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NajNákup Porovnanie cien
content violation
You can write your comment.
This website has a content focused on úvodná stránka, porovnanie, porovnať, cena, ceny, cenu, akcia, akciová, zľava, predaj, lacný, lacná, lacné, najlacnejší, najlacnejšia, najlacnejšie, tovar, foto, telefon, audio, mp3, cd, tv, video, počítač, notebook, software, elektro, spotrebiče, dom, záhrada, auto, pneu, šport topics. We detected general outline is
úvodná stránka. prezrite si aktuálne akcie.
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najnakup.sk's homepage html output is 42 KB. We had a close look to its HTML structure and found out homepage has 369 code lines and it contains no error. A clean HTML, which means error-free structure and higher content/code ratio is search engine friendly as it is also user friendly.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Prospects look good for sustainable ethanol industry
Tom Jackson
| April 06, 2009 |
The appointment of alternative energy insider Steven Koonin to the position of Undersecretary of of Science at the Department of Energy bodes well for the development of a viable ethanol industry. One of the more serious criticisms of the ethanol industry in the past was that it was corn-based, which greatly inflated the price of food around the world. A sustainable ethanol industry now in favor at the DOE would emphasize the use of cellulosic ethanol from waste products and non-food sources.
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Sonny Soprano Drops 'Let the Money Talk' Mixtape via Coast 2 Coast
Hip-hop artist Sonny Soprano has released the "Let the Money Talk" mixtape. The 15 track project, presented by Coast 2 Coast Mixtape Promotion, is now available for download. The mixtape features Sonny Soprano with appearances by Eno Starr, Ace Hood, A-Mafia, Blaze, Texas P, Chinx Drugs, Sport and more.
Sonny Soprano hails from Pennsylvania. As a father, rapper and businessman he is known for his hard core lyrics, powerful stories, and delivery of his music. Soprano builds his movement, with his diverse style and unique look that set him apart from his competition. He's known for rhyming over bass heavy beats, while evoking a wide range of human emotion including rage, humor, and joy. As he starts to make a name for himself within hip-hop circles, he is determined to become a household name.
Soprano is currently working on his next project with producers Young Shun of Maybach Music, Daddy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and DaMFmastermind. Keep up with all Sonny Soprano updates by following him on Twitter.
Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes are the most widely distributed mixtapes in the world, with over 100 million downloads/plays generated by over 200 Volumes officially hosted by major artists. Coast 2 Coast has a solid reach in the new music industry with a digital magazine, DJ coalition, industry tips blog, yearly convention, and more. Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes represents a unique opportunity for artists of all urban genres, from major to indie. For more information, visit http://www.coast2coastmixtapes.com.
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- CONSTELLATIONS' Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson Set for THEATER TALK This Weekend


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2:22 minutes
Killian gets confirmation that he is not really in love with Eva but rather is under a love spell, in this video extra from episode 7 of The Witches of East End.
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After battling car problems the first two weeks, Lisa DeLeeuw would run a solid feature on Saturday night and finish 11th, unofficially. Either 10th or 11th - once official results are posted by the track, we will know for sure.
DeLeeuw would finish seventh in both of her heats.
In the feature, virtue of her bad luck the first two weeks, she would start on pole. She would be passed for the lead on lap one by Steve Belanger. She would then fall back to fifth on lap five and then fall back to seventh on lap seven. She would fall to around the 10th or 11th position by the halfway mark.
That is where she would finish and like we said, once we know for sure, it will be posted on the DY Racing website.
Photos are available on the team website at http://dyracing.wordpress.com.
Special thanks to Partimer Signs, Gelderman Landscaping, Redline Racing, Can-Alignment, Millgrove Gardens, BDS Frame and Alignment, B&D Auto Recyclers, Safeway Towing, Phoenix Place, Auto Clinic, Ponderosa Nature Resort and Sunflower Studios for their continued support.
We would like to also thanks the fans for their continued support and welcome them to check out the website at http://dyracing.wordpress.com and like the DY Racing facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/dyracing).
Press Release by: Ashley McCubbin – firstname.lastname@example.com – http://www.racinginformative.com


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The Message audio Bible is now available on Bible Gateway! Click to learn more.
26:18 given birth to wind. This expression of futility is due to the failure of the godly to establish God's kingdom (49:4). They suffered, but without apparent success.
deliverance in the earth. The hope of God's people both before and after the coming of Christ was the renewal of the earth and its transformation into a kingdom of peace and righteousness (cf. 42:4; 2 Pet. 3:13; cf. note on 12:2).


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Views that capture the essence of beauty
By Territory Media
Black Hills Land For Sale - 46.88
46.88 acres and home at the top of the gold mining country in the beautiful Black Hills. The views are amazing, there are no covenants and the mineral rights come with the land. Owning this land gives you legal access to hundreds of acres that the public cannot reach for winter and summer sports-like having a forest of your own. This secluded acreage is accessible year round and will have electricity to the lot line. Great opportunity for that perfect location to have a year round or vacation home in the hills. This area is known as the top of the Rubicon. It is the start of "Bridal Vale Falls" and from the "Rubicon" canyon you can walk all the way down to it. There are gates that stop the public from these areas, but this property gives access to Carbonite, Devils Bathtub and Spearfish Canyon. This is a rare opportunity!
Black Hills Secluded Property - For Sale,
unbelievable property with 46.88 pristine acres perched on top of the Rubicon with a 3000 sq. ft. high mountain home w/Solar electric and grid electric. You will be located minutes from town and it also borders the Black Hills National Forest on this rare and exquisite wonderland with views of North Dakota and the Badlands of South Dakota. You can enjoy all of these amazing views from this spectacular property. In addition, this property has a wonderful atmosphere of clean air, water and no noice polution. You will never need to travel again. This is everything you could want, right here in "God's Country."
This property offers more to your imagination than you can possibly imagine. Several location for the perfect summer home, winter home, vacation retreat, high mountain wonderland, family home, hunting property, snowmobile paradise, ski and snowboard headquarters and so much more. This property is ready without special permits or rezoning or subdividing for 2 more homes.
This Rubicon property is in the Black Hills of South Dakota, which is the highest mountain range East of the Rockies in the Western Hemisphere. 95 % of the Black Hills is National or State Forest Service land. To truly understand the dynamics of this Black Hills secluded property it is a must see; because the Government is not deeding more land for private ownership and more land is not being made. This is truly a once in a life time opportunity.
One of the unique advantages the Black Hills have over other mountain ranges is that everything in them (including the wilderness areas) are easily accessable. The entire Black Hills measures 100 miles (North to South) and 50 miles (East to West).
To be sold on Auction
This Black Hills Secluded Property offers:
60 minutes to Rapid City
75 minutes from the Rapid City Regional Airport
15 minutes to Historic Deadwood
30 minutes to Sturgis - Home ot the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
4 minutes to Terry Peak Ski Area - Most Vertical drop of any ski area in the US, east of the Rockies
30 minutes to many mountain lakes and hundres of miles of trout streams
15 minutes from the nearest golf course and 15 more within 60 minutes
Enjoy this property and many of the features that draws millions from all over the world to the Black Hills every year.
Elevation is nearly 6500 feet above sea level.
The sun shines on it from blue skies approximately 300 days a year.
The humidity is so low mosquitoes and gnats have not been seen in years.
There are no close neighbors
The mountain air allows you to see 50 miles or more to the North
It is located at the end of the road. Traffic doesn't run by or through it.
The well water is so pure, you could bottle it and it is not treated.
A hot summer day's night temperature is normally in the 50-60 degree range.
Absent street or city lights, the night sky usually allows watching falling stars, Aurora Borealis when they occur, and satellites as they cross the sky.
Visit for more information - SecludedLandandHomeForSale.com
Please call 605-580-5496 for more information.
Scott Prentice/Owner
This Black Hills Secluded Property offers:


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While this isn't a full list of trees in the lumberjacking system by any means, I wanted to give you all some descriptive information on the Elanthia-specific ones as well as a few that exist IRL, but are either slightly different in their DR version, or are maybe a bit less commonly known to the bulk of non-forestry/lumber professionals in many countries.
Do you happen to have a voucher for a long lost merchant? Maybe you have a voucher and you don't even know what it is for! All July, GM Naohhi will be accepting emailed requests to complete these vouchers. Make sure you submit all the correct information before the event is over!
Sharpen your shapers and saws, and stock up on stacks of deeds, because crafting just expanded again! Read on to find out about lumberjacking and new crafting halls!
Gem pouches can be confusing sometimes! Is it a blue pouch or a gem pouch? Is it tied? Can I get my gems back? Read on to find out!
Ricinus has made some pretty significant updates to the way gwethdesuans and albredine rings work. These changes include adjustments to ranges and some core functionality. More detailed information can be found here.
There's a new, exceptionally dangerous hunting area available outside the West Gate of The Crossings. If you have to ask whether or not it's too dangerous for you, it probably is!
We've hinted at it a few times, but we have a major major major project that is both exciting and exhausting to work on where we are trying to revamp shops across Zoluren. Right now, all instances can now enjoy the updates to several shops for the clans around Crossing.
What characters from literature, movies, or comics would make the Ultimate Guild Member? We have a fun survey for you to take so we can find out!
