Portable medical device protectors.

This application claims priority for U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 757,381 filed on February 1, 2013 entitled "Portable Medical Device Protectors" which claims priority for U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 595,635 filed on February 6,

2012 entitled Antiseptic Applicators and Protective Devices, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background of the Invention

In-hospital infection (HAI) has been recognized as a significant cause of mortality and morbidity that can be avoided. In the United States, HAIs have an annual cost of almost 99,000 lives and millions of dollars in additional treatment and hospitalization. Klevens, and associates, Estimation of infection and death associated with hospitals in US hospitals (Estimating Health Care-Associated Infection and Deaths in us Hospitals), 2002, Public Health Reports, Vol. 122, page 160, 2007. Contamination of intravascular catheters, surgical sites and invasive procedure sites often leads to

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device removal and replacement, prolonged parenteral antibacterial therapy and extended hospitalizations and rehabilitation.

The dispersion of organisms resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents is often spread through the hands of health care providers or medical equipment, from a colonized or infected patient to other susceptible patients. Surgical site infections may be the result of inadequate skin antiseptic preparations.

The widespread use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CRG) for routine washing and cleaning of preoperative sites has led to the increased incidence of Staphyloccus aureus resistant to both methicillin (MRSA) and CRG, in some hospital settings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The detailed description is established by referring to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the leftmost digit (s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in the different figures indicates similar or identical articles or characteristics.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a portable medical device protector having a permeable applicator located inside an impermeable container.

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Figure 2 illustrates another example portable medical device protector having a tray that can be removed to store one or more permeable applicators inside a waterproof container.

Figure 3 illustrates another example portable medical device protector that has a removable tray that stores a permeable applicator for scrubbing a device (illustrated as a stethoscope) and an impermeable container to ensure and prevent new contamination.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing an example process for operating an example portable medical device protector.

Detailed description of the invention

This description describes medical applicators and protectors designed to reduce and / or prevent infections. In one embodiment, the present description describes a portable medical device protector comprising a waterproof container or receptacle for containing a portable medical device (for example, a stethoscope) and a permeable, absorbent and / or absorbent applicator that carries an antimicrobial composition. or antiseptic. In some embodiments the antimicrobial composition may comprise water, a low molecular weight alcohol, a peroxide or peroxide generating agent, and a chelating agent. In some embodiments, the permeable applicator may be used to clean the portable medical device to prevent and / or reduce the transmission of infection as the portable medical device is used or transported between multiple patients.

The detailed approach below begins with a section entitled Example Antimicrobial Composition, which describes in detail an example antimicrobial composition that may be included in the medical applicators and protectors described in the present description. The following section titled Sample Device Protectors describes the cleaning devices and sample protectors to use for a portable medical device. Next, an Example Process for operating an example device protector is described. Finally, the description concludes with a brief conclusion.

This summary, which includes the section titles, is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are described further below. The summary is provided for the convenience of the reader and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, or the sections that continue.

Antimicrobial Composition of Example

In an example implementation, the antimicrobial compositions that can be used in connection with the methods described in the present description may include those described, for example, in International Patent Application No. PCT / US201 1/022150 filed on January 21, 2011 to Tennican and associates and the North American Non-provisional Patent Application No. 13 / 688,078, filed on November 28, 2012 for Tennican, which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, antimicrobial compositions may include water (H₂O), a strong and non-toxic chelating agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (for example, a disodium EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, magnesium EDTA, potassium EDTA, gallium EDTA) or sodium citrate (or acids , salts, derivatives or other forms of EDTA or sodium citrate), a short chain monohydric alcohol (for example, ethanol with a molecular formula of C₂H₅OH and an empirical formula of

C₂H₆O), and a strong, small molecule oxidation agent, such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂OR₂). In a specific example, the compositions may consist essentially of water, EDTA, ethanol and hydrogen peroxide. Additional ingredients may include thickening agents, chelating agents, surfactants, foaming agents and / or foam stabilizers. However, in other examples, other antimicrobial compositions may be used in combination with the applicators and devices described in the present description.

The antimicrobial compositions may be in form.

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liquid or gel form, and can be combined with one or more carriers or diluents, depending on the needs of a specific application. For example, if the antimicrobial composition is used as a cleaning agent, the antimicrobial composition may be in liquid form. In that case, the concentration of the various constituents may depend on, for example, a desired level of sterilization and / or disinfection, whether the composition is being applied directly to living tissue or a medical device, and / or to prevent irradiation of the tissue to which the composition will be applied directly or indirectly (for example, by means of a medical device to which the composition is applied or applied).

