Patent ID: 7686506
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. A cassette comprising a frame and a plurality of tympanic thermometer probe covers, the probe covers being releasably attached to the frame, the cassette being configured to be stacked with another cassette of substantially identical construction wherein at least one of said plurality of releasably attached probe covers nests partially within at least one of the probe covers of said other cassette, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of longitudinal supports including a first support and a second support supporting a plurality of probe covers arranged in a row, the frame further comprising at least one cross brace connecting two longitudinal supports, a first end of the cross brace is attached to the first longitudinal support, a second end of the cross brace is attached to the second longitudinal support, the cross brace is positioned between two adjacent probe covers in the row of probe covers, each probe cover is separately attached at each longitudinal support by a first frangible connector to the first support and a second frangible connector to the second support and each probe cover is further attached to the cross brace by a third frangible connector, the cross-brace limits deflection of the frame when a detachment force is delivered to the probe cover for removing the probe cover from the frame.