Abstract:
A device for disinfecting a head of a stethoscope has a receiver adapted to hold a supply of disinfecting agent. A dispenser that is mounted to reciprocate relative to the receiver has a receptacle for receiving the head of the stethoscope. The dispenser can communicate with the supply of disinfecting agent and deliver its disinfecting agent to the receptacle. By pressing the head of the stethoscope against the dispenser, disinfecting agent will pass from the receiver through the dispenser and onto the head of the stethoscope.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to stethoscopes, and in particular, to devices and methods for disinfecting them. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Stethoscopes are used by medical professionals to hear faint sounds inside a patient&#39;s body cavity; for example, a heartbeat, breathing, and the like. Abnormalities in such sounds can reveal a disease. Stethoscopes are a traditional diagnostic instrument and have been used by medical personnel since the 19th century. 
     The head of a conventional stethoscope has an open bell on one side and on the other side a relatively wide and shallow chamber covered with a diaphragm. The side selected may be chosen based on the audio spectrum or other characteristics of the sound source. The stethoscope head communicates acoustically with a flexible tube that is joined through a Y union to a pair of tubes that connect to two earpieces in order to deliver binaural sound. The rims of the stethoscope&#39;s diaphragm and bell are typically circular, although in some cases a rim may be almond-shaped. 
     A risk of spreading infection with the stethoscope exists because of its routine use by professionals throughout the day on multiple patients. Nosocomial infections are a significant known cause of hospital morbidity and mortality. To prevent the spread of infection, some professionals will wipe the head of their stethoscope after each use with a pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Also, the depth of the bell on the head of the stethoscope makes effective wiping difficult. A simple and cost effective way to prevent these infections from spreading would be highly valuable to health care professionals and their patients. 
     One study recommends as effective cleaning solutions for stethoscopes 70% isopropyl alcohol or hypochlorous acid in solution. Africa-Purino, Edwin and Coronel, Stethoscopes: A Potential Source of Nosocomial Infections, The Philippine Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Vol 29, No. 1, Topic 2 (January-March 2000). This study found that stethoscopes could harbor Staphylococcus aureus and other harmful and potentially lethal bacteria. This study also found that only about X % of medical professionals actually wipe the stethoscope after each use. 
     See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,292,993; 3,342,544; 3,765,573; 3,943,951; 4,997,629; 5,074,322; 5,641,464; 6,018,835; 7,282,177; and 7,282,186, as well as US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0258560. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a device for disinfecting a head of a stethoscope. The device has a receiver adapted to hold a supply of disinfecting agent, and a dispenser. The dispenser is mounted to reciprocate relative to the receiver. The dispenser has a receptacle for receiving the head of the stethoscope. The dispenser is adapted to communicate with the supply of disinfecting agent and deliver its disinfecting agent to the receptacle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device is provided for disinfecting a head of a stethoscope. The device has a container containing a quantity of disinfecting agent. Also included is a dispenser that is reciprocatably mounted on the container. The dispenser has a converging receptacle for receiving the head of the stethoscope. The dispenser can communicate with the container in order to deliver its disinfecting agent to the receptacle in response to depression of the dispenser. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for disinfecting a head of a stethoscope with a dispenser and a receiver holding a supply of disinfecting agent. The method includes the step of pressing the head of the stethoscope against the dispenser to depress it. Another step is passing the disinfecting agent from the receiver through the dispenser and onto the head of the stethoscope. 
     By employing apparatus and methods of the foregoing type, improved hygiene can be achieved when using a stethoscope. In a disclosed embodiment a cylindrical holder holds a container filled with a disinfecting agent such as isopropyl alcohol. The container can be pressurized, in which case depression of a tubular valve stem will dispense the disinfecting agent. Alternatively, the container may have a pump mechanism, wherein reciprocation of a tubular stem will pump the disinfecting agent from the container. 
