Ultrasound gel-treating stations, systems, and methods enable at least germicidal ultraviolet (“UV”)-light treatment of ultrasound gel. For example, an ultrasound gel-treating station can include a housing, a cavity within the housing, and one or more UV-light sources disposed in the cavity or the housing about the cavity. The cavity within the housing can be configured to hold one or more bottles of ultrasound gel. The one-or-more UV-light sources can be configured for irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel with germicidal radiation when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity. Heat dissipated by the one-or-more UV-light sources can warm the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasound gel-treating station can further include one or more heating elements disposed in the cavity or the housing about the cavity for warming the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound gel warmers exist, but existing ultrasound gel warmers can promote bacterial growth and, therefore, be a source of infection. As such, it is not advisable to use the existing ultrasound gel warmers in sterile procedures such as those for placing percutaneous catheters. Use of packets of sterile ultrasound gel, which packets can be warmed in ultrasound gel warmers configured therefor, offer a workaround for providing warm, sterile ultrasound gel for the foregoing sterile procedures, but the packets of sterile ultrasound gel are not as economical as bottles of ultrasound gel. That, and the packets of sterile ultrasound gel produce more waste than the bottles of ultrasound gel.

Disclosed herein are ultrasound gel-treating stations, systems, and methods that address the foregoing.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an ultrasound gel-treating station including, in some embodiments, a housing, a cavity within the housing, one or more heating elements disposed in the cavity or the housing about the cavity, and one or more ultraviolet (“UV”)-light sources disposed in the cavity or the housing. The cavity within the housing is configured to hold one or more bottles of ultrasound gel. The one-or-more heating elements are configured for warming the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity. The one-or-more UV-light sources are configured for irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel with germicidal radiation when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes a cover for covering the cavity when at least the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity and being warmed, irradiated, or both warmed and irradiated.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station is configured to stop irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the cavity is uncovered.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes a microcontroller configured for operating the ultrasound gel-treating station. The microcontroller is disposed within the housing with a sensor module including one or more sensors configured to sense conditions in the cavity for starting, stopping, or adjusting the one-or-more heating elements or the one-or-more UV-light sources.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller is further coupled to one or more visual indicators disposed in the housing for indicating when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are being warmed, irradiated, both warmed and irradiated, or subsequent thereto.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller is further coupled to a timer disposed in the housing for indicating when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel will be warm, disinfected, or both warmed and disinfected.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes an actuator disposed in the housing for lifting the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel at least partially out of the ultrasound gel-treating station.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station is integrated into a roll stand or cart.

Also disclosed herein is an ultrasound gel-treating station including, in some embodiments, a housing, a cavity within the housing, and one or more UV-light sources disposed in the cavity or the housing about the cavity. The cavity within the housing is configured to hold one or more bottles of ultrasound gel. The one-or-more UV-light sources are configured for irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel with germicidal radiation when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity.

In some embodiments, heat dissipated by the one-or-more UV-light sources warms the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes a cover for covering the cavity when at least the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity and being irradiated.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station is configured to stop irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the cavity is uncovered.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes a microcontroller configured for operating the ultrasound gel-treating station. The microcontroller is disposed within the housing with a sensor module including one or more sensors configured to sense conditions in the cavity for starting, stopping, or adjusting the one-or-more UV-light sources.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller is further coupled to one or more visual indicators disposed in the housing for indicating when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are being irradiated.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller is further coupled to a timer disposed in the housing for indicating when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel will be disinfected.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes an actuator disposed in the housing for lifting the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel at least partially out of the ultrasound gel-treating station.

Also disclosed herein is an ultrasound gel-treating system including, in some embodiments, one or more bottles of ultrasound gel and an ultrasound gel-treating station. Each bottle of the one-or-more bottles is formed of a pliable polymeric material sufficiently transparent to transmit UV light therethrough. The ultrasound gel-treating station includes a housing, a cavity within the housing, and one or more UV-light sources disposed in the cavity or the housing about the cavity. The cavity within the housing is configured to hold the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel. The one-or-more UV-light sources are configured for irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel with germicidal radiation when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes one or more heating elements disposed in the cavity or the housing about the cavity for warming the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity.

