Abstract:
A protective cover for a stethoscope head and an apparatus for quickly and easily interconnecting the protective cover with the stethoscope head. The apparatus includes a cover-positioning device that positions the protective cover so that it can be quickly and easily interconnected with the stethoscope head. The cover positioning device includes a base having a planar portion and an upstanding rim connected to the planar portion, the upstanding rim defining an opening for receiving the stethoscope head therethrough. Following examination of the patient using the stethoscope with the protective head covering, the protective covering can be quickly and easily removed from the stethoscope head and suitably disposed of so as to prevent skin bacteria and like contaminants that may have contaminated the protective cover during patient examination, from undesirably being transmitted to the next patient.

Description:
[0001]    This is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/999,556 filed Dec. 5, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to medical devices. More particularly, the invention concerns a disposable cover for a stethoscope head and an apparatus for dispensing the disposable cover. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    A stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening, to internal sounds in a human or animal body. It is most often used to listen to heart sounds and breathing (breath sounds), though it is also used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. The stethoscope operates on the transmission of sound from the chest piece, via air-filled hollow tubes, to the listener&#39;s ears. The chest piece can be placed against the patient for sensing relatively high frequency sound via a diaphragm which is usually provided in the form of a plastic disc. If the diaphragm is placed on the patient, body sounds vibrate the diaphragm creating acoustic pressure waves which travel up the tubing to the listener&#39;s ears. In use, the stethoscope is typically applied to the skin of the neck, chest, or back portions of the patient and often becomes contaminated with skin bacteria and like contaminants that can undesirably be transmitted to the next patient unless the portions of the stethoscope that come in contact with a patient are sterilized after each use. The transmission of bacterial infections among patients, particularly in a hospital setting, has been aggravated by the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of staphylococcal infections. It is this problem that the apparatus of the present invention seeks to overcome by providing a novel stethoscope cover and a dispensing apparatus for quickly and easily dispensing the stethoscope cover. 
         [0006]    A number of different types of stethoscope covers and apparatus for dispensing the covers have been suggested in the past. Exemplary of such prior art is the stethoscope cover and dispensing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,134 issued to Stark, et al. The Stark, et al., patent discloses a stethoscope head cover which overlies the diaphragm of the stethoscope and the surrounding rim thereof and is fabricated from a thin sheet of plastic with a discontinuous layer of peelable adhesive on one surface of the plastic. The discontinuous layer of adhesive is in a predetermined pattern and the pattern is selected so that air passageways are provided from the regions between the cover and the diaphragm and past the rim to regions external the stethoscope. The cover generally comprises a flat, thin plastic sheet with the discontinuous layer of a peelable adhesive applied to one surface of the sheet. The adhesive adheres to both the diaphragm and the rim of the stethoscope leaving the aforesaid air passages for eliminating trapped air pockets or bubbles between the diaphragm and the cover. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,187 issued to Appavu discloses a disposable stethoscope cover diaphragm that is removably attached over the outer edge of a stethoscope high frequency pickup in order to isolate the pickup from pathogens contacted when the stethoscope is used to examine a person. The cover diaphragm can be used as the diaphragm of a stethoscope pickup and can be used with a diaphragm supplied with the stethoscope. After the cover diaphragm has been used it can be discarded and destroyed or, alternatively, can be cleaned for reuse. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,897 issued to Ross, et al., discloses a dispenser for use in dispensing disposable stethoscope diaphragms for removable attachment to a stethoscope head, where the diaphragms are supplied in a stacked array in a tube. The diaphragms are dispensed by a plate slidably mounted on the base for movement between retracted and extended positions. A cradle formed in the plate receives a single diaphragm through the opening when the dispensing plate is in its retracted position. Movement of the dispensing plate from its retracted to extended position is effective to place a diaphragm in the plate cradle in a position that allows the diaphragm to be attached to a stethoscope head by pressing the stethoscope head against the diaphragm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    By way of brief summary, one form of the present invention comprises a handheld cover dispensing unit that can be used to interconnect a disposable stethoscope cover with a conventional stethoscope head. The cover dispensing unit includes, in combination, a cover positioning device and a disposable stethoscope cover for removable attachment to a stethoscope head. The cover-positioning device comprises a base having a planar portion and an upstanding rim connected to the planar portion, the upstanding rim defining an opening for receiving the stethoscope head therethrough. The disposable stethoscope cover comprises a thin, yieldably deformable membrane-like central portion having a peripheral portion and an elastomeric bead interconnected with the peripheral portion, the elastomeric bead being removably receivable over said upstanding rim of the cover-positioning device. 