Now that we've had a couple months off from our monthly contests, we thought we'd try something different. We're finding that we're rather curious what kind of window set up you all prefer to use with your clients (Avalon, StormFront, Wizard, Genie2, and Genie3.)
The dates for this year's Guild Fest have been posted! Read on for more info so you can plan ahead!
Today in Prime, many of you were led by Darkali Swiftclaws into Sunfall Hub. You were exposed to threats at nearly every turn! S'lai scouts, malodorous bucca, and copperhead vipers. Thankfully, no one died, and everyone got to see the new areas.
For those of you that missed it, but still want to check it out, don't stress! Many people are hard at work adding the information to elanthipedia already, but for now, here's a bit of information.
Racial titles are now live in all instances. The link below lists the full list of titles and their translations if they are in a racial language. Requirements will be Play And Find Out for one week, and then I will link another document to make the requirements public.
The staffs of DragonRealms and Simutronics are happy to announce an upcoming Free To Play tier! Read on for more details!
More new items have been added to the store! Check out the details here!
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A disposable probe cover for an electronic tympanic ("ear") thermometer is made of closed-cell foam that is laminated with a sheet of high density polyethylene plastic film substantially transparent to infrared radiant energy. The probe cover is hollow, defining a central passageway that accepts an oversized probe and can potentially accommodate a variety of different probe configurations. The foam construction allows the probe cover to stretch over the oversized probe--retaining the probe cover on the probe during use. The foam construction also allows the probe cover to deform when inserted into a patient's ear--sealing the patient's ear canal to prevent external heat and light from affecting the measurement, and providing a high degree of cushioning and comfort not available in any prior disposable probe cover design. The film laminate and foam provide a barrier that is impervious to germs, fluids and other secretions--further reducing the already low risk of cross-contamination. The probe cover design facilitates accurate, repeatable measurements using a temperature measuring instrument based on receiving and analyzing the radiant infrared heat energy emitted by the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
1. A disposable probe cover for a tympanic thermometer of the type having a radiant energy sensing structure for sensing at least one wavelength of radiant energy emitted by the eardrum, the probe cover having an insertion end for being inserted into an ear canal communicating with the eardrum and another end which remains outside of the ear canal so as to seal the ear canal, at least the probe cover insertion end comprising a deformable foam body defining a passage terminating in an opening, the passage accepting at least a part of the radiant energy sensing structure and communicating the radiant energy sensing structure with the opening, the probe cover further comprising a barrier that substantially occludes the passage, the barrier preventing ear canal contaminants from entering the opening while substantially allowing the radiant energy to pass therethrough and impinge upon the radiant energy sensing structure.
2. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body includes a deformable obstructing portion that, in uses, limits insertion of the body into the ear canal and substantially seals the ear canal to prevent at least one of external light, heat and air currents from entering the ear canal during a temperature measurement.
3. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body comprises black plastic foam having a high visible light absorption factor.
4. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body comprises a closed-cell foam sheet.
5. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the barrier comprises a sheet of pre-stretched high density plastic film.
6. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the barrier is pre-stretched over the opening when the sensing structure is not inserted into the passage.
7. A probe cover as in claim 6 wherein the barrier is further stretched over the opening upon inserting the sensing structure into the passage.
8. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body comprises a vacuum-formed, die-cut foam sheet.
9. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body comprises a compression molded foam sheet.
10. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body comprises a laser cut foam sheet.
11. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body allows a comfortable sealing of the ear canal.
12. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the eardrum is included within an ear which also has an auricle, and at least a part of the foam body, in use, compressibly deforms against at least a part of the auricle to at least in part seal the ear canal from at least one of external heat and light sources.
13. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body, in use, thermally insulates the sensing structure.
14. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body, in use, at least in part thermally isolates the sensing structure from the ear canal.
15. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body has a low emissivity in the wavelength bands of interest.
16. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body has a high absorption in the wavelength bands of interest.
17. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body has low reflectivity of ambient light and of the wavelength bands of interest.
18. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body has a high attenuation to ambient light.
19. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body has a low passivity to ambient light.
20. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body is substantially opaque to ambient light.
21. A probe cover as in claim 1 wherein the foam body has a hexagonally shaped base member.
22. In combination:
a tympanic thermometer probe; and
a hollow compressible foam body stretched over the probe to provide a friction fit that securely retains the foam body on the probe's outer surface, the foam body providing heat isolation for the probe and increasing comfort when, in use, the probe and foam body are together inserted into a human ear canal.
This invention relates to a probe cover for a thermometer that measures temperature by sensing the radiant energy given off by the eardrum ("tympanic membrane"). More particularly, the invention relates to a disposable foam probe cover that increases the comfort, accuracy and repeatability of an ear thermometer temperature measuring system.
Doctors, nurses, parents, and other care providers all need to be able to rapidly and accurately measure a person's body temperature. To find out whether a person is sick, the first thing a care provider usually does is take the person's temperature. Someone running a fever is likely to have an infection. A doctor or nurse can tell a lot about how a patient is doing by monitoring the patient's temperature over time and noting how it has changed.
There are three kinds of thermometers in wide use today:
glass thermometers,
"electronic" thermometers, and
ear ("tympanic") thermometers.
Glass thermometers are very inexpensive, very small and easy to store, and don't require batteries or other special supplies. For this reason, glass thermometers are probably the most widely used temperature measuring device in the home. However, glass thermometers have the disadvantage that they are very slow in making measurements--they typically require several minutes to reach body temperature. This is uncomfortable for the patient, and may be very troublesome when it is necessary to take the temperature of a small child or an invalid. In addition, glass thermometers are typically accurate only to within a degree, may be susceptible to errors in placement, and can be broken easily.
Because of these disadvantages, most hospitals and doctors' offices now use instruments commonly known as "electronic" thermometers. Most of us have had our temperature taken by an electronic thermometer at one time or another. The electronic thermometer includes a portable, hand-held battery powered unit with a display, and a separate probe. A wire usually connects the probe to the hand-held unit. The probe is long and thin, and has the same general shape as a glass thermometer. To use this kind of electronic thermometer, a nurse first covers the probe with a long thin disposable plastic probe cover that completely covers the probe. The disposable probe cover helps prevent the spread of disease by avoiding direct contact between the reusable probe and the germs in the patient's mouth. The nurse then puts the end of the probe under the patient's tongue. An electronic temperature sensor within the probe electrically senses the patient's temperature, and sends a signal to a microcomputer in the hand-held unit. The hand-held unit usually beeps when the temperature measurement is finished, and displays the patient's temperature on the display. The nurse can then remove the probe from the patient's mouth, strip the probe cover off the probe, and throw away the used disposable probe cover.
This type of electronic thermometer has achieved wide acceptance in hospitals because it is reasonably accurate, can be used with familiar placement techniques, and is (because of its disposable, replaceable probe covers) easily reusable for a number of different patients. Although the electronic hand-held unit is itself more expensive than most households are willing to pay, the overall cost of using this kind of electronic thermometer is relatively low because the disposable probe covers are inexpensive (two to three cents per cover, for example) and a single hand-held electronic unit may last for years and can be used to take the temperatures of many thousands of patients.
Electronic thermometers offer speed, ease of reading, and accuracy improvements over glass thermometers, and also eliminate the possibility of mercury poisoning. Although such electronic thermometers have achieved a fair degree of success, they have certain significant disadvantages. For example, they need to be constantly calibrated, are relatively easily broken, and often require a relatively long time (thirty seconds or more in many cases) to make an accurate measurement. There are also problems with taking a temperature from the patient's mouth due to breathing, keeping the thermometer under the patient's tongue, etc. Cross-contamination of infectious diseases is also a concern because the mouth is a "wet orifice."
More recently, a new kind of electronic thermometer has appeared on the market. This new kind of thermometer works by measuring the temperature of your eardrum. Since the eardrum is also known as the "tympanic membrane," these thermometers are sometimes called "tympanic thermometers."
Why the eardrum? The carotid artery that supplies blood to the hypothalamus--the body's temperature control center--passes through the eardrum. For this reason, the temperature of your eardrum corresponds very closely to the core temperature of your body. Although doctors and scientists have known this fact for many years, only since the mid-1980's have commercial devices been available to measure eardrum temperature in a clinical setting.
Ear or "tympanic" thermometers work by receiving and analyzing the radiant heat ("infrared") energy coming from the eardrum. Just as you can feel the heat when you hold your hands up in front of a warm fire, a tympanic thermometer can detect eardrum temperature without having to actually touch the eardrum by receiving the radiant heat energy coming from the eardrum.
Commercially available tympanic thermometers consist of a portable, hand-held battery powered main unit providing electronics, a display and a probe containing a "thermopile" or pyroelectric heat sensor. This special heat sensor called a "thermopile" is especially sensitive to the eardrum's radiant heat energy. Microelectronics can determine eardrum temperature from the electrical signals provided by the "thermopile" sensor. The thermopile's sensing probe or "nacelle" is typically an integral part of the tympanic thermometer's main unit--reducing the potential for breakage of the sensor assembly and (at least potentially) increasing reliability and accuracy.
