Handheld medical device sanitization workstation and method of using the same

Abstract

A workstation for sanitization of a handheld medical device includes a fluid reservoir, a pump, and a plurality of dispensing nozzles which present sanitization fluid to a handheld medical device. The plurality of dispensing nozzles are in fluidic communication with the pump so as to maximize the volume and dispense rate presented to a handheld medical device to achieve effective sanitization.

Description

HANDHELD MEDICAL DEVICE SANITIZATION WORKSTATION AND METHODOF USING THE SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty patent application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 529,215, filed on July 27, 2023, entitled HANDHELD MEDICAL DEVICE SANTITIZATION WORKSTATION AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to the field of sanitization of medical devices. In particular, this invention relates to a system and method for performing sanitization of stethoscopes and / or other handheld medical devices.BACKGROUND

[0003] Handheld medical devices which are used in daily clinical practice are known to harbor numerous disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Clinical studies have isolated resistant organisms on stethoscopes, including staphylococcus (MRSA) and streptococcus species, as well as viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses. These organisms in turn pose a considerable risk to exposed patients. Without proper disinfection techniques, the stethoscope can serve as a vector of transmission for these organisms from one patient to another, resulting in nosocomial diseases.

[0004] During pandemics, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are known to reduce the rate and extent of pandemic diseases. Traditional NPIs include hand washing and sanitization. Additional NPI methods, including sanitization of handheld medical devices, may therefore be effective at reducing pandemic diseases.

[0005] Standard handheld medical device cleaning techniques have been shown to reduce the burden of pathogens on the stethoscope membrane. However, routine stethoscope disinfection is commonly overlooked by health care personnel. Several hospital surveyshave shown that as many as 80% of medical providers fail to consistently clean their stethoscope between patients as is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Medical Association. Current practice is to locate sanitation wipes, which are not readily available, or to manually apply hand sanitizer solution directly to the stethoscope. Neither of these techniques has prompted compliance with cleaning, as few health care workers employ these methods routinely or effectively.

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a fast and convenient system for sanitizing handheld medical devices in order to improve physician compliance and improve patient outcomes in clinical settings.SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure is related to a handheld medical device sanitization station allowing for rapid and efficient sanitization in a clinical setting.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a device for sanitizing handheld medical devices has a housing. Mounted within the housing are a medical device receptacle, at least one spray nozzle in fluid communication with the interior of the medical device receptacle. The housing also has a medical device sanitizing agent reservoir that is adapted to contain medical device sanitizing fluid. The medical device sanitizing agent reservoir is in fluid communication with the spray nozzles. The device also has at least one pump connected to the medical device sanitizing agent reservoir. A user actuated member on the housing is configured to actuate the pumps, causing the sanitizing fluid to be expelled though the spray nozzles and into the medical device receptacle.

[0009] In some embodiments the device also has a back bar within the housing that is hingedly connected to the housing. The back bar is in mechanical connection with the user actuated member. The device may also have a pump bock. The back bar engages the pump block, and the pump block then depresses at least one spring in the pump. The spring then decompresses and returns the pump to its original position.

[0010] In some embodiments the device has a drive block and one or more springs positioned below the drive block. The drive block compresses the springs when the user actuated member is actuated. The compressed springs drive the pump block in a downward direction, causing the pump to actuate.

[0011] In some embodiments the device also has a spring block positioned below the springs and a slide block positioned between the spring block and the pump block. The slide block has one or more notches that mate with the housing.

[0012] In some embodiments the slide block translates horizontally and vertically to engage with the housing.

[0013] In some embodiments the user actuated member automatically returns to a rest state after actuation. Upon the user actuated member returning to a rest state, the pump is primed for subsequent use.

[0014] In some embodiments the device has an optical and / or proximity sensor positioned within the medical device receptacle. The sensor detects the presence of a medical device.

[0015] In some embodiments the device has a wicking member that absorbs excess sanitizing fluid.

[0016] In some embodiments the user actuated member is a lever.

[0017] In some embodiments the user actuated member is a button.

[0018] In some embodiments the device has an electric motor in mechanical connection with the pump.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the device has a housing and a medical device receptacle positioned within the housing. The device also has a medical device sanitizing agent reservoir containing medical device sanitizing fluid and in fluid communication with one or more spray nozzles. The device also has a hand sanitizing agent reservoir within the housing, and a hand sanitizing actuator mounted on the housing. The device also has at least one hand sanitizer dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the hand sanitizing agent reservoir.

