.   
     
     
         17 . The protective sheath of  claim 14 , wherein the substrate layer comprises a polyurethane material having a thickness ranging from approximately 1.0 to 0.025 millimeters. 
     
     
         18 . The sheath assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a ring-shaped applicator, and   at least one elastic band,   wherein said ring-shaped applicator is fixedly secured to the second end of the tubular portion, and includes a substantially oval or cylindrical configuration,   wherein the tubular portion of the sheath is folded over the ring-shaped applicator into a collapsed configuration such that the planar portion is substantially flush with a bottom of the ring-shaped applicator, and   wherein, the at least one elastic band is positioned over the sheath and the ring-shaped applicator such that upon deployment, the at least one elastic band is transitioned from the ring-shaped applicator to the ultrasound transducer as the sheath is unfolded from the ring-shaped applicator.   
     
     
         19 . The sheath assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said ring-shaped applicator further comprises a circumferential lip to aid in deployment of the sheath. 
     
     
         20 . The sheath assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a pouch having a first open end and a second open end,   wherein the first open end is secured to the second end of the tubular portion, and   wherein the pouch is configured to retain the sheath in a folded configuration prior to deployment and to provide a grasping surface for deploying the sheath along the ultrasound transducer.