     A spray fitting can be placed on the container&#39;s tubular stem in order to connect to a dispenser. In the depicted embodiment the dispenser is a cylindrical component that is slidably mounted in the upper end of the holder. By depressing the dispenser, once or repeatedly, disinfecting agent can be delivered from the container to a funnel-shaped receptacle on the upper exposed end of the dispenser. Accordingly, a stethoscope head placed into the receptacle can be pressed to cause the disinfecting agent to be sprayed into the receptacle and against the stethoscope head. In some embodiments, an optional absorbent pad mounted on the side of the holder can be used to wipe excess disinfecting agent from the stethoscope head. 
     In some cases the device can be placed on a countertop. In one disclosed embodiment, the device can be held in a mounting fixture. The fixture has a rear wall that can be attached to a vertical surface. A horizontal platform projecting from the rear wall has a domed protrusion that can fit into a mating hole on the bottom of the holder holding the container with the disinfecting agent. The disclosed mounting fixture has on its rear wall a hook that can hook into a mating slot on the side of the holder. This mounting fixture has one or more sidewalls that can be fitted with a wiping pad for wiping excess disinfecting agent from the stethoscope head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view, partly in section, of a device in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing an optional mounting fixture; 
         FIG. 3  is a vertical sectional view of the tubular fitting  16  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a device that is an alternate to that of  FIG. 1  and modified to include a wiping pad; 
         FIG. 6  is vertical sectional view of the upper portion of a device that is an alternate to that shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of the lower portion of a device which is an alternate to that shown  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  together with a mounting fixture, which fixture is an alternate that shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a device for disinfecting the head of a stethoscope is shown as a hollow cylindrical holder  10  sized to hold a container  12  containing a supply of disinfecting agent. Holder  10  is also referred to as a receiver. Container  12  contains isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of 70% or greater, although other concentrations and other types of disinfecting agents are contemplated. For example, some embodiments may employ a solution of hypochlorous acid, or a solution of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate with 70% isopropyl alcohol (ChloraPrep™). 
     Container  12  has on top a tubular outlet  14  for delivering the container contents. In some embodiments outlet tube  14  may be part of a pump mechanism wherein reciprocation of tube  14  pumps out the disinfecting agent inside container  12  for delivery through the output tube. In some embodiments, container  12  may be pressurized with a gaseous propellant or otherwise, and outlet tube  14  may be part of a dispensing valve. In this case depression of outlet tube  14  will operate said valve to allow a pressurized release of the disinfecting agent inside the container  12  through the outlet tube  14 . 
     The bottom of container  12  is shown fitted into a cylindrical socket  10 A and the upper end of the container is surrounded by annular ridge  10 B inside holder  10 . In some embodiments socket  10 A will be eliminated and the floor of holder  10  will be a simple flat surface. In any event, there is clearance between the side of container  12  and the inside of holder  10 , which holder effectively forms a cylindrical sleeve around container  12 . 
     Cylindrical port  16 A of flanged tubular fitting  16  is pressed onto outlet tube  14  to communicate with passage  16 B, which passage acts as a spray nozzle. Spray fitting  16 , including its flange  16 A is shown inside a matching cavity  18 A of dispenser  18 . Dispenser  18  is slidably fitted in the upper open end of holder  10  and rests upon helical compression spring  20 . Spring  20  has an upper end mounted in annular groove  18 B on the underside of dispenser  18  and a lower end mounted over the upper bead  12 A of container  12 . Being mounted in this fashion between dispenser  18  and container  12 , spring  20  can upwardly urge dispenser  18 . Dispenser  18  can be vertically lifted and removed by grasping it through a pair of diametrically opposed finger notches  10 C on the upper rim of holder  10 . 
     The upper, exposed end of dispenser  18  has a funnel-shaped, converging receptacle  18 D communicating through a narrow mouth  18 C to cavity  18 A holding the fitting  16 . In  FIG. 4  the open bell S 1  of stethoscope head S (illustrated in phantom) is shown pressed into receptacle  18 D. While receptacle  18 D is conical in this embodiment, in other embodiments the receptacle may be ellipsoidal, hemispherical, or have other cup shapes. While the surface of the receptacle  18 D would usually be a surface of revolution, in some embodiments this surface may be axially asymmetric in order to accommodate a stethoscope head having an almond-shaped periphery. 