The sensing probe typically has a tapered or cone shape for easy insertion into the outer ear canal. All of the commercially available tympanic thermometers accept disposable probe covers. These disposable probe covers further minimize the risk of spreading disease, and also promote cleanliness by preventing ear wax and other secretions from contacting the probe. Different manufacturers have different probe cover configurations (see FIGS. 1A-1B), but all of these probe covers have the common characteristic that they are relatively transparent to (and thus do not block or reduce) the radiant heat energy given off by the eardrum.
To use the ear thermometer, a nurse or other care provider inserts a disposable probe cover onto the instrument's sensing probe. Once the disposable probe cover is in place, the nurse or other caregiver inserts the covered probe into the patient's outer ear and then presses a button to command the instrument to make a measurement. The measurement time is usually very rapid--on the order of two seconds or less. The patient's temperature instantly shows on the instrument's display. The instrument may then be removed from the patient's ear, and the disposable cover can be stripped off the instrument and discarded.
Ear thermometry has advantages over other temperature measuring techniques:
The measuring time is very rapid--usually less than two seconds.
Because the ear is a dry orifice, cross-contamination is not much of an issue--and individual, disposable probe covers further reduce the already low cross-contamination risks.
The theoretical accuracy of the measurement is very high (for example, on the order of one tenth of one degree).
Because of the short measurement time and the use of the ear as the measuring point, it is possible to rapidly measure the temperature of children, invalids and sleeping patients--and in other situations where it is difficult to get a patient to sit still for thirty seconds with a probe under their tongue.
Despite these many clear advantages, ear thermometry has not yet achieved wide success in the medical marketplace. Even though many hospitals are believers in the concept of ear thermometry, the hospital market overall has converted less than twenty-five per cent of its temperature measurements to ear thermometry--and the hospitals that have converted are often displeased with their choice.
The main reason for past failures is that existing ear thermometer/probe cover combinations do not provide the high, repeatable accuracy required in a demanding hospital environment. Nurses are often unable to duplicate ear thermometer readings. If you try to measure the same person's temperature twice with existing commercial ear thermometer/probe cover combinations, you may get two very different readings. Since accurate, repeatable temperature measurements are important or even critical to medical diagnosis and treatment (for example, to detect a 101.5� F. hospital fever threshold or to establish a temperature pattern over time), it is important for temperature measurements to be as accurate and repeatable as possible.
For an ear thermometer to make an accurate, repeatable measurement, the ear thermometer probe must be aimed directly at the eardrum. Readings will be different unless the orientation of the probe within the ear is duplicated nearly exactly from one reading to the next. Because different structures within the ear give off, absorb and reflect different amounts and types of radiant energy, even slight differences in alignment between the probe sensor and the patient's eardrum can cause significant differences in the temperature reading.
Poor technique is the leading cause of ear thermometer inaccuracy and non-repeatability--and disposable probe cover design is an important factor in the nurse's ability to repeatably, correctly align the probe within the patient's ear. There have been several general approaches to tympanic thermometer probe cover design in the past. In one design approach, the disposable probe cover has a generally rigid structure designed to guide and place the probe (see FIGS. 1A & 1B for examples). In another design approach, the probe cover has very little structure, acting solely as a barrier against contamination and playing no role at all in probe placement (see FIGS. 1C & 1D for examples).
FIGS. 1A-1D show some examples of prior art tympanic thermometer probe covers. Prior art FIGS. 1A and 1B show examples of prior art probe covers that are designed to assist in guiding and placing the probe. The FIG. 1A prior art probe cover 10 is made by Thermoscan, Inc. of San Diego Calif. and marked with "U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,834". This probe cover 10 is made out of a single unitary piece of thin, lightweight, semi-rigid, stiff hollow translucent plastic material shaped into a cone 12. The cone 12 includes a thicker "shank" portion 18, and terminates in a thinner end portion 13 comprising an integral piece of thin plastic film 14 that is impervious to moisture but transparent to (and does not absorb) radiant heat energy at the infrared wavelengths emitted by the eardrum. The FIG. 1A one-piece probe cover 10 is designed to be inserted over a correspondingly cone-shaped probe. A surrounding retaining ring base 16 retains cover 10 on the probe during use. When cover 10 is inserted over the probe, plastic film 14 is stretched tightly over the end of the probe to provide a thin, wrinkle-free film "window" that is substantially transparent to infrared radiant energy. The conically shaped stiff "shank" portion 18 of cover 10 tapers to glide into the passageway of a person's ear leading to the eardrum thus--helping to position the probe relative to the eardrum. This stiff construction also allows probe covers 10 to be stacked one inside another for compact shipment.
FIG. 1B shows a different prior art probe cover 20 sold by Sherwood Medical Co. of St. Louis, Mo. (this design is also explained in Sherwood's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,516,010, 5,293,862, 5,179,936, 4,790,324, 4,662,360 and/or 4,602,642 and possibly also in a still-pending continuing application of these). The FIG. 1B probe cover 20 comprises a thick rigid plastic cone 22 for insertion into a person's ear. Probe cover 20 is made out of injection molded, rigid polyethylene or polypropylene white plastic. Small tabs or "ears" within the hollow inner space formed within plastic cone 22 retain cover 20 on a specially designed corresponding probe. Plastic cone 22 terminates in a circular opening 24. A retaining ring 26 formed around opening 24 retains a thin transparent polypropylene or polyethylene plastic film membrane 28. Film membrane 28 is in an unstretched and wrinkled condition when the cover is not in position over a probe. When rigid probe cover 20 is inserted over a probe, the film membrane 28 stretches over the probe end to remove the wrinkles and provide a thin, substantially transparent film layer of uniform thickness. This stretched film layer 28 allows infrared radiant energy to pass through and reach the infrared probe inside rigid probe cover 20 without letting fluid, earwax, germs or anything else from the ear cavity come into contact with the probe.
The rigidity of disposable probe covers 10, 20 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B can help a nurse insert the probe into and position the probe within the patient's ear. The rigidity of these probe covers 10, 20 also facilitates easy ejection of the probe covers from the probe after measurement. Unfortunately, this same rigidity makes these probe covers exceedingly uncomfortable for the patient. Because every person's ear has a different opening size, the "one size fits all" approach of the FIG. 1B probe cover 20 leads to discomfort and other problems. For example, probe cover 20 shown in FIG. 1B is known to become stuck in a person's ear, and can also scratch the inside of the ear. Frequently also, the probe tip will puncture the membrane film of the FIG. 1B probe cover when the clinician is inserting the thermometer into the probe cover.
The FIG. 1A probe cover 10 design is somewhat less uncomfortable than the FIG. 1B design, but the rather large diameter of conical shank 18 can be uncomfortable for some people. Moreover, its unitary, one-piece construction requires sophisticated techniques for drawing thin film portion 14 from the relatively thicker shank portion 18 during manufacture without puncturing the film. Also due to their rigidity, the FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B designs do not allow for total sealing of the ear canal to prevent external light and heat from entering during a measurement--degrading the accuracy and repeatability of temperature measurement.
FIGS. 1C and 1D show example prior art probe covers that follow a different approach of being mechanically transparent so as not to affect probe placement in any way. The FIG. 1C probe cover 30 is manufactured by Diatek, Inc. of San Diego, Calif. See U.S. Pat. No. Re. 34,599. This probe cover 30 includes a flat paper backing 32 that supports a piece of transparent film 34. Film 34 is stretchable, and completely envelopes the probe when cover 30 is placed over the probe--stretching tightly over the probe so as to provide a radiation-transparent film layer between the probe and the patient's ear. The FIG. 1C design has several advantages, including inexpensive construction, flat storage, and stackability. A big disadvantage of the FIG. 1C probe cover 30 is that the probe cover is of no assistance in reliably, repeatably positioning the probe within the person's ear. This probe cover 30 is designed to be used with a temperature sensing "gun" also manufactured by Diatek (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,281)--an unpopular design because of the bad connotations associated with putting a gun to someone's head.
FIG. 1D represents another prior art probe cover 40 manufactured by Exergen Corp. of Newton, Massachusetts and marked "U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,419." This disposable probe cover 40 comprises a film sheet 42 that is dispensed in a pre-perforated roll. In use, the nurse inserts a pin portion of the ear thermometer positioned opposite the probe into a first hole 44, and then wraps film 42 around the front of the probe and continues wrapping until a second hold 46 is aligned with the same pin portion. The nurse can then tear sheet 42 from the rest of the roll along the line of perforations 48. Holes 44, 46 retain sheet 42 on the probe during measurement. Although probe cover 40 is inexpensive to manufacture, it is difficult for a nurse to position properly onto the probe. In addition, the FIG. 1D probe cover 40 may not always reliably wrap around the front portion of the probe--creating wrinkles that can effect measuring accuracy. The FIG. 1D probe cover 40 can also slip off the probe without the nurse realizing.
The FIG. 1D cover also has repeatability problems. In actual use, clinicians regard repeatability as implying accuracy. If the same reading can be obtained from the same ear, within several tenths of a degree, then the thermometer is regarded as accurate, regardless of the actual core temperature of the patient. All of the manufacturers currently recommend that if a second temperature measurement is required, that it should be made in the other ear. The reason for this is not obvious, but it does have a tremendous bearing on a major problem concerning accurate measurements.
