Patent Publication Number: US-2022211457-A1

Title: Protective cover for a part of a medical device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional under 37 CFR 1.53(b) of pending prior U.S. application Ser. No. 16/349,010 filed May 10, 2019 and claims the benefit (35 U.S.C. § 120 and 365(c)) of International Application PCT/EP2017/001296 filed Nov. 8, 2017, which designated inter alia the United States and which claims the priority of German Application 10 2016 013 394.5, filed Nov. 11, 2016, the entire contents of each application are incorporated herein by reference 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to a device (protective device) acting as a protective cover for a part of a medical device, especially for a handle of a medical device, for example, to a lamp (operating lamp) intended for use in an operating room. 
     TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 
     Medical devices and hence also medical devices intended for use in an operating room must frequently be set or adjusted manually by the medical staff during use, for example, during a surgery. Such medical devices have handles or the like for this purpose, which must be sterile in order to prevent transmitted infections by a user to a patient or vice versa. Such handles are usually replaced, for example, before each surgery for this purpose, or a protective device in the form of a sterile cover intended for disposable use or in the form of a disposable cover is arranged on the handle. 
     Such disposable covers usually consist of a bag made of a plastic, which is pushed over the handle in question. The bag is kept open by a stable part at the open end. The protective device is often connected to the handle in a non-positive or positive-locking manner by means of the stable part. In addition or as an alternative, a vacuum generated while a protective device is being arranged on the handle in question is also used for holding on the handle due to the inflow of air into the interior of the protective device being prevented by good sealing. 
     Depending on the configuration, the manufacture of prior-art protective devices is expensive, especially because the individual components, especially individual components in the form of, for example, deep-drawn plastic parts, are already expensive and multipart protective devices must be connected to one another by means of complicated processes. 
     The arrangement of prior-art protective devices on a medical device is at times very difficult precisely in case of non-positive connections to the handle in question, because arrangement with only one hand is very complicated and another person must therefore sometimes hold up nonsterile components of the medical device. 
     Furthermore, it cannot readily be recognized after a use of prior-art protective devices whether the product in question was already mounted. Therefore, disposable products imply the latent risk of infecting patients and users due to negligent or willful multiple use. 
     Finally, prior-art protective devices in a particular packaging have a relatively large volume. This leads to an increase in the cost of sterilization, in the cost of sterile packaging and in the space needed for storage, the latter being especially critical in case of storage in the operating room or in a surgical department because the space available there is incomparably more limited. 
     SUMMARY 
     Based on the observations outlined above concerning prior-art protective devices, one object of the present invention is to provide a protective device for a handle of a medical device, which is characterized by improvements in respect to individual drawbacks mentioned above or in respect to a plurality of the aforementioned drawbacks. 
     This object is accomplished according to the present invention by a protective device for a handle of a medical device, which device comprises a first, flexible part and a second, firm part (a harder part or essentially rigid part—hereinafter rigid part), for the flexible part to cover at least a grip area of the handle entirely when the protective device is arranged on the handle. The rigid part is configured to mesh detachably with a base area of the handle. The rigid part comprises at least one locking element for the detachable fixation at the base area. 
     The protective device being provided for a handle of a medical device accordingly comprises a rigid part intended for the fixation of the protective device on the handle as well as a flexible, bag-type part intended for covering at least the grip area of the handle, wherein the two parts are connected to one another and wherein the rigid part has at least one locking element, which can be detachably connected, for example, lockingly detachably connected, to a counterpiece of the handle. Typical medical devices, on the handles of which such a protective device can advantageously be used, are, for example, operating lamps and monitor mounts. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that the protective device can be arranged on the handle in question and fixed thereto easily, especially with only one hand, without the need to touch in the process the area surrounding the handle and the medical device itself and hence nonsterile parts. In addition, the division into a flexible part and a rigid part leads to an advantageously small package size, the needed volume being determined essentially by the rigid part. 
     In one embodiment of the protective device, the latter has in its rigid part a thread or section intended for interacting with a thread or with a section in the base area of the handle in question. An especially reliable fixation of the protective device at the handle in question is guaranteed by means of such a thread or section. 