         [0010]    Another form of the present invention comprises a wall, or desktop mounted stethoscope head covering apparatus for dispensing a plurality of cover dispensing units of the character described in the preceding paragraph. This form of the invention includes a novel feed unit for sequentially dispensing the cover dispensing units. The feed unit includes a housing having a base having a forward portion and a rearward portion and an upstanding tower connected to the rearward portion of the base for holding a plurality of stacked cover dispensing units. An ejector slide is operably associated with the upstanding tower for moving a selected one of the cover dispensing units from the upstanding tower to a position over a generally key-hole-shaped opening formed in said base of said feed unit so that the disposable cover can be conveniently interconnected with the stethoscope head. 
         [0011]    With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel handheld cover dispensing unit that can be used to quickly and easily interconnect a disposable, protective stethoscope cover with a stethoscope head. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a cover dispensing unit of the aforementioned character in which the protective stethoscope cover includes a thin, membrane-like central portion that is positioned in close protective engagement with the lower surface of the stethoscope head when the cover is interconnected with the stethoscope head. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide a protective stethoscope head cover of the character described in the preceding paragraph that can be quickly and easily removed from the stethoscope head following examination of the patient and then suitably disposed of so as to prevent skin bacteria and like contaminants, that may have contaminated the protective cover during patient examination, from undesirably being transmitted to the next patient. 
         [0014]    Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held dispensing unit of type described that is of simple compact construction and one that can be inexpensively manufactured in quantity. 
         [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a novel wall or desk mounted feed unit that can be used to conveniently feed dispensing units of the character described from an upstanding tower containing a plurality of cover dispensing units and sequentially position them on a strategically designed base so that the protective cover of the dispensing unit can be removed from the cover positioning device and quickly and easily interconnected with a stethoscope head. 
         [0016]    These and other objectives of the invention will be met by the novel apparatus of the invention, the character of which is described in the paragraphs that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the cover position devices of the invention for positioning a disposable stethoscope head cover in the manner such that the cover can be conveniently interconnected with a stethoscope head. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a generally perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , showing the disposable stethoscope head cover interconnected with the cover-positioning device to form the cover dispenser unit of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the feed unit of the invention for sequentially dispensing the cover dispensing units. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a generally perspective view, similar to  FIG. 3 , illustrating the manner in which the cover dispensing units are sequentially dispensed from the tower of the feed unit. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, foreshortened, cross-sectional, side-elevational view illustrating the manner in which the cover dispensing units of the invention are stacked within the tower of the feed unit and are strategically positioned on the base of the feed unit for interconnection of the disposable cover with a stethoscope head of the general character illustrated in the phantom lines in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a fragmentary view, similar to the right-hand portion of  FIG. 5 , illustrating the manner in which the stethoscope head, shown in phantom lines, is mated with the cover-positioning device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a fragmentary view, similar to  FIG. 5A , illustrating the disposable cover having been interconnected with the stethoscope head which is here shown in phantom lines. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5C  is a generally illustrative view showing removal from the feed unit of the assemblage made up of the stethoscope head and the protective cover. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a generally perspective view of an alternate form of the cover position devices of the invention for positioning a disposable stethoscope head cover in the manner such that the cover can be conveniently interconnected with a stethoscope head. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a generally perspective view, similar to  FIG. 6 , but showing the feed unit of the apparatus for dispensing the cover-positioning devices exploded from the base assembly of the apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the cover position devices of the invention for positioning a disposable stethoscope head cover in the manner such that the cover can be conveniently interconnected with a stethoscope head. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a generally perspective bottom view, similar to  FIG. 8 , showing the disposable stethoscope head cover interconnected with the cover-positioning device to form the cover dispenser unit of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a generally perspective top view, similar to  FIG. 9 , showing the disposable stethoscope head cover interconnected with the cover-positioning device. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 12 , but showing one of the cover dispenser units of the invention in position to be dispensed from the feed unit of the apparatus. 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 15 , but showing the cover dispenser unit fully dispensed from the feed unit of the apparatus. 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the area designated in  FIG. 18  as “ 17 ”. 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 16 , showing the cover dispenser unit fully dispensed from the feed unit of the apparatus and showing the stethoscope in position to be mated with the cover dispensing unit. 