Simply stated, because the nacelles of tympanic thermometers are generally at or near room temperature, which can be up to forty degrees below patient core temperature, the nacelle can rapidly draw off heat from the ear canal, impacting successive measurements dramatically. An excellent demonstration of this effect is to place the Exergen unit in a patient's ear and leave it in place for about a minute, while taking temperatures every ten seconds during this time frame. The average decrease in readings is always several degrees over a minute. The Exergen models produce the most dramatic thermal reductions because the heat transfer is taking place between the ear canal, a FIG. 1D thin layer of film, and a large stainless steel mass. To a lesser extent, the FIG. 1A-1C probe cover designs exhibit the same, effect, albeit to a lesser extent.
As evidenced by the example prior art tympanic thermometer probe covers shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, there is a long felt but unsolved need for an ear thermometer disposable probe cover that:
is helpful to the nurse or other care provider in correctly, repeatably positioning the probe relative to the patient's eardrum,
is inexpensive to make,
is easy to place over the probe before use and easy to strip from the probe after use,
is comfortable for the patient, and
promotes measuring accuracy.
No prior solution meets all of these needs.
The present invention provides a new disposable probe cover for an ear thermometer that meets all of these needs and provides other advantages as well. The disposable probe cover provided by this invention is made from a compressible, deformable material such as plastic foam. The disposable probe cover provided by this invention has the following advantages:
Very easy to use.
Easy to strip off probe after use.
Much more comfortable to the patient.
Unlikely to lodge in the ear canal.
Foam provides a spring action to push itself out of the ear--helping to prevent it from becoming lodged in the ear.
Will not cause scratches or other abrasive injury.
Completely conformable, allowing a comfortable sealing of the ear canal.
The patient can detect proper sealing by the effect it has on the change of hearing--allowing the patient to confirm to the nurse that the probe is properly in position.
Prevents external light and heat sources from adding inaccuracies to the temperature measurement.
Provides excellent thermal isolation between the ear canal and the thermometer probe body--improving measurement accuracy by reducing thermal drift associated with the cold junction of a thermopile-type measurement instrument.
Is an excellent thermal insulator and barrier. By limiting the amount of heat drawn off the ear canal, the ability to achieve repeatable measurements is greatly enhanced.
Provides extremely low emissivity in the infrared wavelength band of interest--further reducing error factors introduced through reflection within the ear canal.
Is inexpensive to manufacture.
Stretches over the probe to retain the probe cover without any special retention tabs or other mechanisms.
Can stretch to fit a variety of different configuration probes
Provides conforming resiliency that accommodate a wide range of different ear sizes without being uncomfortable.
Can, in one embodiment, provide an externally-bonded thin-walled pre-stretched barrier (which can be less than 0.0075 inches) of high-density polyethylene that is substantially transparent to infrared radiation of interest while providing an industry accepted form of infection resistance and control.
Can be inexpensively vacuum-formed from a sheet of closed-cell foam that is dye cut and further laminated with a sheet of high density polyethylene.
Allows use of a variety of different oversized probe configurations.
In one embodiment, preferred black or darker color foam provides greater repeatability by blocking extraneous light, absorbing stray ambient light, and having very low emissivity with negligible thermal mass.
These and other features and advantages provided by the present invention will be better and more completely understood by referring to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings of which:
FIGS. 1A-1D show some examples of prior art disposable ear thermometer probe cover designs;
FIG. 2 shows an example disposable probe cover provided in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 3 shows an example of how the FIG. 2 probe cover can be used with a tympanic thermometer to make an accurate, repeatable temperature measurement;
FIG. 3A shows a more detailed view of how the preferred embodiment probe cover provided by this invention seals the ear passage while providing sufficient resilient conformal support to assist a nurse in repeatably positioning the infrared probe relative to the person's eardrum;
FIGS. 4A and 4B show how the preferred embodiment probe cover can accept and stretch over an oversized probe;
FIGS. 5A and 5B show how the preferred embodiment probe cover can be easily ejected from the probe;
FIGS. 6A-6F show examples of alternate preferred embodiment probe cover configurations;
FIGS. 7A-7C show examples of how multiple probe covers can be packaged and distributed in a common, pre-perforated block;
FIG. 8 shows an example ear thermometer and associated probe cover dispenser tray designed to accept the probe cover block shown in FIGS. 7A-7C; and
FIGS. 9A-9C show example processes for manufacturing the preferred embodiment probe cover.
FIG. 2 shows an example disposable probe cover 50 provided by this invention. Probe cover 50 provides a cover or sheath for covering an ear thermometer radiant energy sensing probe 66. Probe cover 50 prevents germs and secretions within a person's ear canal 152 (see FIG. 3) from contacting probe 66 while being substantially invisible to infrared radiant heat energy emitted by the person's eardrum that is directed along the path toward probe sensing end 68.
FIG. 2 shows probe 66 before it has been inserted into and covered by probe cover 50. FIGS. 3, 3A, 4A, 4B and 5A show probe cover 50 in cross-section after the probe 66 has been inserted into and covered by the probe cover.
Probe cover 50 in the preferred embodiment is made of closed-cell black plastic foam (e.g., a closed cell polyolefin foam such as polyethylene or polypropylene, thermoset closed-cell polyurethane foam, or expanded polystyrene foam). The foam may have a density of anywhere from 2 pounds to 6 pounds per cubic foot for example. In this embodiment, the foam wall thickness of the finished probe cover 50 will vary, but in the preferred embodiment may have a thickness of between 1/16 and 3/16 of an inch to provide a desired cushioning and sealing effect. The foam construction of probe cover 50 allows the probe cover to deform when inserted into a patient's ear (see FIGS. 3 and 3A)--sealing the patient's ear canal and providing a high degree of cushioning and comfort not available in any prior disposable probe cover design. The closed-cell foam construction probe cover 50 also provides a barrier that is impervious to germs, fluids and other secretions--further reducing the already low risk of cross-contamination.
Probe cover 50 in this embodiment is hollow, defining a central passageway 56 that accepts oversized sensor probes 66 of potentially different configurations. The foam construction of probe cover 50 allows the probe cover to stretch over the oversized probe 66--retaining the probe cover on the probe during use. The foam construction of probe cover 50 also provides a heat insulating effect--insulating the probe 66 from heat sources other than the eardrum the temperature of which is to be measured.
In more detail, probe cover 50 a base portion 62 and a hollow tubular projection 54--which may both be molded from the same foam sheet 52. Base portion 62 may be square in shape (and, in one embodiment, may have dimensions of 0.80 inches by 0.80 inches). Hollow tubular projection 54 projects outwardly from square base portion 62 (so that, in one embodiment, the total length of probe cover 50 may be 0.88 inches). Hollow tubular projection 54 has two ends 58, 60. The first end 58 (closest to the viewer in FIG. 2) is for insertion into a person's outer ear canal 152--see FIG. 3. The other end 60 joins and is integral with base 62.
Tubular projection 54 includes a central hollow passageway 56 disposed axially within and extending its length. This passageway 56 extends the entire length of probe cover 50, and in one example is defined along the central axis of projection 54. The passageway 56 terminates at an opening 64 at the projection first end 58, and at an opening 67 defined in an outer surface 69 of square base portion 62 (see FIG. 4A).
In use, a radiant energy temperature sensing probe 66 is inserted into passageway 56 through the base portion opening 67.
The projection first end 58 is then inserted into the person's ear canal 152 (see FIG. 3). Infrared radiant heat energy emitted by the person's eardrum 150 (see FIG. 3A) passes through opening 64 and impinges upon the probe's sensing end 68 (which is now encased within the probe cover 50).
In this example, passageway 56 is dimensioned and shaped to accept an oversized heat sensing probe 66. Central passageway 56 terminates at end 58 in a substantially circular opening or window 64. The sensor end 68 of probe 66 (which may also be circular--and, in one example, forms the end of a circular infrared waveguide) is aligned with and aimed at probe cover circular opening 64 when probe 66 is inserted into probe cover 50. Radiant heat (infrared) energy can pass through opening 64 to impinge on probe sensing end 68.
In this example, the probe cover outer surface 71 has a cushioning obstruction 82 that prevents the probe cover 50 (and thus the probe 66) from being inserted too far into ear canal 152 and also providing a relatively fixed spacing between the probe end 68 and eardrum 150 each time the probe is inserted into the ear canal 152. In more detail, the preferred embodiment probe cover tubular projection 54 may comprise three sections: an end, insertion section 80; a middle, obstructing section 82; and a base joining section 84. In this particular example, sections 80, 82, 84 may have different diameters and shapes.
For example, insertion section 80 may be substantially circularly cylindrical with a uniform diameter along its length extending 0.13 inches radially outwardly from the edge of circular window 64. Insertion section 80 is preferably shaped and dimensioned to conveniently and easily slide into ear canal 152 without discomfort.
Middle obstructing 82 in this example preferably has a diameter that is substantially larger than that of end section 80 so it won't slide into the ear canal 152. Middle, obstructing section 82 acts as a "stop" to limit how much of probe cover 50 that can be inserted into the ear canal 152. In this example, middle section 82 may have a spherical shape providing an abrupt increasing diameter such that it acts as a stop--abutting against the ear lobe and/or other part of the auricle (see FIG. 3A) to limit penetration of probe cover 50 into ear canal 152--and also providing a sealing effect (discussed below). The rapidly increasing diameter of the probe cover middle, obstructing section 82 helps ensure repeatable temperature measurements by positioning probe end 68 the same distance from eardrum 150 each time the covered probe 66 is inserted into a given patient's ear. This constant distance between probe end 68 and ear drum 150 is helpful in reliably establishing a temperature pattern over time.