     In one embodiment of the protective device, the latter has turning assistance on its rigid part. Such turning assistance facilitates the rotary motion of the rigid part relative to the base area of the handle, which are necessary for fixing the protective device on the handle in question. 
     The fixation of the protective device on the handle in question can be eliminated especially easily and in an especially uncomplicated manner if the protective device has at the rigid part an unlocking device for releasing the locking element from a fixation in the base area of the handle. 
     In a special embodiment of the protective device, the latter has at the rigid part at least one predetermined breaking point associated in space with the unlocking device. When the unlocking device is actuated, for example, during a pull exerted by the hand of the user on the unlocking device, the predetermined breaking point or at least one predetermined breaking point will yield, so that an irreversible deformation of the rigid part of the protective device will result. Based on such a deformation, it can reliably be recognized at any time whether the protective device was already in use. An unintended multiple use of the protective device can thus effectively be prevented. 
     A special embodiment of the protective device is characterized by a rigid, plate-shaped rigid part. The rigid part is adapted with the plate shape especially well to the usual shape of a base area of a handle on a medical device. Moreover, the plate-shaped rigid part can be arranged especially well at the base part and the protective device as a whole can thus be arranged especially well at the handle. Such a rigid part will hereinafter accordingly also be called mounting plate. The plate shape, i.e., the round shape, of the rigid part guarantees, in addition, good guiding of the flexible part of by the rigid part on all sides, so that the flexible part is properly in contact with the grip area of the handle when the protective device is arranged at a handle. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the protective device, the latter comprises a clamp as a rigid part, which is connected to the flexible part at least in partial areas. Such a clamp is elastically movable within the framework of its material properties and makes it possible on compression, for example, to open the flexible part connected to the clamp. This facilitates the arrangement of the protective device on a particular handle, namely, the pulling of the flexible part over the grip area of the handle. In addition, the clamp is a flat component and the protective device will correspondingly have an advantageously small package size in the unused state, the clamp essentially determining the needed area of the package. 
     In one embodiment of a protective device with a clamp as a rigid part, this protective device has at least one locking hook, which acts as a locking element and which meshes with a locking area of the handle during the fixation at the handle, for the detachable fixation of the protective device at a particular handle at the clamp. 
     In another special embodiment of a protective device with a clamp as a rigid part, this protective device has two straps, which are articulated at the clamp and are connected to the flexible part in the edge area thereof in at least some sections. These straps open the flexible part during the compression of the clamp in a defined manner and hold, moreover, the flexible part at the edges thereof on all sides, so that the flexible part is properly in contact at least with the grip area of the handle on all sides when the protective device is arranged on a handle. 
     On the whole, the invention being proposed here is also a system, which comprises a protective device of the type herein and hereinafter described, on the one hand, and a handle of a medical device, on the other hand, wherein the handle has a grip area and a base area. In a special embodiment of such a system, the base area of the handle is set up for the detachable fixation of the rigid part of the protective device at the handle and has for this purpose at least one locking area for receiving the locking element of the protective device. At least one predetermined breaking point is preferably provided, and is configured such that it breaks when the protective device is unlocked, thus clearly showing a past use of the protective device and ruling out a repeated use of the device. 
     In another embodiment of such a system, the locking area has a joining area, a catching area and a stop area with a guide slope in between. The joining area is intended to receive the locking element of the protective device when the protective device is connected to the handle and receives the locking element during the initial connection of the protective device to the handle. The locking element of the protective device can be deflected by means of the guide slope during the connection of the protective device to the handle and during the rotation of the rigid part relative to the base area of the handle and is deflected when the protective device is connected to the handle and the rigid part is rotated relative to the base area of the handle. During the further rotation of the rigid part, the locking element moves from the guide slope into the catching area and acts there to bring about the locking fixation of the rigid part at the base area of the handle. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of drawings. Objects or elements corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference numbers in all figures. 