[0020] In some embodiments, the device also has a drive block positioned above one or more springs. The drive block compresses the springs when the user actuated member is actuated. A pump block below the springs actuates at least one pump when the springs are compressed.

[0021] In some embodiments the device also has a spring block below the springs and a slide block between the spring block and the pump block. The slide block has one or more notches configured to mate with the housing.

[0022] In some embodiments the slide block translates vertically and horizontally to engage with the housing when the springs are compressed.

[0023] In some embodiments the user actuated member automatically returns to a rest state after actuation. After the user actuated member returns to a rest state, the pump is primed for subsequent use.

[0024] In some embodiments the medical device receptacle has an optical and / or proximity sensor that detects the presence of a medical device.

[0025] In some embodiments the device has an optical and / or proximity sensor positioned on the bottom of the device that detects the presence of a hand.

[0026] In an exemplary method, sanitizing a handheld medical device is achieved by placing a handheld medical device in a medical device receptacle and actuating a user actuated member. The user actuated member is configured to, upon actuation, actuate at least one pump, causing sanitizing fluid to be expelled from a medical device sanitizing agent reservoir, through at least one spray nozzle, and into the medical device receptacle.

[0027] In some methods, the user actuated member is further configured to actuate a drive block. The drive block compresses one or more springs positioned below the drive block. The compressed springs cause a spring block below the springs to translate downward. The spring block causes a slide block positioned below the spring block to translate downward. The slide block translates downward a pump block, which in turn actuates the pump.

[0028] In some methods the slide block translates horizontally and vertically to engage with the housing of the device.

[0029] In some methods, the user actuated member is released, returning the user actuated member, the drive block, the springs, the spring block, the pump block, and the pump to their original positions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an opened handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0033] Figure 3 is a cutaway front view of a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0034] Figures 4A-4B are cutaway views of the driving mechanisms for a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0035] Figure 5 is a cutaway view of a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0036] Figure 6 is a bottom view of a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0037] Figure 7 is a cutaway view of a hand sanitization portion of a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0038] Figure 8 is a front view of a handheld medical device sanitization station;

[0039] Figure 9 is a cutaway view of a handheld medical device sanitization station; and

[0040] Figure 10 is a front view of a handheld medical device sanitization station.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present disclosure describes a handheld medical device sanitization station that maximizes volume and dispense rate of sanitizer. The sanitization station can be wall- mounted in clinical settings for easy access and quick sanitation of handheld medical devices, but could also be tabletop mounted through use of suction cups or other securing means or mounted to a pole or stand.

[0042] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary handheld medical device sanitization station 100 as assembled and deployed in a clinical setting. The station 100 is preferably mounted on a wall in a hospital room, doctor’s office, or other clinical setting, but could be mounted on a table top surface or other flat surface, or to a pole or stand. A clinician can easily sanitize a handheld medical device, such as a stethoscope 110, by placing the portion of the device 110 to be cleaned into a receptacle 150 of the station 100 and pressing down on the lever 120. Pressing the lever 120 engages one or more pumps 190 to pump medical device sanitizing agent through one or more nozzles 210, 220 that spray sanitizing agent on the medical device 110.

[0043] The sanitizing agent is a volatile compound in some embodiments, allowing for the medical device 110 to dry quickly with minimal residue. In some embodiments, the volatile compound is selected from: isopropanol, ethanol, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, peroxyacetic acid, hypochlorous acid, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, ammonium carbonate,ammonium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof. The concentration of the sanitization agent can range from 5 to 95 wt.%, or from 5 to 95 vol. %. In some embodiments, the sanitization agent is selected from ethanol or isopropanol, and the concentration is from 65 to 95 vol. %. The inventors have recognized that because the sanitization fluid is best applied at high velocity, minimization of the sanitization fluid viscosity is ideal.

[0044] In some embodiments, the station 100 also has components for sanitizing a user’s hands. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the hand sanitizing portion of the station 100 is positioned below the medical device receptacle 150. A user presses on the hand sanitizer actuator 140 to dispense hand sanitizing solution, similar to a conventional hand sanitizer dispenser. The hand sanitizer reservoir 170 may be filled with conventional hand sanitizer or any other suitable cleaning agent. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, the station 100 may also have a refill window 160 showing the hand sanitizing solution reservoir 170 and medical device sanitizer reservoir 200 so a user can see when the reservoirs 170, 200 are running low on sanitizing agent.