Base joining section 84 in this example may have a diameter that is slightly reduced relative to the maximum diameter of middle section 82. The purpose of base joining section 84 is simply to join the rest of projection 54 to base 62.
Although the particular shape and outer contours of probe cover 50 shown in FIG. 2 provides various advantages, modifications to this shape may be desirable in certain situations. FIGS. 6A-6E show some possible alternate configurations for probe cover 50. These alternate configurations are preferably each made from a foam sheet but may provide different outer surface shapes. For example:
FIG. 6A shows a modified probe cover 50a that eliminates tubular base portion 84, and provides a cylindrical end portion 80 and a middle portion 82A shaped as a hemisphere.
FIG. 6B shows another example foam probe cover 50b that provides a flat ledge 86 in the transition region between end section 80 and tapered portion 82A. This flat ledge 86 may abut against the ear lobe or other part of the auricle to provide a positive stop preventing further insertion of probe cover 50 into ear canal 152.
The FIG. 6C probe cover 50c design provides an extending projection 54c that is uniformly linearly tapered.
The probe cover 50d design shown in FIG. 6D provides a projection 54d that is tapered as an ellipsoid to provide a hemispherical shape.
FIG. 6E shows a still additional probe cover design 50e in which the projection 54e has a complex tapered shape.
FIG. 6F shows a probe cover design 50f in which projection 54f has a conical shape terminating in a bulbous end portion, and has a hexagon shaped base portion 62f.
In one embodiment, probe cover internal central passageway 56 may be formed to match the outer surface contour of probe 66. This feature is shown most clearly in FIGS. 4A & 4B. In the particular example shown for illustrative purposes, probe 66 comprises a cylindrical portion 66a, a bulbous center portion 66b, and a terminal cylindrical portion 66c that terminates in probe sensing end 68. In this particular example, the diameter of terminal cylindrical portion 66c is less than the diameter of cylindrical portion 66a--and the bulbous center portion 66b has a generally hemispherical shape having the same diameter as that of cylindrical portion 66a. The shape of passageway 56 generally matches the shape of probe 66 except that the outer dimensions of the probe are greater than the inside dimensions of the passageway. Thus, in this example the probe cover internal passageway 56 may similarly define a lower cylindrical hollow 56a, a bulbous center hollow 56b, and an upper cylindrical hollow 56c communicating with one another to form a continuous passageway. In this embodiment, the probe 66 is "oversized" with respect to passageway 56 in this example in that:
(a) the inner diameter of probe cover internal passageway lower cylindrical hollow 56a is less than the diameter of probe cylindrical portion 66a;
(b) the inner diameter or probe cover passageway bulbous hollow 66b is less than the outer diameter of probe bulbous portion 66b; and
(c) the inner diameter of probe cover internal passageway upper cylindrical hollow 56c is less than the outer diameter of probe cylindrical terminal portion 66c.
When probe 66 is fully inserted into the probe cover internal passageway 56, the probe cover 50 stretches and conforms around probe 66 (due to its foam construction) to form a tight friction fit. Compare FIG. 4A with FIG. 4B. In this particular embodiment, the probe bulbous portion 66b mates with the probe cover bulbous hollow 56b to hold the probe cover 50 on the probe 66. More specifically, in this particular embodiment, the foam material defining the probe cover bulbous hollow 56b expands and stretches around the probe bulbous portion 66b to prevent axial movement of the probe 66 relative to the probe cover 50 (and thus ear canal 152 and eardrum 150) during measurement. The tight friction fit provided by the stretching of the foam material over probe 66 is aided by a high surface tension between the foam and the probe 66 to provide good retention. The coefficient of friction between the foam surface and the probe 66 is high due to the molecular interaction between the two surfaces. The stretchable characteristic of foam also cover 50 allows the cover the adapt to a variety of differently dimensioned (and/or shaped) probes 66.
In one particular example, the probe cover end 58 may be covered by a sanitary barrier 70. Barrier 70 may, in one embodiment, cover the entire outer surface 72 of probe cover 50--or it can be placed across opening 64. Barrier 70 prevents germs, fluids, ear wax and other contaminants from passing through opening 64 into contact with probe 66. Barrier 70 in one embodiment may comprise a thin clear high-density pre-stretched polyethylene plastic film sheet. For example, barrier 70 may be a plastic film membrane in the range of 0.0005" and 0.010" thick. Barrier 70 is substantially transparent to infrared radiant energy in the wavelength range of 8 to 14 microns emitted by the human eardrum--allowing such radiant energy to pass substantially unimpeded from the eardrum through circular opening 64 and passageway 56 to strike probe sensing end 68.
In use, barrier 70 across circular opening 64 should be of uniform thin thickness without any bumps, wrinkles, distortions or other obstructions. In this particular example, barrier 70 comprises a plastic film that is pre-stretched across opening 64 in an entirely unwrinkled state at time of manufacture. Barrier 70 therefore has no wrinkles in it at any time. Since probe cylindrical portion 66c may in one example be oversized (and/or include an oversized portion 73) with respect to probe cover internal passageway cylindrical hollow 56c as discussed above, inserting the probe 66 into cover 50 may cause the barrier 70 to further stretch across opening 64--from an already pre-stretched condition to a further stretched condition. The expansion of probe cover 50 around oversized probe 66 (e.g., structure 73) may cause the normally-stretched barrier 70 to stretch even further across window 64 to provide a uniformly thin (e.g., less than 0.0075") high-density barrier that is impervious to germs and other contaminants but substantially transparent to at least a part of infrared radiant energy within the wavelength range emitted by eardrum 150. Deformation of foam based probe cover 50 upon contact with the ear may cause barrier 70 to stretch still further. More specifically, when the probe cover 50 is inserted into ear canal 152, the cover deforms axially outwardly to further stretch the barrier 70. This additional stretching of barrier 70 does not have any adverse effects so long as the barrier doesn't stretch so much that it punctures. Since the thickness of barrier 70 during measurement is a factor in the temperature reading, it is desirable to have different individual probe covers 50 provide about the same amount of stretching for insertion of a given probe 66.
Probe sensing end 68 may be positioned any desired distance from barrier 70 when the probe 66 is fully inserted into probe cover 50. However, since the barrier 70 can never be a 100% transparent to radiant energy (and will generally exhibit some reflectivity characteristics), it is desirable to control the distance between the probe sensing end 68 and the barrier 70 so as to provide a higher degree of measurement repeatability. Therefore, in this particular example, the mating of probe bulbous portion 66b with the corresponding stretch-fit probe cover passageway bulbous hollow 56b causes probe sensing end 68 to be disposed some fixed axial, repeatable distance from (without contacting) the barrier 70 pre-stretched across and covering the opening 64.
FIGS. 3 and 3A show how probe cover 50 can be used with a tympanic thermometry instrument 100 to make a temperature measurement. Probe 66 is first fully inserted into the probe cover central passageway 56 by inserting probe sensing end 68 into base opening 67 and then exerting pressure. Because of its deformable, stretchable foam construction, probe cover 50 stretches over probe 66 to provide a friction fit that securely retains the probe cover on the probe's outer surface--and also compensates for differences in shape and dimensions for differently configured probe heads.
Conforming the central passageway 56's inner surface to the probe 66's outer surface also exactly aligns the probe sensing end 68 with the probe cover window 64.
The nurse or other care provider then inserts probe cover 50 insertion end 58 into the external acoustic meatus (ear canal) 152 of the patient. Probe cover insertion end 58 easily slides into ear canal 152. Because of its compressible foam construction, probe cover 50 conforms to the shape and dimensions of the ear canal 152--provide a high degree of patient comfort and also sealing the ear canal to prevent external light, air currents and radiant heat from entering the ear canal during temperature measurement. Such external heat, air currents and/or light can affect the temperature measurement. Additionally, since the foam has an extremely low emissivity and high absorption in the wavelength bands of interest, it further reduces error factors introduced through reflection within ear canal 152. For example, black foam provides very low emissivity and thermal mass, and also absorbs and has low reflectivity to ambient light due to high visible light absorption factor. White colored foam can also be used. The foam color can be chosen to provide optimal radiant and optical characteristics (i.e., passivity, emissivity, absorption and reflectivity). In this example, the foam body has low reflectivity of ambient light and of the wavelength bands of interest; has a high attenuation to ambient light; has a low passivity to ambient light; and is substantially opaque to ambient light.