     The exemplary embodiment or each exemplary embodiment shall not be considered to be a limitation of the present invention. Rather, variations and modifications are possible, especially such variants and combinations which the person skilled in the art can find, for example, by a combination or modification of individual features that are described in connection with the general or special part of the specification as well as are contained in the claims and/or in the drawings with a view to accomplishing the object and which lead to a new subject through combinable features. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a protective device for a handle of a medical device; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a handle intended for arranging a protective device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mounting plate of the protective device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a protective device according to  FIG. 1 , which is arranged on a handle; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting plate for a protective device according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of another protective device for a handle of a medical device; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a handle intended for arranging a protective device according to  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a protective device according to  FIG. 6 , which is arranged on a handle; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a special embodiment of the protective device according to claim  6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a part of the protective device according to  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of special embodiments of a part of the protective device according to  FIG. 6  or  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a handle intended for arranging a protective device according to  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, the view in  FIG. 1  shows as an example an embodiment of the protective device  10  proposed here for a handle  12  ( FIG. 2 ) of a medical device, which is not shown itself, for example, of a medical device in the form of an operating lamp or of a monitor mount. The protective device  10  comprises two parts connected to one another, namely, a first, flexible part  14 , which is pulled over the handle  12  and will hereinafter be called bag  14 , as well as a second, fixed (rigid) part  16 , by means of which the protective device  10  is fixed on the handle in question  12  and which will hereinafter be called mounting plate  16 . 
     The mounting plate  16  and the bag  14  preferably consist of a plastic. The bag  14  is permanently connected to the mounting plate  16 . The connection may be brought about, for example, by welding, bonding or by means of a suitable additional component by clamping. The handle  12  has a grip area  20  as well as a base area  22 . At least the grip area  20  of the handle  12  is entirely covered by means of the bag  14  of the protective device  10  when the protective device  10  is arranged on the handle  12 . The protective device  10  removed from a sterile packaging is now connected detachably to the handle  12  by the bag  14  being pulled over the grip area, and the mounting plate  16  is arranged detachably on the base area  22 . 
     At the mounting plate  16 , the protective device  10  has optional rotation (gripping) aids  18 , in or at which the fingers of a user are supported in order to rotate the mounting plate  16  of the protective device  10  during the arrangement on the medical device in question. The turning assistance  18  may have an elevated and/or recessed configuration relative to the adjacent surface of the mounting plate  16 . 
     The view in  FIG. 3  shows the underside of the mounting plate  16 . The protective device  10  can be connected to the handle  12  of the particular medical device in a positive-locking manner by means of a section or thread  24 , which can be seen here and is enclosed by the mounting plate  16 , and it is connected to this in a positive-locking manner during the arrangement on a handle  12 . The handle  12  or the medical device has a section or thread  26  ( FIG. 2 ) corresponding to the section or thread  24  of the protective device  10 . The thread  24  in the mounting plate  16  and the thread  26  at the base area  22  of the handle  12  do not necessarily have to be threads  24 ,  26  extending continuously helically circumferentially. Short helical sections fitting one another, as they are configured in the embodiment shown, are, in fact, sufficient for a positive-locking connection. As an alternative, for example, a section in the manner of a bayonet coupling or in the form of a bayonet coupling may be considered for use as a section for a positive-locking connection. In the interest of better readability, the description being presented here will be continued based on the example of a thread  24  (internal thread), especially of an internal thread  24  in the form of a plurality of short helical sections, on the side of the mounting plate  16  and of a fitting thread  26  on the side of the handle  12  or of the medical device. Other positive-locking connection possibilities, especially a connection in the form of or in the manner of a bayonet coupling, shall always be implied and expressly considered to be also covered by the description being presented here. 
     In an optional embodiment, the mounting plate  16  of the protective device  10  comprises a locking element  28 , which is embodied in the form of a locking lug ( FIG. 3 ) in the embodiment shown. The locking element  28 , especially the locking lug, is intended to lock the protective device  10  in an end position of the rotary motion on the handle  12  and thus to prevent an unintended removal. The locking element  28  meshes for this purpose, especially in a locking manner, with a locking area  30  ( FIG. 2 ) intended for this purpose in the handle  12 , especially with a locking area  30  in the form of a recess in the thread  26  of the handle  12 . 