[0045] The reservoirs 170, 200 are easily refillable. As shown in Figure 2, the front shell 130 is hingedly connected along the bottom edge of the station 100, though in some embodiments may be connected along a side edge of the station 100, allowing access to inside the station 100. Alternatively, the front shell 130 may be removable from the station 100. In addition to refilling the reservoirs 170, 200, easy access to the inside of the station 100 allows for easy repair of the station 100 in the case of malfunction. In some embodiments, the reservoirs 170, 200 may be fully replaceable, allowing for a quick replacement when contents are low.

[0046] Figure 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a sanitizing station 100 with the front shell 130 removed for clarity. The station 100 has two main functionalities: sanitizing medical devices and sanitizing hands. Hand sanitizing solution is stored in the hand sanitizer reservoir 170. Pressing on the hand sanitizer actuator 140 dispenses hand sanitizer similar to conventional hand sanitizing stations as is known in the art. The hand sanitizing solution reservoir 170 and hand sanitizer actuator 140 are shown in more detail in Figure 5.

[0047] Figure 6 depicts a bottom perspective view of the sanitizing station 100. Pressing the hand sanitizer actuator 140 dispenses hand sanitizer fluid into the same hand through the hand sanitizer dispenser nozzle 290 located at the bottom of the station 100 in someembodiments. While the hand sanitizing component is positioned below the device receptacle 150 in the exemplary embodiments, the hand sanitizing station may be positioned above the device receptacle 150, on an opposing face of the station 100, or any other suitable position.

[0048] Referring to Figure 3, the device receptacle 150 may have one or more spray nozzles 210, 220 positioned through or in aligned relation to apertures 211 and 213, respectively, formed through the upper and lower surfaces of receptable 150, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 150 has an upper nozzle 210 and a lower nozzle 220 that spray sanitizing solution simultaneously to sanitize the upper and lower sides of the medical device 110. In some embodiments, the receptacle 150 may have optical / proximity sensors 600 (as shown in Figure 10) that detect the presence of a medical device 110 within the receptacle 150 and automatically prompt the station 100 to spray sanitizing solution. The receptacle 150 may also have a door to prevent sprayed sanitizing solution from spreading outside of the station 100. In some embodiments, when sanitizing solution is sprayed on the device 110 the fluid can collect along a chamfer edge and either drip onto the floor or into a separate collection receptacle. The inventors have recognized that removal of excess sanitization fluid prevents the buildup of sanitization fluid and / or partially or fully treated pathogens at or near the site of the sanitization workstation. A wicking fabric or other absorbing material 215 may be positioned within receptacle 150 to prevent excess sanitizing liquid from dripping out of station 100 or otherwise undesirably leaking (shown in Figure 7).

[0049] Figures 4A-4B depict a cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of the station 100. Figure 4 A depicts the station 100 at a neutral position, with the lever 120 raised and the pumps 190 primed. Figure 4B depicts the station 100 with the lever 120 depressed and the nozzles 210, 220 dispensing sanitizing solution. For the sake of clarity, the front shell 130, the reservoir 200, and the receptacle 150 are not shown.

[0050] After a handheld medical device 110 is placed within the receptacle 150, a user presses down the lever 120. In exemplary embodiments, the lever 120 includes a vertically oriented arm 121 , the top end of which is connected to the front end of a back bar 280 by a pin 223, or other conventional fastener. Back bar 280 is pivotally connected to the station 100 by a pin 225 or other conventional pivot fastener. As the lever 120 is manually pushed verticallydownwardly, the back bar 280 will pivotally move and with a pin 224 engage a drive block 240 that is mounted on a pair of rods 227, 229 that are positioned in laterally spaced parallel relation to one another. In some embodiments, the back bar 280 engages the drive block 240 by a hinged link or other suitable means. The engagement and depression of back bar 280 with drive block 240 causes drive block 240 to ride along the rods 227, 229 in a vertically downward direction.

