Abstract:
A stethoscope cover having an enclosure with a closed end and an open end. An arrangement (e.g., a circular element) can be located substantially near the closed end can hold a bell of the stethoscope. A V-shaped elastic arrangement can be located at the open end and can extend the enclosure when earpieces of a stethoscope can be pulled apart. A strap can be located at the open and can hold the stethoscope in the enclosure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 61/659,518, filed on Jun. 14, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to a cover for a stethoscope, and more specifically, to exemplary embodiments of a disposable cover for use on, for example, a stethoscope. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Primary-care physicians in the United States can examine, on average, 30 patients per day. Currently, specialty-care physicians can examine around 12-15 patients per day. During a physical examination, it can be a common practice to use a stethoscope to examine the patient. A stethoscope is a medical device used for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of a human body. This device can often be used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It can also be used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. During a physical examination, it can be common practice for physicians to wear disposable gloves, and to change the gloves between patients. Despite this safety procedure, it can be common practice that the same stethoscope be used on all of patients, and it can be uncommon for the stethoscope to be cleaned between examinations. Even if the stethoscope is cleaned after an examination, the stethoscope can still harbor residual microorganisms. This can lead to the transmission of an infection from one patient to another patient, or between the patient and the doctor. Most typically, when a stethoscope can be cleaned or covered, it may only be done so for the diaphragm. This can be insufficient for stopping cross contamination. For example, there may not be any protection for when a doctor examines a patient and the tube brushes against the infected patient. Additionally, even if the diaphragm can be covered or disinfected, the tube can be contaminated for the next patient. The earpieces of the stethoscope can also be a source of infection as a doctor removes the stethoscope after touching an infected patient during an exam. The next time the doctor puts the stethoscope on and touches the earpieces, his newly clean gloves can be contaminated for his or her next patient. In this manner, the entire stethoscope, including the earpieces, can be a risk for infection. 
         [0004]    Studies have been performed that measure the levels of contamination of stethoscopes in various clinical settings including intensive care units, medicine wards and private clinics. In these studies, it was determined that stethoscopes can be a potential source of nosocomial infection (e.g., infections acquired in a hospital). During such studies, sampling of stethoscopes for bacterial cultures revealed that almost all stethoscopes can harbor microorganisms, and a significant number can contain antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (e.g., methicillin resistant Staph Aureus). Further, more than just the diaphragms can be contaminated. For example, a study of 56 patients was performed at Geneva University in which stethoscope contamination was measured after each patient&#39;s stethoscope examination. The study found that both the diaphragm and the tube can be significant sources of infection, and that there can be an insignificant difference in the level of contamination between the two areas. 
         [0005]    Currently, the most common way to clean a stethoscope can be to swab the stethoscope with alcohol. Swabbing the stethoscope with alcohol has been shown to decrease the bacterial colonization of stethoscopes. However, health care providers, especially medical staff, do not regularly wipe their stethoscopes with alcohol. Even if the stethoscope diaphragm can be cleaned with alcohol, earpieces can continue to harbor organisms, and cleaning these can require much more time. Further, swabbing with alcohol leaves the stethoscope wet and cold and can cause discomfort to the patient. 
         [0006]    To overcome the some of the above problems, single use disposable stethoscopes have been employed, which can be discarded after each use. Single use stethoscopes, however, can be very expensive, and generally have very poor sound quality. 
         [0007]    Thus, it may be beneficial to provide a disposable cover for a stethoscope that can protect both the patient and the doctor from the transmission of infectious organisms or diseases, that is easily used, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which can overcome at least some of the deficiencies described herein above. 
       SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a disposable stethoscope cover. The exemplary stethoscope cover can provide a disposable protective cover for a stethoscope, which can be easily and quickly applied to a stethoscope to cover, for example, the diaphragm, bell, tube and a portion of the ear-piece of a stethoscope, and can help in preventing patient-to-patient and patient-to-health care provider transmission of infection by forming a barrier between the patient and/or doctor and the stethoscope. 
         [0009]    The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can be made from two layers of non-woven fabric, which can be stitched at the edges to form a pouch that can be used to cover the stethoscope. The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can be open at the proximal end and closed at the distal end. A V-shape can be cut out of the two layers of fabric at the proximal end and triangular pieces of elastic fabric can be stitched to the edges of the V-shape such that when the elastic pieces can be stretched, the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can easily be pulled over the earpieces of the stethoscope. 
         [0010]    This exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can be easily fastened and/or removed, and can be applied on a stethoscope in few steps. The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can then be discarded after a single use. 
         [0011]    This exemplary disposable stethoscope cover, unlike disposable stethoscopes which can provide poor sound quality, does not sacrifice the sound quality of the stethoscope as the physicians can use their own stethoscopes, and the non-woven material can transmit sound perfectly. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a stethoscope cover can include an enclosure having a closed end and an open end. A first arrangement can be located substantially near the closed end and can be configured to hold a bell of a stethoscope. An elastic second arrangement can be located at the open end and configured to extend the enclosure when earpieces of the stethoscope are pulled apart. The elastic arrangement can be substantially v-shaped. A can strap configured to hold the stethoscope in the enclosure, and the stethoscope cover can be made from a first material and the strap can be made from a second material that can be different from the first material. The strap can include a closure portion having a semi-permanent adhesive to attach one end of the strap to the stethoscope cover. The strap can include a closure portion including a hook and loop system to attach one end of the strap to the stethoscope cover. 