     The locking area  30  is optionally configured such that the locking element  28  of the mounting plate  16  is moved by means of the locking area  30  into an end position during the rotation of the mounting plate  16  and is locked in this position. In the embodiment shown, the locking area  30  is several times longer for this purpose than the width of the locking lug acting as a locking element  28  along the outer circumferential surface of the base area  22 . The locking area  30  is divided concretely into a joining area  30   a , a stop area with a guide slope  30   b  and a catching area  30   c.    
     The joining area  30   a  and the catching area  30   c  are slightly broader along the outer circumferential surface of the base area  22  of the handle  12  than the locking lug, being at least so broad that the joining area  30   a  and the catching area  30   c  can receive the locking lug (locking element  28 ). 
     When arranging the protecting device  10  and when combining the mounting plate  16  thereof with the base area  22  of the handle  12 , the mounting plate  16  is or will be oriented first relative to the base area  22  such that the locking lug enters into the joining area  30   a  of the locking area  30 . It is only then that the mounting plate  16  can be placed entirely on the base area  22 , so that the thread  24  of the mounting plate  16  will mesh with the thread  26  of the base area  22 . The thread  24 ,  26  becomes increasingly fixed during the subsequent rotation of the mounting plate  16  relative to the base area  22  of the handle  12 , and the locking lug enters at the same time the stop area and slides along the guide slope  30   b , while the free end of the locking lug is deflected radially outwards due to the elasticity of its material (pushed outwards along with a reversible deformation). During continued further rotation of the mounting plate  16  on the base area  22 , the locking lug finally enters the catching area  30   c . The locking lug now leaves the guide slope  30   b  and is elastically deflected into the catching area  30   c  without the previous deflection based on the guide slope  30   b . The catching area  30   c  is defined by the end of the locking area  30  in the direction of the previous rotation and by the end of the guide slope  30   b  in the opposite direction. This end of the guide slope  30   b  is not beveled, so that the locking lug snapped into the catching area  30   c  prevents a further rotation of the mounting plate  16 , but also a backward rotation of the mounting plate  16 . The mounting plate  16  is thus fixed in an end position defined by the locking area  30  at the handle  12 , namely at the base area  22  thereof, as a result of which the protective device  10  as a whole is fixed at the handle  12 . 
     The locking area  30  is optionally present on the circumference of the base area  22  as a plurality of locking areas, especially in a manner interrupting the thread  24 . In the embodiment shown, the base area  22  of the handle  12  has a plurality of equidistant locking areas  30 , namely, three locking areas  30 , and three areas with one corresponding section each of the thread  26  alternate with the three locking areas  30  along the outer circumference of the base area  22 . 
     In a special variant of this embodiment, the locking element  28  is used as a fixed stop in order to define an unambiguous end position of the mounting plate  16  relative to the base area  22  during the arrangement of the protective device  10  on the handle  12 , which takes place by the mounting plate  16  being “screwed” onto the base area  22 . 
     For unlocking a protective device  10  fixed on a handle  12 , an unlocking device  32 , which may have, for example, a grip ring at the end thereof for easier handling, is provided at the protective device  10 . The locking element  28  is disengaged from the locking area  30  by means of the unlocking device  32 . Without actuating the locking element  28 , which is fixed in, especially snapped into, the locking area  30 , the mounting plate  16  cannot be detached from the handle  12  even by means of a rotary motion, and the protective device  10  as a whole cannot thus be removed from the handle  12 . 
     In a special embodiment, an area around the unlocking device  32  is irreversibly deformed, for example torn off, during the unlocking. This is supported by a suitable configuration of the mounting plate  16  in this area, for example, in the form of at least one predetermined breaking point  34   a  in his area, especially of a predetermined breaking point  34  in the form of a notch or another weakening of the material. In the embodiment shown, the predetermined breaking point  34   a  adjoins at least one slot  34  in the mounting plate  16 , namely, a slot  34  or two parallel or essentially parallel slots  34 , which slot or slots makes/make possible a mobility of the locking device  32 . When the predetermined breaking point  34   a  is broken, the mounting plate  16  is irreversibly deformed after the unlocking by means of the unlocking device  32 . The user can thus recognize the protective device  10  as “already used.” Reuse of the protective device  10  intended to be a disposable product is thus effectively prevented. 