[0051] Upon movement, the drive block 240 compresses one or more springs 230, which in turn pushes a spring block 250 that is also mounted on rods 227, 229 downwards. The spring block 250 in turn pushes a slide block 260 downwards against a pump block 270. Unlike drive block 240 and spring block 250, which are mounted to rods 227, 229 solely for vertical movement along the rods, the slide block 260 is mounted to rods 227, 229 with a larger diameter recess (a recess that is of a larger diameter than the exterior diameter of rods 227, 229) that permits it to move both vertically and horizontally.

[0052] The slide block 260 is biased by a spring (not shown) between the slide block 260 and the spring block 250. It its initial position, the slide block 260 rests upon the protrusion 131 in the housing. This prevents the slide block 260 from translating downward unit the protrusion 122 on the lever 120 pushed the spring block 260 horizontally, aligning the notch 262 with the protrusion 131. After the notch 262 and protrusion 131 are aligned, the slide block 260 translates downward with increased preloaded force due to the compressed springs 230. This preload ensures that the subsequent downward motion of the pump block 270 is rapid enough to generate a consistent, fine spray of sanitizing agent.

[0053] By translating horizontally, the slide block 260 can achieve a latching effect during use. Latching is achieved as a protruding section 122 on the vertical arm 121 of the lever 120 pushes on an edge 261 of the slide block 260, moving the slide block 260 horizontally. A notch 262 in the slide block 260 engages with a protrusion 131 in the station 100, locking the slide block 260 in place.

[0054] While lever 120 continues to be moved downwardly, the slide block 260 continues to move downward against a pump block 270 that is mounted on rods 227, 229. As the pump block 270 is pushed downward by the slide block 260, the pump block 270 actuates one or more pumps 190 that are mounted within station 100 and which upon actuation will forcesanitizing solution through a series of tubes 180 towards and through the spray nozzles 210, 220 for dispensing.

[0055] After a user removes their hand from the lever 120, the springs 230 decompress and return to their neutral state. This returns the lever 120 to its initial position. As the lever 120 returns to its initial position, the drive block 240, spring block 250, slide block 260, and pump block 270 return to their initial positions due to internal springs (not shown) in the pumps 190 decompressing. This decompression forces the pump block 270, slide block 260, and spring block 250 to their original positions. A horizontally positioned spring not shown) between the spring block 250 and slide block 260 returns the slide block 260 to its original horizontal position.

[0056] As the pump plungers 300 decompress, the pumps 190 are primed for the next use. By prepriming the pumps 190 as the system 100 returns to its initial position, each use will result in the same pressure and volume of the spray. This allows for even and consistent sanitization of medical devices 110.

[0057] The use of the springs 230 and relative positioning of back bar 280, drive block 240, spring block 250 and slide block 260, meters the quantity of sanitizer expelled into receptacle 150, such that neither too much nor too little sanitizer is used.

[0058] In some embodiments, an electrical motor is used to actuate the pumps 190. Rather than, or in addition to, depressing a lever 120, a button 400 (shown in Figure 8) may be pressed or a sensor 600 may automatically detect the presence of a medical device 110 and initiate the system to dispense sanitizing solution by activating a motor 500 that actuates the back bar 220 (as shown in Figure 9).

[0059] The easy and convenient use of a station 100 that is self-priming and consistent will increase clinician compliance in sanitizing medical devices 110. This will result in better outcomes for patients as commonly used medical devices 110 will be a less likely vector for pathogens.

[0060] While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A device for sanitizing a handheld medical device, comprising: a. a housing; b. a medical device receptacle mounted within the housing; c. at least one spray nozzle contained within the housing and positioned in fluid communication with the interior of the medical device receptacle; d. a medical device sanitizing agent reservoir adapted to contain medical device sanitizing fluid and positioned in fluid communication with the at least one spray nozzle; e. at least one pump operably connected to the medical device sanitizing agent reservoir; and f. a user actuated member configured, adapted and / or structured to, upon actuation, actuate the at least one pump, whereby the at least one pump causes the sanitizing fluid to be expelled through the at least one spray nozzle and into the medical device receptacle.

2. The device as described in claim 1 , further comprising: a back bar positioned within the housing and hingedly connected to the housing, wherein the back bar is in mechanical connection with the user actuated member; a pump block; at least one spring positioned within the at least one pump; wherein the back bar is configured to, after actuation of the user actuated member, engage the pump block; wherein after the back bar engages the pump block, the pump block depresses the at least one pump; and wherein the at least one spring is configured to decompress and return the pump block to its original position.

