Stethoscope cleansing device and method

• Main Authors: BRIGGS, III; STEPHEN W, CALEBAUGH; JOHN D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.06.1997
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, ORSURGICAL ARTICLES; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; DIAGNOSIS; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION, OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS, OR SURGICALARTICLES; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS INGENERAL; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; STORING; SURGERY; TRANSPORTING

The improved device is used in the present method for cleansing the head of a stethoscope with an antimicrobial spray liquid. The device includes a housing which defines a generally central cavity in which an aerosol spray cannister is releasably disposed in a bracket. The housing is closed but is openable in order to replace the cannister, as needed. The housing includes an openable port, such as an elastomeric iris, through which the head of a stethoscope, in accordance with the present method, is inserted for cleansing in the cavity. The cannister has a spray nozzle which is activatable by a trigger in the form of a lever secured in the cavity and extending out of the housing. The lever is disposed above the nozzle and can be manually moved from outside the housing to depress the nozzle and cause antimicrobial spray to be aerosol dispensed from the cannister in a path in the cavity which the stethoscope head intersects. The housing cavity can include a drip plate and one or more baffles to prevent the spray from exiting through the stethoscope port and to direct the spray to a drain area in the housing. The device can be suspended from a wall by screws or the like. After the stethoscope head is sprayed in the cavity, it is withdrawn therefrom and wiped free of spray with a clean cloth or the like. The device and method are simple, efficient and inexpensive.