As mentioned above, the foam construction also provides a useful cushioning effect that keeps the hard surfaces of probe 66 away from the ear canal 152, provides a generally comfortable feel, and easily accommodates ear canals 152 having different sizes and shapes. See FIG. 3A. It keeps patient discomfort to a minimum, and is unlikely to lodge in the ear canal 152 or cause abrasive injury. Anyone who has ever had their temperature taken with a prior art rigid probe cover 50 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B will remember how uncomfortable the experience was. The soft, supple foam construction of preferred embodiment probe cover 50 provides an altogether different, much more pleasing experience. With probe cover 50 inserted the patient may feel pressure and will also have his or her hearing muffled due to the probe cover's sealing effect (e.g., as if you put your ear up to a sea shell). Thus, the patient can tell when the probe cover 50 has been fully inserted--an additional benefit if the patient is taking his or her own temperature (or to help train nurses in using proper temperature measuring technique). The inserted probe cover 50 does not feel like a too-big, hard object--the sensation most people experience with the prior art probe cover designs of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The preferred embodiment probe cover 50 provided by the present invention also provides a useful positioning function-guiding and centering probe 66 within ear canal 152 to aim probe 66 more or less directly at eardrum 150. This centering and aiming function provided by probe cover 50 improves the measuring accuracy and repeatability of tympanic thermometer 100 by ensuring that probe 66 is aimed at eardrum 150 and assumes more or less the same position relative to the eardrum and the ear canal 152 each time the probe is inserted into the same patient's ear canal. While some of the aiming and guiding responsibility still falls upon the nurse's technique (for example, how he or she grasps the instrument 100 relative to the patient's ear canal 152), probe cover 50 is helpful in this guiding and placement function.
Probe cover 50 also performs an important insulating function. Because foam is a natural insulator, it provides excellent thermal isolation of the ear canal 152 and the probe 66 (in particular, the so-called "cold junction mass" within the thermopile sensor of the thermometer 100 nacelle). The largest degree of error in any thermopile-type measurement instrument is usually the thermal drift associated with the cold junction. The foam construction of probe cover 50 dramatically reduces the ΔTemp/ΔTime relative to contact with the ear canal 152--reducing such thermal drift and improving measurement accuracy and repeatability. The ability to achieve repeatable measurements from the same or different ear is greatly enhanced by the insulative effect of probe cover 50 limiting the amount of heat drawn off the ear canal.
Once the measurement is completed, disposable cover 50 can be stripped from probe 66 and discarded. One way to strip cover 50 from probe 66 is simply to grasp the cover with the hands and pull it off the probe. However, it is desirable to make the stripping operation as simple, fast and easy as possible while minimizing contact between the nurse's hands and any portion of cover 50 that has been in contact with the patient. FIGS. 5A and 5B show how probe cover 50 can be easily stripped from instrument 100 after use through use of an ejecting ring structure 90.
In this example, instrument 100 may be equipped with a retractable ejection ring structure 90. Ejection ring structure 90 may be moved between two positions: a retracted position (as shown in FIG. 5A) and an extended, ejecting position (as shown in FIG. 5B). Ejection ring structure 90 may include an annular grasping portion 92 and a conical stripping ring 94. Probe cover base 62 may abut an upper surface 94a of stripping ring 94 and the probe 66 may pass through a central cylindrical passage 96 within the ejection ring structure 90 when the probe cover 50 is fully inserted onto probe 66 and the ejecting ring structure is in the retracted position. To strip probe cover 50 from probe 66, the user simply moves ejection ring structure 90 from its retracted position to its ejecting position. In the ejecting position, ejection ring structure 90 may extend fully over probe 66 (see FIG. 5B)--overcoming the friction between the probe cover and the probe and stripping off the probe cover.
It also is desirable to help the nurse insert probe 66 into a probe cover 50 as easily and rapidly as possible without requiring the nurse to touch, with his or her hands, any part of the cover that will be placed into direct contact with the patient. FIG. 7A-7C show how multiple foam probe covers 50 can be distributed together in the form of a block 200 for use with a dispensing tray 300 shown in FIG. 8. By way of example, the block 200a shown in FIG. 7A comprises twenty-one individual probe covers 50 of the type shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7B shows a block 200b of twenty-one probe covers 50e of the type shown in FIG. 6E. FIG. 7C shows a block 200c of probe covers 50f of the type shown in FIG. 6F, the hexagonal base portions 54f providing a very compact packing density so many probe covers can be provided in a small flat surface area. In each case, the individual probe covers 50 are attached together by small foam fingers extending across a cut or perforated line 202. Probe covers 50 can be easily separated from one another by application of a small amount of mechanical pulling force--but stay attached to one another during shipment and handling of block 200 as a whole.
FIG. 8 shows an example probe cover dispenser tray 300 designed to accept and dispense a probe cover block 200. In this example, the probe cover block 200 is inserted into a rectangular tray opening 302 defined by tray 300, with the probe cover projecting portions 54 facing downward into the tray. This leaves opening 67 into which probe 66 is to be inserted completely exposed. To attach an individual probe cover 50 to probe 66, a user may grasp the tympanic thermometer instrument 100 and insert probe 66 into probe cover opening 67 (see phantom lines in FIG. 8). The nurse then pushes probe 66 downwardly into probe cover passage 56--deforming and stretching the probe cover as shown in FIG. 4B to provide a tight frictional, high surface tension fit between the probe cover and the probe.
The probe 66 may stretch the foam composition of probe cover 50--causing the already stretched barrier 70 to become further stretched. The probe head expanded portion 73 helps to further stretch barrier 70 without requiring any contact between the probe end 68 and the barrier 70. Gently pulling the thermometer 100 away from tray 300 will provide enough force to separate the individual probe cover 50 from block 200--leaving probe 66 fully inserted into probe cover passage 54. The advantage of using the dispensing tray 300 shown in FIG. 8 is that it allows a nurse to very rapidly cover probe 66 with a probe cover 50 without having to ever touch or otherwise contact the outer probe cover surface 71 that is to come into contact with the patient. As discussed above, the barrier 70 may become still further stretched from its already-stretched position upon insertion of probe cover 50 into the ear canal 152 due to the outward deformation of the probe cover upon contact with the structures of the ear.
FIGS. 9A-9C show different example processes for manufacturing probe covers 50. In the FIG. 9A example, a foam sheet 52 of desired thickness (for example, between 1/64th of an inch and 1/4 of an inch--and preferably between 1/16 and 3/16 of an inch thick) is heated by a heater 401, and is then placed between two mating compression halves 402, 404. The compression mold halves 402, 404 are shaped to provide the desired probe cover shape and inner passageway 54 shape (see FIGS. 6A-6E). In this example, the compression mold process may be used to pinch form the passageway 54. The compression mold halves 402, 404 may the be opened and the resulting formed sheet 52' may then be held in place on a workpiece 406 (or on lower mold half 404) by a vacuum. A film sheet 70 of desired thickness is then laminated on top of the formed foam sheet 52' using a hot die 408 that also punches opening 64 and provides perforations 202 between individual probe covers 50--or a numerically controlled ("NC") laser cutting device can be used to cut the perforations between the individual probe covers. Film sheet 70 may be laminated over the entire molded foam sheet 52', or it may also be cut so as to cover a smaller surface area--but at least all of openings 64.
In the FIG. 9B example manufacturing process, a foam sheet 52 is heated by a heater 401 and is then placed onto a heated vacuum workpiece 406 that vacuum forms the foam sheet into the desired shape. A punch 410 cuts openings 64 into the sheet 52 to form individual probe covers 50. The same or different heater 401 is used to reheat the formed, punched foam sheet 52'. A film sheet 70 is then drawn down and sealed to provide a laminated film seal covering openings 64. A perforator 412 is then used to cut the perforations between the individual finished probe covers 50 to allow for separation of the individual pieces.
In the FIG. 9C example, heater 401 is used to heat the foam sheet 52 and a vacuum Workpiece 406 forms the foam sheet into the desired shape as shown in FIG. 9B. A laser 420 is then used to cut the holes 64 (and can also be used to cut the perforation between probe covers). Film 70 is then placed over the foam 52 and a heated die 422 is lowered into position. Pressure exerted by heated die 422 pre-stretches film 70 over holes 64, and the heat from the die bonds film 70 to foam 52 to maintain the film in a pre-stretched, wrinkle-free state. The film 70 is not pre-heated except locally along the edges of the perforations. Because the film 70 is heated only locally, it does not sag or become loose or wrinkled in the neighborhood of hole 64 but instead remains tightly stretched across the hole.
When you are sick, you want to make sure your doctor has the most accurate information concerning your condition--and you also dread having to put up with uncomfortable procedures. They take your temperature many times a day in the hospital. The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable every time they take your temperature. The prior art ear thermometer probe covers (see for example FIGS. 1A and 1B) are extremely uncomfortable because of their rigidity and other shortcomings. They can even get stuck in your ear, and they can scratch your ear. The present invention provides a new foam probe cover design that is much more comfortable and effective as compared to prior approaches.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
Legal Events
Original Image


text:
Hold the summer in your hands
'Til the summer turns to sand
from Local Natives – Ceilings Lyrics on Genius
The summer was their last time together and when they were together it was like having the summer in their control and everything was perfect. But time went on and the summer ends "turns to sand" (also signifying time e.g. an hourglass)
To help improve the quality of the lyrics, visit Local Natives – Ceilings Lyrics and leave a suggestion at the bottom of the page


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35 year old man | Chicago, IL, USA | Seeking women 24-33 within 20 miles
Active within 24 hours
Feel my shirt, it's boyfriend material
Check the box next to great family, friends and career in finance. Here are some things I'm good at: 1. Well timed hyperbole 2. Being incredibly hungry while stuck on a plane as someone next to me happily destroys something from Frontera Grill. 3. Squashing the huge bug you saw in the hallway. Then scaring the crap out of you with a here-take-the-dead-bug-napkin fake out! I'll workout with the best on 'em, but prefer a few rounds of boxing or getting outside for snowboarding, skeet, etc. After I finished my MBA at University of Chicago I took a six week trip around Asia. I will spare you the interminable list, save two things. One, the cuisine in Hanoi is incredible - book a food tour. Two, Angkor Wat is not to be missed. Next trip is to Costa Rica to surf and to read and relax. What am I looking for? Kindness, intelligence and a spark. Happy in a dive bar and comfortable at a black tie fundraiser. No need to message me if you are an owner of a tiny, purse sized dog. It won't work...
