Abstract:
The present invention discloses a protective instrument cover broadly comprising a continuous wall and having a closed distal end and an open proximal end. A sealing means is operatively attached to said continuous wall. In one embodiment, the continuous wall includes a reservoir that fits over a protruding knob to both cover the knob and allow hand operation of the knob. The present invention also comprises a combination of an instrument and a protective cover.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to protective coverings for devices, specifically to covers that are adapted to fit over different devices and prevent the spread of infection from infectious microbes located on a device to a device user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hospitals and similar medical facilities, such as clinics, infirmaries and even occasionally private physician&#39;s offices, are notorious as sources of microbial infection. Despite the establishment of sterile fields in operating rooms and strict sanitation procedures throughout medical facilities, secondary infection of patients is endemic in medical facilities that manage and treat large numbers of patients. 
     Sources of infection in medical facilities can extend outside the typical treatment areas into patient care areas such as private and semi-private residential rooms, wards, and even lounges. These latter locations are typically furnished with convenience—oriented items such as telephones, bed controllers, and television remote control devices. These items are equipped with control knobs, push buttons, cords or cables, and orifices leading to earpieces and speakers to allow for telephone conversations and listening to televisions and radio broadcasts. Furthermore, these devices often have a multi-part body which is used to house electronic or other components. Consequently, the smooth contours of the bodies of these devices are marred by holes, grooves, niches, indentations, vents, and similar features that are usually small, narrow, and difficult to thoroughly clean. 
     In addition, cut backs in hospital funding often lead to reductions in staff, especially in maintenance and housekeeping personnel who are charged with sanitation and cleaning throughout a medical facility, including patient care areas. Such reductions in personnel mean that fewer people are available to do the same amount of work meaning that often noncritical areas may not be cleaned as carefully as necessary. As a result, microbes are allowed to flourish outside critical care areas leading to enhanced exposure of patient and staff to primary or secondary infection. Patients, who are often in a weakened condition when in a hospital type facility, are especially susceptible to these types of infections. 
     One method of reducing the probability of infection from these devices is to cover or wrap the devices with sanitary or sterile coverings to contain the microbes already present on or within a particular device and prevent them from contacting a patient or other person who may handle that device. One group of such “containment” coverings is designed for use in surgical procedures to preserve the sterile field in an operating room. Typical of this group is U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,188 issued in 1998 to Adair. The &#39;188 patent discloses a sterile encapsulated endoscopic video monitor cover designed to provide a nonsterile cover for a endoscope video monitor to allow the monitor to be placed into a sterile field without introducing possible infectious microbes. The &#39;188 device comprises a rigid or flexible enclosure that is either transparent or has a transparent window positioned over a video monitor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,045, issued in 1998 to Adair discloses a device configured to cover a nonsterile camera for use in the sterile environment in an operating room. U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,196, issued in 1985 to Cunningham, et al. discloses a sterile covering for a surgical camera comprising an annular ring attached to a containment cover that enables the attachment of a nonsterile camera to a sterile endoscope. U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,657, issued 1994 to Lafferty, et al. discloses a sleeve for maintaining sterility of a arthroscopic procedure by covering the cable of an endoscope cable extending from the sterile field to a nonsterile TV monitor. Similar to the &#39;196 device, it comprises an annular ring that attaches the sleeve to the arthroscope. One drawback of these devices is that they generally lack the flexibility to be used with a variety of different devices. In addition, they do not enclose any part of any cords or cables that extend from the instrument out of the sterile field or any cable or cord outlets. Finally, these and similar devices often require a careful manipulation to attach and/or cover the nonsterile instrument or device which requires the use of trained personnel. 
     A second group of containment coverings includes covers that can be quickly placed over devices more typically used in every day situations. An example is found in United States Patent Application No. 2003/0012371 to Weinsock, et al. disclosing a cover for a telephone receiver. Although designed to enclose a phone, the &#39;371 device comprises an open net type configuration over the ear and mouth microphones and an open area in the handle portion of the sock through which the phone is inserted. U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,778, issued in 1990 to Tomberlin, discloses a sleeve that encloses a telephone cord primarily designed to prevent the cord from becoming entangled with itself. U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,335, issued in 2003 to Zohn, et al. discloses a cover designed to fit over the earpiece and/or mouth piece of a telephone. In other embodiments, pieces can be formed from templates to enclose a phone or other device. These and similar devices posses the drawback of either not enclosing an entire device or, as in the case of some of the &#39;335 embodiments, require adhesives and a significant amount of time to properly enclose the target device. 