In some embodiments, heat dissipated by the one-or-more UV-light sources warms the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes a cover for covering the cavity when at least the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel are disposed in the cavity and being irradiated.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station is configured to stop irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel when the cavity is uncovered.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes a microcontroller configured for operating the ultrasound gel-treating station. The microcontroller is disposed within the housing with a sensor module including one or more sensors configured to sense conditions in the cavity for starting, stopping, or adjusting the one-or-more UV-light sources.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station further includes an actuator disposed in the housing for lifting the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel at least partially out of the ultrasound gel-treating station.

In some embodiments, the germicidal radiation is selected from broad spectrum UV-visible light, broad spectrum UV light, UVA light, UVB light, UVC light, blue light, and modulated light thereof, wherein the modulated light is modulated with respect to frequency, power, duration, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the polymeric material of which the one-or-more bottles are formed is selected from a polycarbonate, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyurethane, a poly (methyl methacrylate), a polyimide, a polyetherimide, and a cyclic olefin polymer, the polymeric material optionally including one or more comonomer residues, one or more plasticizers, or a combination thereof.

DESCRIPTION

Regarding terms used herein, it should also be understood the terms are for the purpose of describing some particular embodiments, and the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps in a group of features or steps, and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” features or steps need not necessarily appear in that order, and the particular embodiments including such features or steps need not necessarily be limited to the three features or steps. In addition, any of the foregoing features or steps can, in turn, further include one or more features or steps unless indicated otherwise. Labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. Singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As set forth above, ultrasound gel warmers exist, but existing ultrasound gel warmers can promote bacterial growth and, therefore, be a source of infection. As such, it is not advisable to use the existing ultrasound gel warmers in sterile procedures such as those for placing percutaneous catheters. Use of packets of sterile ultrasound gel, which packets can be warmed in ultrasound gel warmers configured therefor, offer a workaround for providing warm, sterile ultrasound gel for the foregoing sterile procedures, but the packets of sterile ultrasound gel are not as economical as bottles of ultrasound gel. That, and the packets of sterile ultrasound gel produce more waste than the bottles of ultrasound gel.

Disclosed herein are ultrasound gel-treating stations, systems, and methods that address the foregoing.

Ultrasound Gel-Treating Systems

FIGS.1-3illustrate an ultrasound gel-treating system100including an ultrasound gel-treating station102and one or more bottles of ultrasound gel104in accordance with some embodiments.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, the ultrasound gel-treating system100can include the ultrasound gel-treating station102, the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104, or both the ultrasound gel-treating station102and the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104. However, it should be understood that the ultrasound gel-treating system100is not limited thereto.

The ultrasound gel-treating station102includes a housing106, a cavity108within the housing106, and one or more UV-light sources110disposed in the cavity108or the housing106. Notably, the ultrasound gel-treating station102can be a stand-alone unit in which the housing106can be considered its body. In other embodiments, the ultrasound gel-treating station102is instead integrated into a roll stand or cart.

The housing106can include an external housing112and an internal housing114. At least a portion of the external housing112faces outward from the ultrasound gel-treating station102, and at least a portion of the internal housing114faces inward to the ultrasound gel-treating station102. While the external housing112and the internal housing114can be separate pieces coextensive with their namesakes, each portion of housing of the external housing112and the internal housing114can be independently formed of one or more pieces. Alternatively, the external housing112and the internal housing114are an integral piece, wherein access to an internal space between walls of the external housing112and the internal housing114is, for example, through a bottom of the housing106.