Cooking , Dining out , Fishing/Hunting , Movies/Videos , Museums and art , Playing cards , Playing sports , Watching sports , Wine tasting
Baseball, Basketball, Billiards / Pool, Bowling, Martial arts, Other types of exercise, Walking / Hiking, Weights / Machines
I exercise 3-4 times per week.
Don't display my sign
I like Dogs
TV- Shark Tank, Anything by Louis CK, True Dectective Music - Sleigh Bells, Muddy Waters, LCD Soundsystem, Kendrick Lamar, Beach House Food - Schwa, Smoque, Chicago Cut, Bella Notte, Belly Shack
Favorite Authors - Helprin, Lewis, Butcher, Vonegut, Murakami, Klosterman, Cormac McCarthy, Eggers
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What he is looking for
|6'3" (190cms)
|5'1" (154cms) to 5'9" (175cms)
|Body type:
|Athletic and toned
|Slender, Athletic and toned
|No preference
|Dark brown
|No preference
|No Way
|No preference
|Social Drinker
|No preference
|Financial / Accounting / Real Estate
|No preference
|No preference
|Never Married
|Never Married, Widow / Widower, Divorced
|Have kids:
|Wants kids:
|Definitely, Someday
|White / Caucasian
|No preference
|No preference
|Graduate degree
|Bachelors degree, Graduate degree, PhD / Post Doctoral


text:
Stacey Irvine is a 17-year-old U.K. resident who collapsed and was rushed to the hospital earlier this week complaining that she was unable to breathe after eating McDonald's chicken nuggets. This wasn't a one-time fast-food indulgence: Irvine has been eating nothing but McNuggets since the age of 2, according to the Daily Mail.
Her shocking diet left her with inflamed veins on her tongue and anemia; when she arrived at the hospital, she had to be injected with vitamins and nutrients to fight a severe deficiency. Irvine says she's never tasted vegetables or fruit. "My main meal is always chicken nuggets every day," she said. "McDonald's chicken nuggets are my favorite. I share 20 with my boyfriend with chips, but I also like KFC and supermarket brands."
Why didn't her mother Evonne force her to eat a healthier diet like her other two children? "[Stacey's] been told in no uncertain terms that she will die if she carries on like this," she said. "But Stacey says she can't eat anything else."
I'm blown away that Irvine isn't obese: 20 McNuggets contain 926 calories and 58 g of fat.
Image Sources:
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- Cozy Cup with Xocai Healthy Chocolate Nuggets
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- Sippin' Xo Cherie with Xocai Healthy Chocolate
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text:
South Pembrokeshire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from South Pembroke)
|This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2009)
|South Pembrokeshire
Welsh: De Sir Benfro
|- Created
|- Abolished
|- Succeeded by
|Pembroke Dock
South Pembrokeshire (Welsh: De Sir Benfro) was one of six local government districts of Dyfed, Wales from 1974 to 1996.
It was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, from the following parts of the administrative county of Pembrokeshire:
- The municipal boroughs of Pembroke and Tenby,
- The urban district of Narberth and
- The rural districts of Narberth and Pembroke.
The map shows the district as defined above. However, in 1981, the communities of Bletherston, Clarbeston, Llandeilo Llwydarth, Llandissilio West, Llangolman, Llanycefn, Llys y Fran, Maenclochog, Mynachlog-ddu, New Moat and Vorlan were transferred to Preseli district.
It was abolished on 1 April 1996, merging with its neighbouring district of Preseli Pembrokeshire to form a reconstituted Pembrokeshire unitary authority.
See also[edit]
|This Pembrokeshire location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.


text:
The Internal Revenue Service defines an estate as all of the property and investments that a person has at the time of their death. An estate can include a home, vehicle, stocks and bonds, life insurance and cash. To determine the value of an estate, the IRS uses the fair market value of items rather than the value when the items were purchased.
In addition to the assets, all of the debts a person incurred before death and any applicable estate taxes pass to the responsibility of the estate, according to the IRS. These debts must be resolved before any part of the estate can be disbursed. Before a person dies, an estate plan can be created with the assistance of an attorney. According to the Colorado Bar Association, there are two different kinds of estate plans, will-based and trust-based. A will-based estate plan makes the will the official set of instructions as to how the estate should be settled and distributed. Before the estate can pay out or receive any funds, the will must go through probate to ensure validity and swear in the assigned executor, or personal representative. A trust-based estate, according to Fidelity Investments, can allow a third party to hold assets for beneficiaries and disperse the estate at a specified time in a specified way. Trusts may make assets available to beneficiaries faster than a will-based estate because they do not have to go through probate.
Estate planning. involves making plans for the transfer of your estate after death. Your estate is all the property that you own. It can include cash, clothes, jewelry, cars, houses
While the word "estate" seems to apply only to the rich, everyone has an estate, whether large or small. Your estate is all your assets, including bank and investment accounts
Many people think an estate only has something to do with the death of a person. But your estate is the sum and total of everything you own at any given point in your life, from the
Filoli is a 654-acre country estate in Woodside, CA and a California. State Historic Landmark. The house was built in the early 20th century. and is now an interpretive museum exhibit


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28 year old woman | Decatur, GA, USA | Seeking men 25-40 within 100 miles
I want it ALL!!! But I want us to go after it TOGETHER!!!
I am enjoying life right now. I love hanging out with my friends and family but I also enjoy relaxing at home. I'm always up for trying new things. I'm loyal, dependable and hard working. I love the Lord and put him first in all that I do. I value education and believe that there is always room to obtain more knowledge. I am looking for someone cultured and outgoing, someone who enjoys music and arts or just kicking back and relaxing at home. I appreciate a man who can take charge and is up for a challenge. Someone kind with a great sense of humor is also a plus. I would like to meet someone who I can have a great time with first as really good friends then hopefully something more. If you're interested, send an email so we can chat.
Coffee and conversation , Cooking , Dining out , Movies/Videos , Museums and art , Music and concerts , Performing arts , Wine tasting
Walking / Hiking
I exercise 1-2 times per week.
I have Dogs
Middle of the Road
I enjoy the eateries and different activities in Atlantic Station downtown. I also enjoy going to Ethiopian bars and Indian restaurants. I'm not a club goer but I do enjoy going to certain lounges if they're not too rowdy.
Clayton State University, Morrow, GA
I enjoy going to the movies and also watching them at home. I don't get to watch much television. I love trying new food and I especially LOVE to cook!! I enjoy listening to all types of music and I've been singing since the age of 5
Dating after Divorce
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What she is looking for
|5'7" (170cms)
|6'0" (182cms) to 6'6" (198cms)
|Body type:
|About average, Athletic and toned, A few extra pounds, Stocky
|No preference
|Dark brown
|No preference
|No Way
|No Way
|Social Drinker
|Social Drinker
|I'll tell you later
|No preference
|Less Than $25,000
|$35,001 to $50,000, $50,001 to $75,000
|Currently Separated
|No preference
|Have kids:
|No preference
|Wants kids:
|Definitely, Someday
|Black / African descent
|No preference
|Christian / Other
|Christian / Other
|No preference
|Associates degree
|Some college, Bachelors degree, Graduate degree, PhD / Post Doctoral


text:
Deleting Workspaces
When workspaces are no longer relevant, they can be deleted by a workspace admin or a Subscription Owner. To do so, click the
v icon to the right of workspace name at the top of the sidebar and select "Edit Workspace."
You can access your current workspace's preferences by typing Ctrl-Shift-W.
From here, click the red "Delete this Workspace" link at the bottom of the dialog.
This will take you to a confirmation form where you must enter your password before clicking "Delete Workspace" to confirm the deletion. Deleted workspaces cannot be recovered so be absolutely sure you want to delete them before doing so.


text:
More on Economy and Jobs
Women, Not Bosses, Know Best
Capps Launches Bipartisan Congressional Cut Flower Caucus
Capps launches bipartisan Congressional Cut Flower Caucus with Congressman Duncan Hunter
Capps Announces Effort to Assist California Producers Affected by Drought
Capps announced the United States Department of Agriculture will make $20 million available for agricultural water conservation.
Passing the Farm Bill & Defending SNAP
Capps Hails Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill
Capps hailed passage of the final bipartisan agreement on the Farm Bill
Capps Highlights Disaster Assistance Resources for Tri-County Farmers & Small Businesses
Capps announced the availability of several federal drought assistance programs for farmers and small businesses.
