Patent ID: 8062225

Claim:
An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact comprising: a. a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal; b. the immersion bag having an upper open end and a closed lower end and further having an attached flexible collar with an integral annular internal seal for sealing about the upper open end and a tip portion of an ultrasound probe, the integral annular internal seal having at least one self-sealing valve extending along, about and through the annular internal seal thereby providing a unidirectional air passage after the tip portion of the ultrasound probe is in place, thereby providing for the escape of air or liquid from within the immersion bag to limit the pressure therein and close upon partial or complete equalization between the immersion bag interior and ambient pressure; c. the immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces; and, d. the ultrasound probe, in use with the immersion bag system, is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.