Probe system

Claim 2

A heat sensing probe system comprising a probe member, a heat sensitive element sealingly engaged with and mounted on said probe member, separate and independent of said probe cover, and a disposable probe cover for mounting on said probe member, said probe cover including a body section and a tip including a thermally conductive contact section sealingly interconnected with said body section, said tip being contiguous to and in sealed engagement with said probe member for forming a thermal chamber, between said probe member and said contact section, by said contact section and said heat sensing element being spaced from each other and a low thermal conductivity fluid medium for transferring heat from said contact section to said heat sensitive element.

Claim 3

The heat sensing probe system of claim 1 in which said probe member includes a tube and said heat sensing element is mounted therein.

Claim 4

The heat sensing probe system of claim 1 in which said probe member includes a biasing mecHanism for positively urging said probe cover into sealing engagement with said probe member to form said thermal chamber.

Claim 5

The heat sensing probe system of claim 2 in which at least one of the end of said tube which engages said probe cover and the portion of the probe cover so engaged is flexible.

Claim 6

The heat sensing probe system of claim 4 in which the portion of said probe cover which receives said end of said tube is tapered for increasing the engaging force between said probe member and said probe cover.

Claim 7

A probe cover holding mechanism comprising a housing, at least one locking element for holding a probe cover and one ejection element for ejecting a aprobe cover, an actuator slidably movable in said housing and connected to said elements, a probe member separate and independent of said probe cover and extending from said actuator forwardly, externally of said housing, a guide member for guiding said elements in their forward and rearward movements, a biasing structure for urging said actuator, and said elements rearwardly for compelling said probe cover to sealingly engage said probe member and cam means for spreading said locking elements as they move forwardly against the force of said biasing structure and retracting them as they are moved rearwardly with the force of said biasing structure.

Claim 8

A probe cover holding mechanism comprising a housing, at least one locking element for holding a probe cover and one ejection element for ejecting a aprobe cover, an actuator slidably movable in said housing and connected to said elements, a probe member separate and independent of said probe cover and extending from said actuator forwardly, externally of said housing, a guide member for guiding said elements in their forward and rearward movements, a biasing structure for urging said actuator, and said elements rearwardly for compelling said probe cover to sealingly engage said probe member and cam means for spreading said locking elements as they move forwardly against the force of said biasing structure and retracting them as they are moved rearwardly with the force of said biasing structure.