As shown inFIG.1, the external housing112can include a button interface116, one or more visual indicators118, a timer120, or a combination thereof. The button interface116can be disposed in the external housing112, and the button interface116can include one or more buttons122. The one-or-more visual indicators118can be integrated into the one-or-more buttons122, as shown, or the one-or-more visual indicators118can be disposed in the external housing112separate from the one-or-more buttons122. The timer120can be disposed in the external housing112proximal the button interface116such as above or below the button interface116, but the timer120need not be limited thereto.

The cavity108within the housing106, specifically, within the internal housing114, can be configured to hold the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104. Indeed, as shown inFIG.4, the cavity108can include a plurality of sleeves or silos formed from the internal housing114into which a plurality of the bottles of ultrasound gel104can be inserted. Such sleeves or silos can be advantageous in that any bottle of the plurality of bottles of ultrasound gel104used in a procedure can be returned to its sleeve or silo after the procedure without contaminating an adjacent bottle of the plurality of bottles of ultrasound gel104.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the ultrasound gel-treating station102can include a cover124for covering the cavity108when at least the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are disposed in the cavity108and being treated. Such a cover124can be a hinged lid, as shown, a retractable cover (e.g., a tambour door), a mechanical diaphragm (e.g., mechanical iris), or the like for covering the cavity108when at least the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are disposed in the cavity108and being irradiated, warmed, or both irradiated and warmed. Notably, for user protection, the ultrasound gel-treating station102is configured to stop irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104or the cavity108, itself, when the cavity108is uncovered such as by lifting the hinged lid, retracting the retractable cover, opening the mechanical diaphragm, or the like. However, the ultrasound gel-treating station102need not stop warming the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104or the cavity108, itself, when the cavity108is uncovered; that is, unless the warming is dependent upon the heat dissipated by the one-or-more UV-light sources110.

FIG.4illustrates irradiation of a bottle of ultrasound gel disposed in the cavity108of the ultrasound gel-treating station102in accordance with some embodiments.

As shown, the one-or-more UV-light sources110can be disposed in the cavity108, in the housing106, behind the housing106, or the like, optionally, in a combination thereof, for irradiating the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104with germicidal radiation when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are disposed in the cavity108. When the one-or-more UV-light sources110are disposed in the cavity108, the one-or-more UV-light sources110can be wholly disposed in the cavity108with corresponding electrical leads passing through through holes in the internal housing114as well as the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing114to the microcontroller128. When the one-or-more UV-light sources110are disposed in the housing106, the one-or-more UV-light sources110can be partially disposed in the cavity108(e.g., peaking into the cavity108) with a remainder of the one-or-more UV-light sources110disposed in the through holes of the internal housing114, the corresponding electrical leads passing through the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114to the microcontroller128. Lastly, when the one-or-more UV-light sources110are behind the housing106, the one-or-more UV-light sources110can be mounted in the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114such that the one-or-more UV-light sources110emit the germicidal radiation toward the cavity108, at least the internal housing114around the cavity108being a polymeric material sufficiently transparent to transmit UV light therethrough, optionally, a rigid formulation of the pliable polymeric material set forth below. As in other embodiments, the corresponding electrical leads of the one-or-more UV-light sources110pass through the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114to the microcontroller128.

The one-or-more UV-light sources110can be independently selected from a low-pressure mercury lamp, an excimer lamp, a pulsed xenon lamp, and a semiconductor light source, the semiconductor light source, in turn, selected from a light-emitting diode (“LED”), a laser, and a superluminescent diode (“SLD”), which SLD, notably, combines high-power and brightness characteristics of lasers with low-power characteristic of LEDs. By way of example,FIG.4shows a plurality of LEDs disposed in the internal housing114and emitting the germicidal radiation into the cavity108. Such germicidal radiation emitted by the one-or-more UV-light sources110can be selected from broad spectrum UV-visible light, broad spectrum UV light, UVA light, UVB light, UVC light, blue light, and modulated light thereof, wherein the modulated light is modulated with respect to wavelength or frequency, power, including ramping the power, duration, including pulse durations when pulsing the modulated light, or a combination thereof.

Notably, heat dissipated by the one-or-more UV-light sources110can warm the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are disposed in the cavity108. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ultrasound gel-treating station102can further include one or more heating elements126for warming the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are disposed in the cavity108.

