Patent ID: 7118533

Claim:
An apparatus for a trans-esophageal probe having a handle end, an oppositely-disposed probe end, and a connector for connecting the probe to an echocardiography unit, the apparatus comprising a disinfecting unit and a storage unit; wherein the disinfecting unit comprises: a substantially tubular first housing having an interior for containing a fluid, an upper end, and an oppositely-disposed lower end, the upper end having an opening for access to the interior of the first housing, the opening in the upper end and the probe end of the probe being sized so that the opening is substantially closed by the probe end when the probe end is received in the first housing; probe support means above the upper end of the first housing for supporting the handle end of the probe while the probe end thereof is within the interior of the first housing; first means for supporting the connector of the probe while the handle end of the probe is supported by the probe support means; means for indicating the level of fluid within the first housing; and means for draining the fluid from the first housing; and wherein the storage unit comprises: a substantially tubular second housing having an interior, an upper end, and an oppositely-disposed lower end, the upper end of the second housing having an opening for access to the interior of the second housing; means removably mounted to the upper end of the second housing for enclosing the handle end of the probe while the probe end thereof is within the interior of the second housing; and second means for supporting the connector of the probe while the probe end is within the interior of the second housing and the handle end is enclosed by the enclosing means.