Tubular foil cover for medical use

The invention relates to a tubular film cover for medical devices.

Many medical devices, such as endoscopes or arthroscopy cameras are these medical devices with control and evaluation via elongate Hoses and / or cables connected to the sterile covers must be provided.

For this purpose it is already known, the tubular film covers to use that prior to use by means of a so-called Plug fold telescopically to a very short length are pushed together or folded, wherein at one end This film tube is fixed to a retaining ring simultaneously the truncated for inclusion in its length Film tube is used prior to use.

Since the retaining rings such tubular film covers a relatively small width (for example, about 2 cm) which it can in use, ie, when the retaining ring over the elongated tubes and / or cable is pulled to this cover with foil tube cover, happen that medical staff the sterile outside of the protective film his fingers touched, whereby the sterility is no longer guaranteed is. DE-9418340 shows the features of the preamble of claim 1. US-A-5,325,846 shows a tubular film wherein the cover Retaining ring is quite long and even forms a handle protection.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a film tube cover of the above mentioned type, wherein their application can be largely ruled out that the medical staff the sterile outside of the tubular film cover accidentally touched with the fingers.

This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. dissolved.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

The invention will in the following with reference to the drawings still explained in more detail.

In the drawings:<sl><li>Figures 1 to 4 the application of a prior art tubular film cover,</li><li>Figures 5 to 8, the application of an embodiment of the Tubular film cover according to the invention.</li></sl>

Figures 1 to 4 show a typical example of application a known film tube cover.

To the designated overall by 1 film tube cover apply, the sterile part 4 of a medical device to a certain extent by a retaining ring 2 and optionally an opening in the out end of the film tube. 3 Here, the free end the film tube 3 inverted to the right side of FIG 3, wherein the plug-folded film tube 3 partially can unfold. Subsequently, the sterile part of the 5 medical device with the sterile part 4 of the medical connected device, wherein the free end of the film tube before gets pinched between these two parts. After the parts 4 and 5 were connected, pulls the medical Personal retaining ring 2 on the elongated cable 7, to cover the elongated cable 7 with the film tube 3 and thus to ensure sterility. As shown in Figure 4 is shown, it can easily happen that the medical staff the sterile outside of the tubular film 3 with fingertips touching, whereby the film tube 3 can be sterile.

Figure 5 to 8 show the application of a preferred embodiment the tubular film cover according to the invention. 1

The retaining ring 2 has on the sterile part 4 of the medical Device side facing a coaxial with the tubular film 3 handle arranged protection 6. The application of the Tubular film cover according to the invention substantially corresponding to the application of known film hose cover. As is clearly shown in particular in figure 8, prevented by the handle protection 6, however, that the medical Personal sterile tubular film 3 by mistake with the Fingertips touching.

The handle protection 6, for example, integral with the retaining ring 2 or be formed with a part of the retaining ring 2nd This embodiment is particularly useful when the is tactile barrier 6 is formed by a relatively stiff material.

Of course, it is also conceivable to handle protection 6 produce separately from a suitable material, and it then in any suitable manner on the retaining ring 2 to fasten.

It is also feasible that the grip guard 6 by the end portion the film tube 3 is formed of the holding ring 2 is attached. In this case, it suffices to attach the provided at the end portion of the retaining ring 2 of the film tube 3 turn over before the film tube 3 in a suitable manner is attached to the retaining ring. 2 Because the grip protection in this Embodiment formed through the flexible film tube 3 is, it is possible to protect the handle 6 for transportation and Storage flatten or pursue him into the retaining ring. 2 The required storage or transport space is then not greater than in prior art tubular film covers.