The one-or-more heating elements126can be disposed in the cavity108, in the housing106, behind the housing106, or the like, optionally, in a combination thereof, for warming the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are disposed in the cavity108. When the one-or-more heating elements126are disposed in the cavity108, the one-or-more heating elements126can be wholly disposed in the cavity108with corresponding electrical leads passing through through holes in the internal housing114as well as the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114to the microcontroller128. When the one-or-more heating elements126are disposed in the housing106, the one-or-more heating elements126can be partially disposed in the cavity108(e.g., peaking into the cavity108) with a remainder of the one-or-more heating elements126disposed in the through holes of the internal housing114, the corresponding electrical leads passing through the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114to the microcontroller128. Lastly, when the one-or-more heating elements126are behind the housing106, the one-or-more heating elements126can be mounted in the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114such that the one-or-more heating elements126emit infrared radiation toward the cavity108. As in other embodiments, the corresponding electrical leads of the one-or-more heating elements126pass through the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114to the microcontroller128.

Notably, when both the one-or-more UV-light sources110and the one-or-more heating elements126are present, the one-or-more UV-light sources110and the one-or-more heating elements126can independently adopt any configuration set forth above with respect to being disposed in the cavity108, in the housing106, behind the housing106, or the like.

FIG.5provides a block diagram of the ultrasound gel-treating station102including a microcontroller128in accordance with some embodiments.

As shown, the ultrasound gel-treating station102can further include the microcontroller128configured for operating the ultrasound gel-treating station102. The microcontroller128can be disposed within the housing106such as the internal space between the walls of the external and internal housing112and114.

The microcontroller128can include components selected from at least a processor130, secondary memory132, a sensor module134, a sensor interface136, and a power supply138such as an internal power supply (e.g., a battery) or an external power supply (e.g., utility power). The processor130can include a control unit140, an arithmetic unit142, and primary memory144(e.g., cache memory, RAM, or both), wherein the primary memory144can be configured to store in-use programs and data (e.g., the sensor data). While the primary memory144can be within the same package as a remainder of the processor130as alluded to inFIG.5, at least the foregoing RAM can be distributed outside the package of the processor130, for example, in its own package.

The secondary memory132can be configured to store data and programs including instructions, logic, algorithms including machine-learning algorithms, artificial intelligence (“AI”) models, or some combination thereof for loading into the primary memory144for use by the processor130, for example, when determining from, for example, the sensor data, whether the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104need to be disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed, whether the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are being irradiated, warmed, or both irradiated and warmed, how much longer the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104should be irradiated, warmed, or both irradiated and warmed, whether the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104have been disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed, or some combination thereof. Should the microcontroller128include the sensor module134and the sensor interface136to sense conditions in the cavity108for starting, stopping, or adjusting the one-or-more UV-light sources110, the one-or-more heating elements126, or both the one-or-more UV-light sources110and the one-or-more heating elements126in accordance with the foregoing, the processor130can further include an analog-to-digital converter146(“ADC”) configured to convert electrical signals from the one-or-more sensors from analog to digital and a digital-signal processor148(“DSP”) configured to generate sensor data from the electrical signals. While the ADC and DSP146and148can be within the same package as a remainder of the processor130as alluded to inFIG.5, the ADC and DSP146and148can be distributed outside the package of the processor130, for example, in their own package.

When present, the sensor module134can include one or more sensors selected from at least a photodetector150, a temperature sensor152, and a cover sensor154configured to generate electrical signals in response to photons detected, temperature sensed, and cover-state sensed, respectively, wherein the cover-state sensed can be, for example, open cover, ajar cover, or closed cover. Further, when present, the sensor interface136can include a signal conditioner156configured to standardize the electrical signals through voltage or current limiting, anti-aliasing filtering, or the like. In addition, the sensor interface136can include an amplifier158configured to amplify the electrical signals and, thereby, increase their signal-to-noise ratio. Again, the ADC146can be configured to convert the electrical signals from analog to digital, and the DSP148can be configured to generate the sensor data from the electrical signals for determining whether to start, stop, or adjust the one-or-more UV-light sources110, the one-or-more heating elements126, or both the one-or-more UV-light sources110and the one-or-more heating elements126in accordance with the sensor data.