     What is need then is protective covering that is quick and easy to use, disposable, does not require trained personnel to use, covers the part of a cord or cable extending from a device as well as the cord or cable outlet, and possesses the flexibility to be used with a variety of different devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention broadly comprises a protective instrument cover comprising a tube having a continuous wall, an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a sealing means operatively associated with the tube. In a second embodiment, the present invention broadly comprises a protective instrument cover having a tube including a continuous wall, an open proximal end, a closed distal end, a reservoir formed in the continuous wall, and a sealing means operatively associated with the tube. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a device cover that forms a barrier between infectious microbes and a patient or device user. 
     A second object of the invention is to provide a device cover that prevents infectious microbes from spreading from a device to a user such as a patient. 
     A third object of the invention is to provide a device cover that prevents infectious microbes from spreading from a patient to a device such as a telephone. 
     An additional object of the invention is to make available a device cover that is easy and simple to place over a device. 
     A second additional object of the invention is to supply a device that reduces the transmission of infectious microbes via device cords, such as telephone cords. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a device cover that is easily cleaned. 
     A still further object of the invention is to make available a device cover that is disposable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The nature and mode of the operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing Figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the present invention in a ready configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the present invention as it is being placed over a device; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the present invention enclosing a device; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the present invention enclosing a cordless device; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the present invention utilizing an alternate sealing system; 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the instant invention depicting the closure of the alternate sealing system shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a second alternate sealing system utilizing tape; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a third alternate sealing system utilizing string; 
         FIG. 6C  depicts a further alternate sealing system utilizing a twist tie; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the instant invention demonstrating a reservoir incorporated into the continuous wall of the disposable cover to enclose a protrusion extending from top of the covered device; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the reservoir shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the disposable cover of the instant invention demonstrating a reservoir incorporated into the continuous wall of the disposable cover to enclose a protrusion extending from the side of the device; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the reservoir shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the reservoir of the instant invention shown covering an alternate type of protrusion extending from the side of the device; and, 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the device and disposable cover shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. 
     While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
     Adverting to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of disposable cover  10  (cover  10 ) in a preferred ready configuration. Cover  10  can be used to cover various devices to prevent the spread of infection to and from a device or instrument to a user. Cover  10  is a tube having a continuous wall  12  and with an open proximal end  13  and a closed distal end  14 . In one package form depicted in  FIG. 1 , wall  12  is rolled upon itself in an outward direction to produce a toroid shape with wall  12  surrounding distal end  14 . In  FIG. 1 , device  15  is typical of instruments, implements, and other items that can be protected with cover  10 . Examples of instruments or devices that can be protected by cover  10  include, but are not limited to, telephones, television remote controls, and hospital bed controllers. Device  15  can be seen comprising earpiece  17  and speaker  16 . Speaker holes  16   a  and earpiece holes  17   a , used to aid in sound transmission, and cord outlet  19  are typical of the type of crevice or cranny in which infectious microbes may be found. In addition, infectious microbes may be found in the interior of device  15 . Cord  18  extends from cord outlet  19  on device  15 . Cord  18  may be a telephone cord extending to a phone jack, a cable connected to a television from a remote controller, a power supply cord or other cord having a similar control- or power-supplying function. In one embodiment, pull tie  20  is provided to close cover  10  after it is placed over device  15 . In an alternate package form, cover  10  may be folded for packaging into a box or carton from which it may be extracted and fitted over a device. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of disposable cover  10  as it is being placed over device  15 . As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , cover  10  is placed over device  15  such that distal end  14  is placed over the end proximate earpiece  17  opposite from cord  18 . Continuous wall  12  is gradually unrolled to extend over the length of device  15 . As wall  12  is extended, open proximate end  13  travels with the unrolled edge of wall  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of cover  10  enclosing device  15 . Pull tie  20  surrounds wall  12  of cover  10  near open proximal end  13  to enclose device  15  including part of cord  18  extending from cord outlet  19 . By extending cover  10  over cord  18  as well as enclosing device  15 , a user is protected from contact from pathogens located in or on device  10  as well as on cord  18  and/or in cord outlet  19  from which cord  18  extends. 