3. The device as described in claim 1 , further comprising: a drive block; at least one spring positioned below the drive block, wherein the drive block is configured to compress the at least one spring when the user actuated member is actuated; and a pump block positioned below the at least one spring, wherein the pump block is configured to actuate the at least one pump when the at least one spring is compressed.

4. The device as described in claim 3, further comprising: a spring block positioned below the at least one spring; and a slide block comprising oat least one notch configured to mate with the housing, wherein the slide block is positioned between the spring block and the pump block.

5. The devices as described in claim 3, wherein the slide block is configured to translate horizontally and vertically, such that the slide block is configured to engage with the housing.

6. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the user actuated member automatically returns to a rest state after actuation, and upon the user actuated member returning to a rest state, the at least one pump is primed for subsequent use.

7. The device as described in claim 1 , further comprising: an optical and / or proximity sensor positioned within the medical device receptacle configured to detect presence of a medical device.

8. The device as described in claim 1 , further comprising: a wicking member capable of absorbing sanitizing fluid positioned within the housing.

9. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the user actuated member is a lever.

10. The device as described in claim 1 , wherein the user actuated member is a button.

11. The device as described in claim 10, further comprising: an electric motor in operable connection with the at least one pump.

12. The device as described in claim 3, further comprising at least one vertical rod mounted within the housing and being sized and shaped to allow mounting the drive block, the at least one spring, and the pump block, and wherein the at least one vertical rod is configured to allow the drive block, the at least one spring, and the pump block to translate vertically.

13. A device for sanitizing handheld medical devices, the system comprising: a. a housing; b. a medical device receptacle mounted within the housing; c. a medical device sanitizing agent reservoir adapted to contain medical device sanitizing fluid and positioned in fluid communication with at least one spray nozzle; d. a user actuated member configured, adapted and / or structured to, upon actuation, causes the sanitizing fluid to be expelled through the at least one spray nozzle and into the medical device receptacle e. a hand sanitizing agent reservoir contained within the housing; f. a hand sanitizing actuator mounted on the housing; and g. at least one hand sanitizer dispensing nozzle in fluid connection with the hand sanitizing agent reservoir.

14. The device as described in claim 13 further comprising: a drive block positioned above one or more springs, wherein the drive block is configured to compress the one or more springs when the user actuated member is actuated; and a pump block positioned below the one or more springs,wherein the pump block is configured to actuate at least one pump when the one or more springs are compressed.

15. The device as described in claim 14 further comprising: a spring block positioned below the one or more springs; and a slide block comprising one or more notches configured to mate with the housing, wherein the slide block is positioned between the spring block and the pump block.

16. The device as described in claim 15, wherein the slide block is configured to translate horizontally and vertically, such that the slide block is configured to engage with the housing upon compression of the one or more springs.

17. The device as described in claim 13, wherein the user actuated member automatically returns to a rest state after actuation, and upon the user actuated member returning to a rest state, at least one pump is primed for subsequent use.

18. The device as described in claim 13 further comprising: an optical and / or proximity sensor positioned within the medical device receptacle configured to detect the presence of a medical device.

19. The device as described in claim 13 further comprising: an optical and / or proximity sensor positioned on a bottom face of the housing configured to detect presence of a hand.

20. A method of sanitizing a handheld medical device, the method comprising: placing a handheld medical device within a medical device receptacle; and actuating a user actuated member, wherein the user actuated member is configured to, upon actuation, actuate at least one pump, whereby the at least one pump causes sanitizing fluid to be expelled from a medicaldevice sanitizing agent reservoir, through at least one spray nozzle, and into the medical device receptacle.

21. The method as described in claim 20, wherein the user actuated member is further configured to actuate a drive block; wherein the drive block is configured to compress one or more springs positioned below the drive block; wherein the one or more springs are configured to translate downwards a spring block positioned below the one or more springs; wherein the spring block is configured to translate downwards a slide block positioned below the spring block, wherein the slide block is configured to translate a pump block, and wherein the pump block is configured to actuate the at least one pump.

22. The method as described in claim 21, wherein the slide block is configured to translate horizontally and vertically, such that the slide block is configured to engage with a housing.

23. The method as described in claim 21, further comprising: releasing the user actuated member, wherein releasing the lever returns the user actuated member, drive block, one or more springs, spring block, slide block, pump block, and the at least one pump to their initial positions.

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