In addition to providing disinfection at the time of application, antimicrobial compositions can also provide a lasting barrier against contamination. For example, even after the volatile constituents of the composition (for example, water, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) have evaporated, the chelating agent can remain on the treated surfaces (for example, a use bottle multiple or port cleaning / protection device, stethoscope, fingers, surrounding tissue, etc.) as a barrier that will provide antibacterial, antifungal or sporicidal qualities (for example, which prevents germination of spores), anti-parasitic, spermicidal or spermiostatic (for example, decreases sperm motility) and antivirals By depriving the environment of components (for example, iron, magnesium and manganese) that are necessary for the bacteria ( for example,

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudimonas aeruginosa and other resistant bacteria), spores, parasites, fungi, and viruses to reproduce, the chelating agent provide a lasting defense for contamination even after other constituents of the antimicrobial composition have evaporated . Additionally, hydrogen peroxide in antimicrobial compositions can induce a load on a surface of materials (eg, Silicon materials) to which antimicrobial compositions are applied, which make the materials more resistant to bacteria or other microorganisms.

The antimicrobial composition described above may also provide a visual indication of contamination when applied to a surface or material, such indication may allow users to identify and clean surfaces to prevent infection.

The term approximately or approximately as used in the context of the description of the example antimicrobial composition will be interpreted to include a reasonable margin of error that could be acceptable and / or known in the art.

Example Device Protectors

The various example protection devices are described here. Generally described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the example device protectors are configured to prevent and / or reduce the transmission of pathogenic organisms from a colonized patient, surface or user to another patient, surface or user.

Figure 1 illustrates an example device protector 100 for use in a portable medical device. An example portable medical device includes, without limitation, a stethoscope, a thermometer, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse oximeter, a nebulizer. and associated equipment, a telescopic sight, a blood glucose monitor, a Doppler, a capnograph, a suction pump, several equipment nozzles, Ultrasonic diagnostic or therapeutic transducers and / or other diagnostic equipment. In one embodiment, an example device protector 100 may be configured to house any section of or a complete portable medical device and act as a protective cover. As illustrated in Figure 1, the protective device 100 may contain a waterproof container 102 to accommodate any section of a complete portable medical device. The waterproof container 102 may be configured in any number of sizes designated to cover any section or a complete portable medical device. For example, the waterproof container 102 may be configured to house the bell of a stethoscope, or be configured to house the stethoscope completely. Example materials for the composition of the waterproof container include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, aluminum oxide, aluminum foil, polymeric films coated with silicone oxide, propylene, polysilicon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, mylar or combinations thereof. .

In some embodiments, the waterproof container 102 may include a closing mechanism 104 at the opening end 106 of the container 102 configured to securely cover an inserted portion of the portable medical device. Example closure mechanisms may include, but are not limited to, a closure strap, a zipper, a foam opening, a twisted tie, a plastic pin and / or a spring material.

In some embodiments, the closing mechanism is a closing strap and / or a twisted tie. In these embodiments, the opening of the waterproof container may comprise a strap, cable or other similar material, which has two ends extending from the waterproof container. The contents of the waterproof container (for example, the stethoscope bell) are covered when the ends of the strap are pulled and / or twisted. Therefore, the opening of the waterproof container is closed.

In another embodiment, the closing mechanism on the waterproof container may be a foam opening. The foam opening can be configured to allow the medical device or any other part thereof to be inserted through the opening. Upon receiving the portable medical device, the foam opening can be returned to its unopened position, thus protecting the portable medical device from contaminants located outside the impermeable container.

In another embodiment, the closing mechanism additionally comprises a spring material. The spring material can hold the opening of the waterproof container in the closed position. The user can press the opposite ends of the closing mechanism to activate the spring, causing the opening of the impermeable container to open and be accessible for the insertion of any portion of the portable medical device.

In some embodiments, a permeable applicator 108 may be stored within the impermeable container 102.

The permeable applicator 108 may be impregnated or coated with an antimicrobial or antiseptic composition, such as the antimicrobial composition described in the preceding section. In some embodiments, the permeable applicator 108 may be removed from the impermeable container 102 and may be used to clean and / or disinfect any portion of the device.

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portable doctor (for example, diaphragm, chest piece, tubes, hearing aids or any other part of a stethoscope).

The permeable applicator 108 can be configured in various shapes and sizes. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the applicator may be smaller than the waterproof container. In other embodiments, the applicator can be substantially the same size or larger than the waterproof container. In some embodiments, the applicator can be folded, folded, triplicate, etc., on itself in any suitable way to allow the applicator to fit inside the waterproof container.