The microcontroller128can be coupled to the one-or-more visual indicators118disposed in the housing106for indicating the one or more bottle of ultrasound gel need to be disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed, the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are being irradiated, warmed, or both irradiated and warmed, or the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104have been disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed. Indeed, the one-or-more visual indicators118can be integrated into the one-or-more buttons122as LEDs behind the one-or-more buttons122, the LEDs having different colors (e.g., red, yellow, and green) of light to indicate the one or more bottle of ultrasound gel need to be disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed (e.g., red light), the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are being irradiated, warmed, or both irradiated and warmed (e.g., yellow light), or the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104have been disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed (e.g., green light). Additionally or alternatively, the microcontroller128can be coupled to the timer120disposed in the external housing112for indicating, for example, by a countdown, when the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104will be disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed.

The ultrasound gel-treating station102can further include an actuator160disposed in the housing106for lifting the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104at least partially out of the ultrasound gel-treating station102so any bottle of the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104can be grabbed without touching a potentially contaminated exterior surface of the ultrasound gel-treating station102. The actuator160can be coupled to one or more movable bottoms of the plurality of sleeves or silos of the internal housing114set forth above for lifting the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104at least partially out of the ultrasound gel-treating station102.

As to the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104, each bottle of the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104can be formed of a pliable polymeric material sufficiently transparent to transmit UV light therethrough. Such a polymeric material can be selected from a polycarbonate, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyurethane, a poly (methyl methacrylate), a polyimide, a polyetherimide, and a cyclic olefin polymer, the polymeric material optionally including one or more comonomer residues, thereby making the foregoing polymeric material a copolymer, one or more plasticizers, or a combination thereof.

Methods

Methods include methods of the ultrasound gel-treating system or station100or102, itself, as well as methods of using the ultrasound gel-treating system100.

A method of the ultrasound gel-treating station102can include at least a sensing operation of sensing conditions in the cavity108and a determining operation of determining whether the one-or-more UV-light sources110, the one-or-more heating elements126, or both the one-or-more UV-light sources110and the one-or-more heating elements126should be started, stopped, or adjusted. Further, the method of the ultrasound gel-treating station102can include an indicating operation of indicating with the one-or-more visual indicators118the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104need to be disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed, the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104are being irradiated, warmed, or both irradiated and warmed, or the one-or-more bottles of ultrasound gel104have been disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed. Such operations of the ultrasound gel-treating station102and others can be further understood from disclosure set forth above.

A method of using the ultrasound gel-treating station102can include at least a witnessing operation of witnessing the ultrasound gel-treating station102indicating with the one-or-more visual indicators118that the plurality of bottles of ultrasound gel104have been disinfected, warmed, or both disinfected and warmed. Further, the method of using the ultrasound gel-treating station102can include an uncovering operation of uncovering the cavity108, a waiting operation of waiting for the actuator160to lift the plurality of bottles of ultrasound gel104at least partially out of the ultrasound gel-treating station102, and a grabbing operation of grabbing a bottle of the plurality of bottles of ultrasound gel104without touching a potentially contaminated exterior surface of the ultrasound gel-treating station102. Further yet, the method of using the ultrasound gel-treating station102can include returning the bottle to its sleeve or silo without contaminating any other bottle of the plurality of bottles of ultrasound gel104.

While some particular embodiments have been disclosed herein, and while the particular embodiments have been disclosed in some detail, it is not the intention for the particular embodiments to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations or modifications can appear to those of ordinary skill in the art, and, in broader aspects, these adaptations or modifications are encompassed as well. Accordingly, departures may be made from the particular embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.