Capps Statement on Omnibus Budget for Fiscal Year 2014
Capps issued a statement in response to the House passage of the Omnibus Budget Deal
Unemployment Insurance
Capps Announces $2.4 Million in Federal Funding for Local Firefighters
Capps announced that the City of Ventura Fire Department has received a $2.4 million SAFER grant
Capps Encourages Obama to Nominate Yellen for Fed Chair
Capps sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to nominate Federal Reserve Vice Chair Janet Yellen to head the Federal Reserve when Chairman Ben Bernanke's term expires at the end of the year.


text:
News & Events
Press Releases
George Hadjiyanis, VP of Sales and Marketing at enStratus, Honored in MSPmentor 250 Report
Minneapolis, MN (August 15, 2011) - George Hadjiyanis, VP of Sales & Marketing at enStratus, was selected for Nine Lives Media Inc.'s fourth annual MSPmentor 250, a global report that identifies the world's leading managed service executives, entrepreneurs, and experts. George was recognized and honored for his contribution to enStratus' success and his overall proven leadership in Marketing, Product Management and Sales Operations for Managed IT Services firms.
As one of the founders of enStratus, George has led the expansion of the business to be a leader in the cloud management market. During his leadership, enStratus has gained hundreds of customers including Korea Telecom, SAIC, and the Cloud Security Alliance. enStratus has also gained new channel partners adding resellers and systems integrators for the enterprise and government markets. This expansion, led by George, has been recognized with several awards this past year including the CRN Hot Vendor of the Month Award, the Editor's Choice for the best cloud application management solution by Cloudy Awards, identified as one of the top 55 Cloud Enablers Gaining Mind Share in Q1 2011 by CloudTweaks, and was included in the Cloud Sourcing 100 Index as one of the leading cloud management solutions.
Prior to enStratus, George has shown proven leadership in Marketing, Product Management and Sales Operations for Managed IT Services firms over the past fifteen years. For hosting service provider Agiliti, George was vice president of Marketing during which the firm grew revenues by 300% over 3 years leading to its eventual acquisition by SunGard. Prior to Agiliti, George led Product Management for data archiving solutions at WAM!NET where he secured Fortune 1000 customers and led the M&A activity for a division of EDS. George has also held the role as vice president of Marketing and Sales Operations for Zomax, a provider of software supply chain services. George graduated with an MBA in Strategic Management and International Marketing from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
"We promised to raise the bar with our fourth-annual MSPmentor 250 report," said Amy Katz, CEO of Nine Lives Media Inc. "We've delivered on that goal, paving the way for MSP experts across North America, EMEA, Asia and Australia to network."
The fourth annual MSPmentor 250 report is based on a global survey of MSPmentor site readers conducted from April through July 24, 2010. The MSPmentor editorial staff also weighed in with nominations, based on the team's daily coverage of the managed services market.
To see the complete MSPmentor 250 list, please click here.
About enStratus Networks
enStratus™ is a cloud infrastructure management solution for deploying and managing enterprise-class applications in public, private and hybrid clouds. enStratus has a multi-cloud architecture that provides security, reliability and cloud independence.
We deliver governance for the cloud through a patent-pending security architecture and a powerful management console across all leading public and private clouds including Amazon Web Services, AT&T Synaptic Storage, Cloud.com, CloudSigma, EMC Atmos, Eucalyptus, GoGrid, Google Storage, Nimbula, OpenStack, Rackspace, ReliaCloud, ServerExpress, Terremark, VMware and Windows Azure.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, enStratus serves hundreds of organizations worldwide including Korea's largest telecom provider KT, 8thBridge and The Cloud Security Alliance. Visit www.enstratus.com for more information.
About Nine Lives Media Inc.
Nine Lives Media Inc. defines emerging IT media markets and disrupts established IT media markets. Nine Lives Media Inc.'s team includes more than a dozen experts in such areas as editorial content, social media development, sales and marketing, design, and project management. The company has several websites, including www.mspmentor.net, with leading blogs and social media destinations in the IT channel.
Media Contacts
George Hadjiyanis
Nine Lives Media Inc. & MSPmentor
Joe Panettieri, EVP Editorial Director


text:
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Tag Archives: tags RSS Feed
PrestaShop 1.6.x. How to add and manage product tags
October 06 2014 | Category: PrestaShop Tutorials
In this tutorial we will show you how to create and manage the existing tags in the PrestaShop store.Read More
WordPress. How to change the categories/tags and posts order in the filterable portfolio
August 26 2014 | Category: WordPress Tutorials
This tutorial shows how to change the categories/tags and posts order in the filterable portfolio in WordPress.Read More
Joomla 3.x. Joomla 3.0.x templates and Joomla 3.1.x compatibility (Tags issue)
November 22 2013 | Category: Joomla! Tutorials
This tutorial is going to help you fix a problem with missing tags related to Joomla! 3.0.x templates and Joomla! 3.1.x compatibility.Read More
WordPress. How to add tags to custom post types
December 29 2012 | Category: WordPress Tutorials
This tutorial shows how to add tags to custom post types in WordPress.Read More
Magento. How to add&manage product tags
September 20 2012 | Category: Magento Tutorials
This tutorial is going to show you how to add/manage product tags to your Magento website.Read More
Joomla 2.5.x. How to sort K2 tags
June 21 2012 | Category: Joomla! Tutorials
This tutorial is going to show you how to sort the gallery tags on your Joomla 2.5 template.Read More
HTML 5 Tags Description
October 19 2011 | Category: Working with HTML
The internet has changed a lot since HTML 4.01 became a standard in 1999. Today, some elements in HTML 4.01 are obsolete, never used, or not used the way they were intended to. To improve the markup of the templates our developers started to use HTML5 tags and techniques so checking the pages markup you may notice some new tags. …Read More
How to create recent posts page
April 08 2011 | Category: WordPress, WordPress Tutorials
This tutorial will show you how to create a recent posts list page in WordPress. In other words you'll learn how to create a page that will display recent posts title in a list format.
Before you start this tutorial please make sure you learned how to add pages and create page templates in WordPress.
1. Access your theme directory …Read More
WordPress. How to manage posts meta data visibility
March 21 2011 | Category: WordPress, WordPress Tutorials
This tutorial will show you how to manage post meta data visibility in WordPress Cherry Framework based template.Read More


text:
"Badger Culling Can Make No Meaningful Contribution To Cattle TB Control"
And the long term UK study, Randomized Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) performed between 1998 and 2007 concluded:
"First, while badgers are clearly a source of cattle TB, careful evaluation of our own and others' data indicates that badger culling can make no meaningful contribution to cattle TB control in Britain. Indeed, some policies under consideration are likely to make matters worse rather than better. Second, weaknesses in cattle testing regimes mean that cattle themselves contribute significantly to the persistence and spread of disease in all areas where TB occurs, and in some parts of Britain are likely to be the main source of infection. Scientific findings indicate that the rising incidence of disease can be reversed and geographical spread contained, by the rigid application of cattle-based control measures alone."
That sounds like a definitive conclusion that badger culling is an not only ineffective, but also cruel and unnecessary, as a tool to eradicate bovine TB.
Opposition Groups Set To Challenge The Decision
Opposition groups claim to have gathered 100,000 signatures for petitions opposing the policy, and plans have been announced to mount a legal challenge.
Included in these are almost 25,000 Care2 signatures. If you care about saving these innocent animals, please click here to sign our petition asking British Prime Minister David Cameron to save these badgers from slaughter.
Related Stories
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Bear Hitches A Ride To Downtown Vancouver
Photo Credit: asbimages.co.uk
Read more: animal welfare, badger cull, UK environment secretary caroline spelman. uk prime minister david cameron, uk government
This cull is ineffectual, irrelevant & unnecessary! Please lobby your MPS.
The animals always suffer when someone's profit is at stake
Thanks for sharing.
signed the petition, very upsetting
Thank you for sharing.
Please sign Brian May off Queen petition against badger cull. It is on VIVAS website. We have stopped the welsh one, they are vaccinating instead. Thanks
A huge petition on the government petitions site against the badger cull forced a debate in parliament.
Overwhelmingly MPs voted against the cull.
The speaker of the house said this vote was not binding? why not?
Someone please tell me:
a. What is the point of the government petitions website?
b. Why was the vote not binding?
In other words if it is not just paying 'lipservice' to us the public then any debate and subsequent vote should be legally binding.
The public do not want a Cull. It is only the government who wants this.
They have ignored what we (whom they are supposed to represent) want.
More investigation into vaccinating cattle instead of killing badgers should go ahead.
Kill the badgers to save the cattle . . . . . .
Save the cattle to kill so we can eat them . . . .
Anybody see the insanity in this besides me ?
No? Well just lock me up then . . . .
A Little Good News
Someone should tell the government that bovine tb is massively aggravated by stress so the proposed cull will only make an increase in the number of badgers with tb due to the increased stress from being hunted. A trial cull was done in the last couple of years and the results showed that cases of bovine tb increased in area's that had seen badger culls. Conservatives just want to kill the countryside!!!!!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
All workers deserve extra pay for extra work. Period.
This overhaul of the Dept. of Labor's rules concerning overtime pay would be welcomed by millions of…
Without bees there will be very much fewer creatures living on Earth.