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of disposable cover  10  enclosing a device  22  in which pull tie  20  closes open proximal end  13  to create a substantially complete enclosure around device  22 . Device  22  is depicted as a cordless device, such as a television remote control. Controls  23  and  24  and keypad  25  are shown as comprising crevices  23   a ,  24   a , and  25   a , respectively, all of which are typical microbial breeding areas that are difficult to access during cleaning to eliminate infectious microbes. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of disposable cover  10  utilizing a different sealing system  34 . Device  18  is shown with cord  28  emerging from cord outlet  29 . Adhesive band  34  is integral with cover  10  meaning that it is attached to or is incorporated into the structure of cover  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , adhesive band  34  is located around the periphery of open proximal end  13  through which cord  29  extends. In a preferred embodiment, sealing system  34  is covered by peel-off cover  28  to prevent the adhesive band  34  from becoming affixed to an object or to itself before it is needed by the user. In an alternate embodiment, seen in  FIG. 6A , a tape  34 A may be attached to wall  12  at or near open proximal end  13 . In a second alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6B , a string  34 B may be attached or integrated into cover  18  at or near open proximal end  13 . In an additional alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 6C , twist tie  34 C may be attached or integrated into cover  18  at or near open proximal end  13 . Both the tape and string will have sufficient length to form a seal to close proximal end  13  as well as any cord that may be extending from device such as is seen in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  is the same top perspective view as shown in  FIG. 5  depicting device  22  enclosed at proximal end  13  by forcing sealing system  34  on itself. 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the instant invention in which disposable cover  30  incorporates reservoir  46  into continuous wall  32 . Reservoir  46  is seen covering control  48 , a control knob protruding from the top surface of device  42 . The incorporation of reservoir  46  into continuous wall  32  allows for a sufficient volume of material to cover protruding control  48  without breaking the integrity of cover  30 . In a preferred embodiment, reservoir  46  will be of sufficient size to allow the manipulation of control  48  without tearing, ripping or otherwise destroying the integrity of cover  30 .  FIG. 8  is side view of cover  30  seen in  FIG. 7 . Reservoir  48  is seen covering control  46 . In addition, cover  30  is enclosing device  42  to prevent the transmission to the external environment of microbes that may be resident on or within device  42 , including to any user of device  42 . 
     Similarly, cover  30  prevents the transmission of infectious microbes from a user, such as a patient, to device  42 , from which the microbes may be transmitted to a second user or other person such as cleaning or maintenance personnel. In particular, it can be seen that cord  50  and cord outlet  51 , from which cord  50  extends, are enclosed by sealing system  38  to prevent transmission of microbes away from device  42  via cord  50 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of cover  30  in which reservoir  46  is seen covering control  49  extending from the sidewall of device  42 . Again, as discussed above, incorporation of reservoir  46  into continuous wall  32  allows for a sufficient volume of material to cover protruding control  49  without breaking the integrity of cover  30 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of cover  30  seen in  FIG. 9 . Reservoir  48  is seen covering control  49 . In addition, cover  30  encloses device  42  to prevent the transmission to the external environment of microbes that may be resident on or within device  42 , including any user of device  42 . In particular, it can be seen that cord  50  and cord outlet  51 , from which cord  50  extends, are enclosed to prevent transmission of microbes away from device  42  via cord  50 . This closure is effected by sealing adhesive strip  36  around cord  50  in such a manner as to enclose cord outlet  51  and the portion of cord  50  proximate to cord outlet  51 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  depict top perspective and side views, respectively, of cover  30  with continuous wall  32  incorporating reservoir  48  such that reservoir  48  encloses thumbwheel  52 . Again, reservoir  48  is large enough to allow manipulation of thumbwheel  52  without breaking the integrity of reservoir  48 . 
     Disposable cover  10  is preferably fabricated from elastomeric material that allows cover  10  fit over devices with varied types of configurations. Methods of making disposable cover  10  include, but are not limited to, dip molding in which a mold of cover  10  is dipped into a vat or container of the liquid elastomer and allowed to set into the final form. A second method is radio frequency sealing of seams in elastomeric material formed into a tube in which the radio frequency sealing creates a seamless continuous tube configuration. 
     A more preferred elastomeric material is polyurethane or other elastomer that is resistant to typical cleaning solvents and solutions used in a hospital or other medical facility setting. By using the method of unrolling wall  12  over a device, a user is able to fit cover  10  over a device quickly without the need for specific training. 
     Thus it is seen that the objects of the invention are efficiently obtained, although changes and modifications to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which changes would not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.