     The view in  FIG. 4  shows a protective device  10  according to  FIG. 1 , which is arranged on a handle  12 . The bag  14  of the protective device  10  fully encloses the grip area  20  of the handle  12  and thus seals this entirely. The mounting plate  16  of the protective device  10  is arranged at the base area  22  of the handle  12  by its thread  24  meshing with the thread  26  on the base area  22 . In case of a protective device  10  with a locking element  28  and with an unlocking device  32 , the locking element  28  is fixed in the or in a locking area  30  of the base area  22  when the protective device  10  is arranged at the handle  12  as intended, and it can be detached from this fixation by means of the unlocking device  32 . 
     The view in  FIG. 5  shows a special embodiment of the mounting plate  16 , wherein the bag  14  ( FIG. 1 ) arranged on the mounting plate  16  in case of a complete protective device  10  is not shown. The peculiar feature of this embodiment is that the unlocking device  32  is oriented in the direction of the rotary motion of the mounting plate  16  during the removal of the protective device  10  from the handle  12 . The mounting plate  16  is thus already rotated in the direction necessary for the removal of the protective device  10  after the unlocking by means of the unlocking device  32 . 
     The views in  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 12  show another embodiment of a protective device  10 ′ of the type being shown here for a handle  12 ′ ( FIG. 7 ) of a medical device, for example, a medical device in the form of an operating lamp or of a monitor mount, which is likewise not shown here itself. This protective device  10 ′ also has a flexible part  14 ′, hereinafter called a bag  14 ′, as well as a rigid part  16 ′, which is configured as a clamp  16 ′ in this embodiment. The clamp  16 ′ is manufactured, for example, from a metal or a plastic and has at any rate a spring-elastic configuration or a spring-elastic configuration in at least some sections. The bag  14 ′ is permanently connected, for example, welded, bonded or clamped, to the clamp  16 ′ at least in partial areas  40 ′. 
     The protective device  10 ′ according to  FIG. 6  is intended for use with a handle  12 ′ according to  FIG. 7 . This handle has a guide  42 ′ for the protective device  10 ′. The guide  42 ′ begins in the grip area  20 ′ of the handle  12 ′, especially at the free, upper end of the grip area  20 ′, and reaches the base area  22 ′ of the handle  12 ′. To arrange the protective device  10 ′ on such a handle  12 ′, the user removes the protective device  10 ′ from a corresponding sterile packaging, and the bag  14 ′ opens by slightly compressing the clamp  16 ′. The protective device  10 ′ can thus be pushed over the handle  12 ′, while the bag  14 ′ is pushed up optionally farther by the grip area  20 ′ of the handle  12 ′. With the protective device  10 ′ arranged on the handle  12 ′ as intended, the bag  14 ′ encloses the grip area  20 ′ entirely and thus it covers same completely. The clamp  16 ′ is now guided by means of the guide  42 ′ of the handle  12 ′ and the bag  14 ′ pushes the clamp  16 ′ into the guide  42 ′ due to the internal stress. The guide  42 ′ has, for example, a round, V-shaped or angular profile. As an alternative, guiding of the clamp  16 ′ may also be guaranteed by means of a groove in the clamp  16 ′ and a corresponding spring as a guide  42 ′ at the handle  12 ′ or a spring in the clamp  16 ′ and a corresponding groove as a guide  42 ′ on the handle  12 ′. 
     The clamp  16 ′ locks itself in the end position with the base area  22 ′ of the handle  12 ′ by means of a locking element  28 ′ enclosed by the clamp  16 ′. In the embodiment according to  FIG. 6 , two locking hooks, which mesh with a corresponding locking area  30 ′ each at the foot of the handle  12 ′, especially in the base area  22 ′ thereof, act as a locking element. To remove the protective device  10 ′ from a handle  12 ′ after the end of use, the locking hooks are unmeshed from the locking area  30 ′ by means of lateral auxiliary grips  44 ′ and the protective device  10 ′ can be pulled off from the grip  12 ′. 