           [0038]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 18 , showing the cover dispenser unit fully dispensed from the feed unit of the apparatus and showing the stethoscope initially mated with the cover dispensing unit. 
           [0039]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 19 , showing the stethoscope fully mated with the cover portion of the cover dispensing unit and showing in phantom lines the covered stethoscope removed from the base assembly. 
           [0040]      FIG. 21  is a view taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 20 , showing another of the plurality of cover dispenser units of the invention in position to be dispensed from the feed unit of the apparatus in an engagement with the first fully dispensed cover dispenser unit so as to eject it from the base assembly. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one form of the stethoscope head covering apparatus of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  12 . Apparatus  12  here comprises a plurality of cover dispensing units  14  of the character illustrated in  FIG. 2  of the drawings and a feed unit  16  of the character shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings. In a manner presently to be described, feed unit  16  functions to sequentially dispense the plurality of cover dispensing units  14 . However, it is to be understood that, as previously described, the cover dispensing units  14  can be packaged and distributed as individual handheld units that can be used by the physician to interconnect the protective cover with the stethoscope head. 
         [0043]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, each cover dispensing unit  14  comprises a positioning device  18  that includes a base  20  having a generally planar portion  22  and an upstanding rim  24  that is connected to portion  22  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1 . For a purpose presently to be described, generally planar portion  22  of the base is provided with an open segment  23 . Similarly, upstanding rim  24  is provided with an open segment  24   a  that is disposed in alignment with open segment  23  of the planar portion of the base. 
         [0044]    Connected to each of the cover-positioning devices  18  to form a dispensing unit  14  (see  FIG. 2 ) is a cover assembly  26  that comprises a uniquely constructed disposable cover  28 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , disposable cover  28  has a thin, yieldably deformable, membrane-like central portion  28   a  and a peripheral portion  28   b.  Connected to peripheral portion  28   b  is an elastomeric bead  30  that is removably receivable over the upstanding rim  24  of the base  20  in the manner shown in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. 
         [0045]    Considering once again the dispenser unit  16  of the apparatus of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings, dispenser unit  16  here comprises a base  32  having a forward portion  32   a  and a rearward portion  32   b.  As indicated in  FIG. 3  of the drawings, forward portion  32   a  is provided with a generally key-hole-shaped opening  34 , the purpose of which will presently be described. 
         [0046]    Connected to the rearward portion  32   b  of base  32  is an upstanding dispensing tower  36  having an interior chamber  36   a  ( FIG. 5 ) that, in the manner shown in  FIG. 5 , functions to hold a plurality of stacked cover dispensing units  14 . For a purpose presently to be described, the chamber is provided with a slot  36   a  that is formed proximate the rearward portion  32   b  of the base (see  FIG. 5 ). Slidably receivable within slot  36   a  for movement between a first retracted position and a second dispensing position is an ejector slide  38 . When the selector slide has been moved from its first retracted position to its second dispensing position, a selected one of the cover dispensing units  14 , such as the device identified in  FIGS. 3 and 4  by the numeral  14   x , has been moved along the base  32  from the inward position shown in  FIG. 3  into the outward position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  wherein it resides over the generally key-hole-shaped opening  34 . 