         [0013]    In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first arrangement can include a circular element, and can contain an antimicrobial agent. The stethoscope cover can be made from a first material and the first arrangement can be made from a second material that can be different from the first material. The first arrangement can be made from a non-porous material, and can extend a particular distance away from a surface of the stethoscope cover. 
         [0014]    In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first arrangement can include at least two discs layered one on top of the other, which can contain an anti-microbial agent or a drug. The stethoscope cover can be sized to substantially cover an entirety of the stethoscope, or it can be sized to substantially cover an entirety of the stethoscope except for earpieces of the stethoscope. The stethoscope cover can be of unitary construction, or it can be constructed from a top layer stitched to a bottom layer. The first arrangement can be located on the top layer, and the elastic second arrangement can include two elastic portions, one elastic portion on the top layer and one elastic portion on the bottom layer. 
         [0015]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary disposable stethoscope cover with a stethoscope placed within, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover according to  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of one end of the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover of  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments and is not limited by the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a disposable cover for a stethoscope. For example, the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can be configured to hold a stethoscope and protect a patient and a doctor from the transmission of diseases that can reside on the stethoscope. The exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a stethoscope, although those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented on other medical or non-medical devices that can benefit from a disposable protective cover. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can be long and slender, and can be designed to fit all or part of a stethoscope  105 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can cover all of stethoscope  105 , except for, for example, the very top of earpieces  110 , facilitating the user of stethoscope  100  to insert earpieces  110  into their ears while the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can be in use. Alternatively, the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can cover earpieces  110 , providing an additional barrier between the wearer of stethoscope  100  and stethoscope  100 . 
         [0024]    The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can be made from once piece of material, which can be connected, or stitched together at one end. Alternatively, the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can be made from multiple pieces of material stitched together. The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can have a pouch  115  made from a bottom layer  120  and a top layer  125 , which together can form a pouch or open area into which stethoscope  105  can be inserted into. The pouch  115  can be made from a non-woven fabric, or from any fabric or material that can hold stethoscope  105 . 
         [0025]    The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover can have a closed end  150  and an open end  155  into which stethoscope  105  can be inserted. Closed end  150  can have a circular area  130  that can be designed to engage or hold the bell (not shown) of stethoscope  105 . When stethoscope  105  can be inserted in the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100 , the bell of stethoscope  105  can naturally fit into circular area  130 . 
         [0026]    Circular area  130  can be made from the same material as pouch  115 , and can extend a distance away from the surface of pouch  115  such that circular area  130  may not be flush with pouch  115 . Alternatively, circular area  130  can be flush with pouch  115 . Additionally, circular area  130  can be made from a different material than that of pouch  115 . According to one exemplary embodiment, circular area  130  can be two discs of non-woven fabric or a rubber polymer attached to pouch  115  such that they lie over the bell and diaphragm of stethoscope  105 . The two discs can be impregnated or treated with an antimicrobial agent, or can have drug delivery polymer formulations that deliver antimicrobial agents, to aid in preventing the transmission of diseases. 
         [0027]    According to another exemplary embodiment, circular area  130  can be made of any material, and can be of any design, such that it aids in preventing the transmission of diseases. For example, circular area  130  can be made from a non-porous material that may not facilitate the transmission of diseases. In addition, pouch  115  can be made from, or have a non-porous material woven inside, which may not facilitate for the transmission of diseases. 
         [0028]    The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can have a strap  135 , which can assist in holding stethoscope  105  inside of pouch  115 . Additionally, the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can have a cutout  140 , which can be elastic, to facilitate the user of stethoscope  105  to extend earpieces  110 , in turn extending pouch  115 , around their head and into their ears. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can be seen with exemplary dimensions for the open end  155 , cutout  140 , the location and dimensions of circular  130 , as well as additional exemplary dimensional information about the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100 . It should be understood that other dimensions can be used, and are certainly within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , an enlarged view of open end  155  is illustrated. The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can have cutout  140 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , cutout  140  can be a triangular shape or a V-shape. However, it should be understood that cutout  140  could be of any shape or design. Cutout  140  can be cutout of both the bottom layer  120  and the top layer  125 , forming a pass-through between bottom later  120  and top layer  125 . The exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can have two separate elastic pieces  305  woven into the cutout created in bottom layer  120  and in the cutout created in the top layer  125 , such that elastic pieces  305  form a continuity in pouch  115  at open end  155 . Elastic pieces  305  can be made of a material that provides for elasticity or stretchability. The elasticity of elastic pieces  305  can facilitate open end  155  to be stretched to fit stethoscope  105  around the user&#39;s head when using stethoscope  105 . Elastic pieces  305  can be individually stitched together  310  with pouch  115 , or elastic pieces  305  can be individually attached to pouch  115  using any know method of joining two pieces of fabric or material. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the exemplary disposable stethoscope cover  100  can have a strap  135  that can be used to secure and/or hold stethoscope  105  inside of pouch  115 . Strap  135  can have an elongated piece  405 , which can be made of the same or different material than that of pouch  115 . Strap  135  can also have a closure piece  410 . Closure piece  410  can have a semi-permanent adhesive, which can be covered with a wax strip. Alternatively, closure piece  410  can be made of a hook and loop type system such that closure piece  410  can be removable attached to pouch  115 . 
         [0032]    The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various different exemplary embodiments can be used together with one another, as well as interchangeably therewith, as should be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it is explicitly incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.