     The view in  FIG. 8  shows a protective device  10 ′ according to  FIG. 6 , which is arranged on a handle  12 ′ according to  FIG. 7 . The clamp  16 ′ in the guide  42 ′ at the handle  12 ′ as well as the auxiliary grips  44 ′ for releasing the locking of the clamp  16 ′ at the handle  12 ′ are seen in the interior of the bag  14 ′. 
     The views in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  show a special embodiment of the protective device  10 ′ according to  FIG. 6 . Two straps  46 ′, only one of which can be seen in the view of the collapsed protective device  10 ′ in  FIG. 9 , are located here at the free ends of the clamp  16 ′. It also becomes clear hereby that the straps  46 ′ lie flat when the protective device  10 ′ is in a package (sterile packaging) and become erect only when the protective device  10 ′ is arranged on a handle  12 ′. 
     The bag  14 ′ of such a protective device  10 ′ is connected by its edge on the open side to a particular strap  46 ′ each in at least some areas, for example, by welding or bonding. Each strap  46 ′ is arc-shaped already in the relaxed state, and the arc shape predefines a preferential direction during the subsequent deformation when the protective device  10 ′ is arranged on a handle  12 ′. When the protective device  10 ′ is arranged on a handle  12 ′, the bag  14 ′ is opened, as in the embodiment according to  FIG. 6 , by compressing the legs of the clamp  16 ′. The force applied to the ends of the two straps  46 ′ during the compression of the legs of the clamp  16 ′ brings about a deformation of the straps, so that the straps  46 ′ undergo a deformation in the direction of an arc shape with an increasingly smaller radius. In the mounted state on the handle  12 ′, the two straps  46 ′ form a circular shape or approximately a circular shape or at least a shape that corresponds to the shape of the base of the base area  22 ′ of the handle  12 ′. The straps  46 ′ fix the edges of the bag  14 ′ at the base area  22 ′ of the handle  12 ′, so that as complete a coverage of the handle  12 ′ as possible, and at least full coverage of the grip area  20 ′ thereof, is guaranteed. 
     The mobility of the straps  46 ′ comprises a folding over from the plane of the clamp  16 ′ ( FIG. 9 ) into a plane extending at right angles or essentially at right angles to the plane of the clamp  16 ′ ( FIG. 10 ) as well as an elastic flexibility. The mobility for folding over from the packaged position into the plane extending at right angles or at least essentially at right angles to the plane of the clamp  16 ′ is guaranteed by means of suitable hinges, for example, film hinges, at the points at which the straps  46 ′ are connected to the clamp  16 ′. The flexibility of the straps  46 ′ is guaranteed by means of selecting a suitable material. The straps  46 ′ are manufactured, for example, from a plastic. 
     The view in  FIG. 11  shows different positions for locking elements  28  arranged in respective pairs at a clamp  16 ′ of the protective device  10 ′. The handle  12 ′ has corresponding locking areas  30 ′, depending on the variant of the clamp. The locking elements  28 ′ shown in  FIG. 11  may also be combined individually or in pairs with additional locking elements  28 ′, for example, such that a clamp  16 ′ has all the locking elements  28 ′ shown in  FIG. 11  or some of the locking elements  28 ′ shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     The view in  FIG. 12  finally shows a variant of the handle  12 ″, in which the locking area  30 ″ is configured in the form of a hook at the handle  12 ″, for example, in the form of a hook at the base area  22 ″ of the handle  12 ″. The protective device  10 ″ is fixed with such a locking area  30 ″ at the handle  12 ″ by the corresponding section of the clamp  16 ″ being hooked into the hook. 
     Individual aspects of the description being submitted here, which are in the foreground, can thus be briefly summarized as follows: Proposed are a protective device  10 ,  10 ′ with a flexible part  14 ,  14 ′ and with a rigid part  16 ,  16 ′, which protective device acts as a protective cover for a part  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ of a medical device, wherein the rigid part  16 ,  16 ′ has at least one locking element  28 ,  28 ′, which can be lockingly connected to a counterpiece of the corresponding part  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ of the medical device, as well as a system, which comprises such a protective device  10 ,  10 ′ and a handle  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ of a medical device, which said handle is intended and set up for arranging such a protective device  10 ,  10 ′. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.