In another embodiment, the permeable applicator 108 may be attached as an inner liner of the waterproof container 102. For example, the permeable applicator may be attached so that it can be removed or not to the inner walls of the waterproof container. In this mode, a user can place the portable medical device or any portion thereof, inside the waterproof container. Once the device is inside the container, the user can manipulate the container, for example, using a massage action. Such action may allow the permeable applicator attached to the inner walls of the container to scrub / disinfect the medical device with the antimicrobial composition.

Example materials for the composition of the permeable applicator 108 include, but are not limited to, starch polymer, cellulosic gel, polyethylene, cellulosic gel, polyethylene foam, silicone open cell foam or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the permeable applicator 108 may include different surface treatments (eg, drip, cut, etc.) surface finishes (eg, macro-, micro- or nano structures, etc.), and / or contours ( for example, rounded, edged, projections, fingers, etc.) to allow a user to hold the applicator and help scrub or clean the medical device.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a device protector 200, wherein one or more permeable applicators 202 can be stored in a removable tray 204 that is located within the impermeable container 102. The tray 204 can be sealed inside of the waterproof container 102 before being used by the user. In some embodiments, tray 204 can be removed once the waterproof container 102 is opened allowing the user to access / use the one or more applicators 202. Tray 204 can be discarded before placing any part of the medical device. inside the waterproof container 102.

The one or more applicators 202 may have any characteristic of those described above with respect to the permeable applicators of Figure 1. In some embodiments, each of the one or more applicators in the tray may contain the same or different cleaning agent, antiseptic or antimicrobial, or various concentrations thereof.

Figure 2 illustrates an example belt closure mechanism 206, such as the one described above with reference to Figure 1. However, in other embodiments, any other closure mechanism described above with reference to Figure 1, may be used with device protector 200.

Example materials for the composition of tray 204 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride or any other suitable thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments, tray 204 may be configured having one or more divisions to separate each portion by storing the one or more permeable applicators 202.

Figure 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of a device protector. In this embodiment, a waterproof container 300 and a permeable applicator 302 may be located within a sterile, disposable package 304. As shown in Figure 3, the waterproof container 300 (shown in both tray 204 and bell 306 of the stethoscope 308) and permeable applicator 302 may be located on tray 204 inside the sterilized package

304. By opening the sterilized package 304, the user can remove the tray 204 and use the permeable applicator 302 that is impregnated with an antimicrobial or antiseptic composition to disinfect any part of the portable medical device, such as the stethoscope 308 illustrated in Figure 3. After disinfecting the portable medical device with the applicator, the user can then place the portable medical device or any portion thereof, inside the waterproof container 300 to protect it from contamination. For example, as illustrated in Figure 3, the waterproof container 300 could protect the hood 306 of the stethoscope 308 from coming into contact with one or more contaminants when the user places the hood in a pocket, bag or the like.

In some embodiments, the applicator located within the impermeable container or in a tray in the sterilized package may be an applicator having an impermeable layer attached to a permeable, absorbent and / or absorbent lower layer, thus preventing an agent Infectious existing in the user's hand be transferred to the permeable bottom layer and the portable medical device.

Sample Process

Figure 4 illustrates an example process 400 for performing the techniques described above to operate an example protective device. Process 400 is illustrated as a logic flow chart. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any quantity of the operations described can be combined in any order and / or in parallel to implement the process.

In operation 402, a device protector can be identified for use with a portable medical device. In the context of Figure 3, if a user is moving from room to room in a hospital using a stethoscope, the user can identify a device protector for use with the stethoscope or stethoscope bell.

In operation 404, a waterproof receptacle that can be sealed or re-sealed from the device protector can be opened. In the context of Figure 1, a user can open the waterproof container by separating the closing mechanism 104 shown as a zipper closing mechanism.

In operation 406, the permeable applicator carrying an antimicrobial or antiseptic agent can be removed from the impermeable receptacle. Again in the context of Figure 1, the permeable applicator 108 can be removable from the impermeable container 102.

In operation 408, the permeable applicator can be applied to at least a portion of the portable medical device. For example, the permeable applicator can be used to scrub or carve a complete stethoscope or any portion of the stethoscope (for example, a bell).

In operation 410, at least a portion of the portable medical device may be placed inside the waterproof receptacle of the device protector. In the context of Figure 3, the bell 306 of the stethoscope 308 can be placed inside the waterproof container 300.

Finally, in operation 412, the waterproof receptacle can be sealed so that it can be removed around the inserted portion of the portable medical device. For example, the waterproof receptacle can be sealed by any of the mechanisms described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

conclusion

Although the present description describes the modalities that have structural characteristics and / or specific methodological actions, it will be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific characteristics or actions described. Instead, the specific characteristics and actions are only illustrative of some modalities that are within the scope of the claims of the present description.