     Holder  10  has an optional, vertically oriented, side slot  10 D sized to fit over L-shaped hook  24  on the outer face of mounting wall  22 A of mounting fixture  22 . A pair of holes  26  above and below hook  24  can be used to attach fixture  22  to a wall, although in some embodiments the fixture may be secured adhesively or by other means. Back wall  22 A has a generally rectangular shape with rounded upper corners and has an opposite pair of flanges  22 C projecting laterally from the lower four fifths of wall  22 A. An opposing pair of sidewalls  22 B project perpendicularly from wall  22 A and are coterminous with the inside edges of flanges  22 C. Platform  22 D perpendicularly projects from back wall  22 A and spans sidewalls  22 B, slightly above the lower edges of the sidewalls. Dome-shaped protrusion  28  on platform  22 D is sized to fit into a mating hole  10 E in holder  10 . 
     Mounted on the outside of sidewalls  22 B are a pair of wiping pads  30  made of cloth, felt, absorbent paper or other absorbent material. Pads  30  are replaceable and can be attached by adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, or other means. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , previously mentioned holder  10  was modified to include on its side a raised platform  36 . Wiping pad  38  is mounted on the outside of platform  36 . It will be appreciated that in some embodiments holder  10  will not have a separate platform, in which case wiping pad  38  may be mounted directly on the side of the holder. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , components corresponding to those previously illustrated in  FIG. 1  bear the same reference numeral but increased by 100. Dispenser  118  is as before, but has an opposing pair of diametrically aligned pins  32  projecting into an opposing pair of slots  34  in holder  110 . Accordingly, dispenser  118  can vertically reciprocate in holder  110  over a distance constrained by the length of slots  34 . The wider side S 2  of previously mentioned stethoscope head S (shown in phantom) has its diaphragm pressed against receptacle  118 D in this view. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , holder  210  is constructed in a manner similar to the previously mentioned holder (holder  10  of  FIG. 1 ), but here its bottom is open to receive previously mentioned container  12 . The bottom of holder  210  can be closed with bottom closure  40 . Closure  40  has a reduced diameter neck  40 A with a diametrically opposing pair of stubs  40 B designed to slide into an opposing pair of L-shaped grooves  41  on the inside of holder  210 , thereby providing a bayonet coupling. Bottom closure  40  may be incorporated as a convenience feature, although for the embodiment of  FIG. 5  closure  40  is greatly convenient since removal of dispenser  118  is difficult. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , previously mentioned device  10 / 18  is shown about to be mounted on to an alternate mounting fixture  322 . Components of fixture  322  corresponding to that previously described in connection with  FIG. 2  bear the same reference numeral but increased by 300. As before, fixture  322  has a rear mounting wall  322 A and a platform  322 D with a domed protrusion  328 . In this case however, fixture  322  only has a single right sidewall  322 B. 
     A thin plastic panel  42  has curled edges  42 A that slip over the top and bottom edges of sidewall  322 B. Wiping pad  330  is permanently affixed to the outside of panel  42 . As before, holder  10  can be mounted in fixture  322  by placing its hole  10 E over protrusion  328  and slipping its slot  10 D onto hook  324 . 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . It will be appreciated that the other illustrated embodiments operate in a similar manner. 
     Device  10 / 18  will often be supplied empty, that is, without container  12 . Accordingly, dispenser  18  may be grasped through finger slots  10 C and removed together with spring  20 . Container  12  may be supplied with fitting  16  pre-installed, although in some cases a reusable fitting can be placed on tube  14  of container  12 . Container  12  is then inserted into holder  10  through ridge  10 B and into socket  10 A. Thereafter, spring  20  can be placed atop container  12  before placing dispenser  18  back into holder  10 , allowing the upper end of spring  22  to fall into annular slot  18 B. 
     In some cases an absorbent wiping pad (not shown) may be adhesively attached to the side of holder  10  (for  FIG. 6  pad  38  may be placed on platform  36 ). However, in this instance a wiping pad is not placed on the holder since mounting fixture  22  has such a wiping pad  30 . 