         [0047]    With the cover dispensing units designated as  14   x  in position over the generally key-hole-shaped opening  34  ( FIG. 5 ), the disposable cover assembly  26  can be interconnected with the stethoscope head in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A and  5 B of the drawings. More particularly, in order to interconnect the disposable cover with the stethoscope head, the stethoscope head is moved in the direction of the arrow  41  of  FIG. 5A  from the position shown in the phantom lines in  FIG. 5  into the downward position shown by the phantom lines in  FIG. 5A , where it is in engagement with the yieldably deformable central portion  28   a  of the cover. A continued downward movement of the stethoscope head in the direction of the arrow  41  of  FIG. 5A  will cause a deformation of the central portion of the cover in the manner shown in  FIG. 5A . A further downward movement of the stethoscope head to the position shown in  FIG. 5B  will cause it to move through the generally key-hole-shaped opening  34  (see  FIG. 3 ) and into the position shown in  FIG. 5B  of the drawings. As the stethoscope head moves downwardly through the keyhole shaped opening, the air-filled hollow tubes “T” of the stethoscope will pass through the segmented openings  23  and  24   a  formed in the base  20  and in the upstanding rim  24 , respectively. As the stethoscope head moves downwardly, the elastomeric bead  30  will release from the rim portion of the base and, in the manner illustrated by the arrows  43  and  FIG. 5A , will move into engagement with the peripheral portion “P” of the stethoscope head, thereby removably securing the cover  28  to the stethoscope head and moving the flexible central membrane portion  28   a  of the cover into close engagement with the lower surface “S” of the stethoscope head. Once the cover is in position over the stethoscope head, the assemblage thus formed can be removed from the apparatus  12  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 5C . Following the examination of the patient, the cover assembly  26  can be conveniently removed from the stethoscope head and discarded into a suitable contaminated waste receptacle. 
         [0048]    Turning next to  FIGS. 6 through 10 , an alternate form of the stethoscope head covering apparatus of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  42 . Apparatus  42 , which is similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , here comprises a plurality of cover dispensing units  44  of the character illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  of the drawings and a feed unit  46  of the character shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings. In a manner presently to be described, feed unit  46  functions to sequentially dispense the plurality of cover dispensing units  44 . However, it is to be understood that, as previously described, the cover dispensing units  44  can be packaged and distributed as individual handheld units that can be used by the physician to interconnect the protective cover with the stethoscope head. 
         [0049]    As best seen in  FIGS. 8 through 10  of the drawings, each cover dispensing unit  44  comprises a positioning device  48  that includes a positioning base  50  having a generally planar portion  52  ( FIG. 8 ) and a rim  54  that is connected to positioning base  50  in the manner shown in  FIG. 10 . For a purpose presently to be described, generally planar portion  52  of the positioning base is provided with an open segment  53 . Similarly, upstanding rim  54  is provided with an open segment  54   a  that is disposed in alignment with open segment  53  of the positioning base. 
         [0050]    Connected to each of the cover-positioning devices  48  to form a dispensing unit  44  (see  FIG. 8 ), is a cover assembly  56  that comprises a uniquely constructed disposable cover  58 . As best seen in  FIG. 9  disposable cover  58  has a thin, yieldably deformable, membrane-like central portion  58   a  and a peripheral portion  58   b.  Connected to peripheral portion  58   b  is an elastomeric bead  60  that is removably receivable over rim  54  of the base  50  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  of the drawings. 
         [0051]    Considering once again the dispenser unit  46  of the apparatus of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings, dispenser unit  46  here comprises a base assembly  62  that includes a base  63  having a forward portion  63   a  and a rearward portion  63   b.  As indicated in  FIG. 7  of the drawings, rearward portion  63   b  is provided with a feed unit receiving chamber  65 , while forward portion  63   a  is provided with a generally key-hole-shaped opening  64 , the purpose of which will presently be described. 
         [0052]    Receivable within feed unit receiving chamber  65  is the previously identified feed unit  46  that includes an upstanding dispensing tower  66  having an interior chamber  66   a  ( FIG. 7 ) that, in the manner shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , functions to hold the plurality of stacked cover dispensing units  44 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 , to insure correct alignment of the feed unit  46 , base  63  of base assembly  62  is provided with a pair of index slots  63   c  that closely receive a pair of indexing protuberances  46   a  formed on feed unit  46  ( FIG. 6 ). For a purpose presently to be described, base  63  is also provided with a guide channel  67  that communicates with feed unit receiving chamber  65  ( FIG. 7 ) and functions to slidably receive a selected one of the stacked cover dispensing units  44  for movement between a first retracted position and a second dispensing position. 
         [0053]    Base  63  is also provided with a longitudinal slot  69  that slidably receives the pusher segment  70   a  of a finger engaging dispenser knob  70  that is adapted for movement in the direction of the arrow  73  of  FIG. 7 , between a first retracted position and a second dispensing position. When the finger engaging dispenser knob  70  is moved from its first retracted position to its second dispensing position, the pusher segment  70   a  of a finger engaging dispenser knob engages a selected one of the cover dispensing units  44 , such as the device identified in  FIG. 7  by the numeral  44   x,  and is moved within guide channel  67  from the inward position shown in  FIG. 7  to an outward position wherein it resides beneath the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64 . 