     Mounting fixture  22  may be mounted on the wall of various rooms in a hospital, doctor&#39;s office, clinic, or other such facilities. Fixture  22  may be installed with adhesives or by driving screws, nails of other fasteners through holes  26  (fixture  322  of  FIG. 8  can be installed in a similar manner). It is expected that such mounting fixtures will be installed in multiple rooms, bedsides, and wherever one might expect to use a stethoscope. In some cases more than one mounting fixture  22  may be installed in a single room. 
     Each mounting fixture  22  will be supplied with its own device  10 / 18  with an internal container  12 . Device  10 / 18  will be placed on the mounting fixture  22  by placing slot  10 D over hook  24 , simultaneously placing hole  10 E over protrusion  28 . It will be appreciated that fixture  22  might not be employed in some locations. In that case device  10 / 18  will simply be placed on a table or other convenient location. 
     A medical professional may now use stethoscope head S in the usual manner, typically by placing the stethoscope head against the patient&#39;s chest, back, neck, or other site. Stethoscope head S need not be covered with a bacteriostatic sleeve and therefore acoustic efficiency is not impaired. 
     When the examination of the patient is completed, the medical professional may place the stethoscope head S into receptacle  18 D, with either the open bell S 1  or the diaphragm S 2  down, as applicable. It will be appreciated that holder  10  need not be removed from mounting fixture  22 , although the holder can be removed and relocated in cases where a medical professional wishes to have the holder nearby. Such convenience may be desired where a series of patients will be seen at a single location that is not near to a mounting fixture  22 . 
     Head S is then depressed, causing depression of dispenser  18 , fitting  16 , and tube  14 . In the case where container  12  is pressurized, disinfecting agent will be propelled through tube  14  and sprayed by fitting  16  into receptacle  18 D and against stethoscope head S. In the case where tube  14  is part of a pump mechanism, stethoscope head S will be pressed down rhythmically to reciprocate dispenser  18  together with fitting  16  and tube  14 . Consequently, disinfecting agent will be pumped through tube  14  and sprayed through fitting  16  into receptacle  18 D against stethoscope head S. 
     If a wiping pad was placed on holder  10 , the user may now wipe stethoscope head S on that pad to remove excess disinfecting agent. In this case, however, the user will wipe stethoscope head S against either one of the pads  30  on mounting fixture  22 . Flanges  22 C will shield the underlying wall from marks or stains that might be caused by the stethoscope banging against the wall or by disinfecting agent being accidentally wiped or splashed onto the wall. 
     This process may be repeated until container  12  is exhausted. Thereafter, dispenser  18  may be grasped through finger notches  10 C and withdrawn together with spring  20 . Container  12  is then removed and discarded before a replacement container is installed in holder  10 . In this case container  12  will be supplied with a new spray fitting  16 . Next, spring  20  and dispenser  18  is reinstalled in the manner previously described. For the embodiment of  FIG. 7  container  12  may be replaced by turning closure  40  so that studs  40 B slide into the corner of grooves  41  before being pulled away (standard bayonet connection). Then a new container  12  (with a new spray fitting  16 ) can be installed in holder  210  before placing neck  40 A back into holder  210  in order to slide stubs  40 B through grooves  41  to lock closure  40  into place. 
     Pads  30  on mounting fixture  22  may be replaced as they become worn or soiled. For example, pads  30  may be peeled away from walls  22 B before being replaced with new pads  30 , which may be installed using an adhesive backing on the pad. This adhesive backing may be initially shielded by a removable paper covering. For the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the old pad  330  may be removed by sliding panel  42  off wall  322 B before installing a replacement pad  330  by sliding curled edges  42 A over the top and bottom edges of wall  322 B. 
     It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described embodiments. For example, container  12  may be fitted with a dispenser  18  without using holder  10  (in which case the container is itself a receiver). Instead of using a hook and lower protrusion, other mounting fixtures may hold the receiver using a cavity, closely fitting sidewalls, dovetail connections, a clip, or other means. Also, access to the container may be through a threaded lid or threaded bottom closure. Alternatively, the holder may be two pieces that are threaded together to hold the container. In some cases, the holder may have flanges or other means for directly mounting the holder to a vertical surface. In some cases the container&#39;s outlet stem will have enough strength so that the spring supporting the dispenser can be eliminated. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.