         [0054]    With the cover dispensing unit designated as  44   x , is in position beneath the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64 , the disposable cover assembly  56  can be interconnected with the stethoscope head in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20  of the drawings. More particularly, in order to interconnect the disposable cover with the stethoscope head, the stethoscope head is moved from the position shown in  FIG. 18  into the downward position shown in  FIG. 19  where it is in engagement with the yieldably deformable central portion  58   a  of the cover. A continued downward movement of the stethoscope head to the position shown in  FIG. 20  will cause it to move through the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64  and into the stethoscope covered position shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  of the drawings. As a stethoscope head moves downwardly through the keyhole shaped opening, the air-filled hollow tubes “T” of the stethoscope will pass through the segmented openings  53  and  54   a  formed in the base  50  and in the rim  54 , respectively. Importantly, as the stethoscope head moves downwardly into the position shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  of the drawings, the elastomeric bead  60  will release from the rim portion of the base and will move into engagement with the peripheral portion “P” of the stethoscope head, thereby removably securing the cover  56  to the stethoscope head. In this position, the flexible central membrane portion  58   a  of the cover resides in close engagement with the lower surface “S” of the stethoscope head. Once the cover is in position over the stethoscope head, the assemblage thus formed can be removed from the apparatus in the manner illustrated by the phantom lines in  FIG. 20 . Following the examination of the patient, the cover assembly  56  can be conveniently removed from the stethoscope head and discarded into a suitable contaminated waste receptacle. 
         [0055]    In using this apparatus of the invention, the feed unit  46  is first mated with the base assembly  62  in the manner shown in  FIG. 12  of the drawings. This done, movement of the finger engaging dispenser knob  70  from its first retracted position into the position shown in  FIG. 15  of the drawings will cause the pusher segment  70   a  of the finger engaging dispenser knob to engage the cover dispensing unit  44   x  and move it forwardly within guide channel  67 . Further movement of the finger engaging dispenser knob will cause the cover dispensing unit  44   x  to move into the second outward position wherein it resides beneath the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64  (see  FIGS. 16 and 18 ). At the same time, the cover dispensing unit identified in  FIGS. 16 and 18  by the numeral  44   y  will drop downwardly into the position earlier occupied by cover dispensing unit  44   x.    
         [0056]    With the cover dispensing unit designated as  44   x  thusly positioned beneath the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64 , the stethoscope head is moved from the position shown in  FIG. 18  into the downward position shown in  FIG. 19  where it is in engagement with the yieldably deformable central portion  58   a  of the cover. A continued downward movement of the stethoscope head to the position shown in  FIG. 20  will cause it to move through the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64  and into the stethoscope covered position shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21  of the drawings. As the stethoscope head moves downwardly through the keyhole shaped opening, the elastomeric bead  60  will release from the rim portion of the base and move into engagement with the peripheral portion “P” of the stethoscope head, thereby removably securing the cover  56  to the stethoscope head. Once the cover is in position over the stethoscope head, the assemblage thus formed can be removed from the apparatus in the manner illustrated by the phantom lines in  FIG. 20 . Following the examination of the patient, the cover assembly  56  can be conveniently removed from the stethoscope head and discarded into a suitable contaminated waste receptacle. 
         [0057]    To cover the stethoscope head with a fresh cover assembly  56 , finger engaging dispenser knob  70  is returned to its first starting position wherein the pusher segment  70   a  is in engagement with the cover dispensing unit  44   y . Forward movement of the finger engaging dispensing knob  70  from this starting position will cause the pusher segment  70   a  of the finger engaging dispenser knob to move the cover dispensing unit  44   y  forwardly within guide channel  67  into the second outward position wherein it resides beneath the generally key-hole-shaped opening  64  (see  FIGS. 16 and 18 ). At the same time, cover dispensing unit  44   y  will urge cover dispensing unit  44   x  outwardly of the base assembly. With a cover dispensing unit  44   y  disposed beneath the keyhole shaped opening  64 , the fresh cover assembly  56  of cover dispensing unit  44   y  can be removably affixed to the stethoscope head in the manner previously described. 
         [0058]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.