Patent Publication Number: US-2023149447-A1

Title: Kit and method for providing additional defense against all corona virus strains

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to viral defense, and particularly to topical chemoprotection against viruses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Corona viruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause diseases, such as respiratory tract infections, that can range from mild to lethal. Mild illnesses in humans include some cases of the common cold, while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. 
     Methods to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19 infection include: wearing masks, social distancing, mRNA vaccination, and/or various drug therapies. Nevertheless, COVID-19 remains a threat, especially as new variants are discovered that appear resistant to the known methods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The kit of the invention is a ready-to-use kit for protecting two major portals of entry of viruses into the body (the nose and the mouth) using pre-moistened swabs. 
     Each kit includes at least two pre-moistened nasal swabs and at least one premoistened oral swab. Optionally, pre-moistened alcohol pads are also included for sterilizing the inner surface of a mask to reduce viral and bacterial build-up after using the mask for a period of time. 
     Wearing a mask and social distancing are known strategies of prevention, which attempt to prevent viruses from entering the nose and the mouth. The kit and method of the invention provide an extra layer of protection against viral entry (in addition to wearing a mask, social distancing, etc.), thereby providing more prevention. 
     The kit and method of the invention add to those known prevention strategies by using pre-moistened swabs to topically kill viruses that may have entered the mouth and nose, before they gain a foothold in the rest of the body. Further, using pre-moistened alcohol pads to sterilize the inner surface of a mask periodically during use also helps prevent viruses and bacteria from building to dangerous levels on the inner surface of the mask. 
     A general aspect of the invention is a kit for providing additional defense against Corona Virus strains. The kit includes: at least one nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution; and at least one oral swab pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution. 
     In some embodiments, the iodine solution of the at least one nasal swab is a betadine solution. 
     In some embodiments, the betadine solution is betadine 0.5-2.0%. 
     In some embodiments, the iodine solution of the at least one nasal swab is a povidone solution. 
     In some embodiments, the iodine solution of the at least one nasal swab is replaced with chlorhexidine 0.09% to 0.12%. 
     In some embodiments, the chlorhexidine solution of the at least one oral swab is chlorhexidine 0.09% to 0.12%. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution is sealed in a package. 
     In some embodiments, the package includes a plurality of nasal swabs pre-moistened with an iodine solution, and the package is resealable. 
     In some embodiments, a pair of nasal swabs pre-moistened with the iodine solution are included in a sealed package. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one oral swab pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution is sealed in a package. 
     In some embodiments, the package includes a plurality of oral swabs pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution, and the package is resealable. 
     In some embodiments, the kit also includes a plurality of alcohol swabs. 
     In some embodiments, the alcohol swabs are pre-moistened with 60%-70% Isopropyl Alcohol and are sealed in a disposable package. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of alcohol swabs consists of four alcohol swabs. 
     In some embodiments, each alcohol swab includes a rectangular or square piece of gauze. 
     In some embodiments, each alcohol swab includes a swab stick. 
     In some embodiments, each alcohol swab includes a swab made from cotton. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution is sealed in a sterile package. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one oral swab pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution is sealed in a sterile package. 
     In some embodiments, the plurality of alcohol swabs are sealed in a sterile package. 
     Another general aspect of the invention is a method for providing additional defense against Corona Virus strains to a person having a mouth and a nose with two nostrils. The method includes: using at least one nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution to apply the iodine solution to a surface within each of the two nostrils; and using at least one oral swab pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution to apply the chlorhexidine solution to a surface within the mouth. 
     In some embodiments, the iodine solution of the at least one nasal swab is a betadine solution. 
     In some embodiments, the betadine solution is betadine 0.5-2.0%. 
     In some embodiments, the iodine solution of the at least one nasal swab is a povidone solution. 
     In some embodiments, the iodine solution of the at least one nasal swab is replaced with chlorhexidine 0.09% to 0.12%. 
     In some embodiments, the chlorhexidine solution of the at least one oral swab is chlorhexidine 0.09% to 0.12%. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes: before using the at least one nasal swab, removing the at least one nasal swab from a package. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes: after removing the at least one nasal swab from the package, resealing the package. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes: before using the at least one oral swab, removing the at least one oral swab from a package. 
     In some embodiments, the method also includes: after removing the at least one oral swab from the package, resealing the package. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a person&#39;s hand holding a nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution to apply the iodine solution to an inner surface of a nostril. 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged side view of the nasal swab of  FIG.  1    pre-moistened with an iodine solution. 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of two nasal swabs, each pre-moistened with an iodine solution to apply the iodine solution to an inner surface of each of two nostrils, respectively. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of three pairs of nasal swabs pre-moistened with an iodine solution, each pair of pre-moistened nasal swabs sealed in a sterile package. 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of a pair of oral swabs pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution to apply the chlorhexidine solution to a surface within a mouth. 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of a person&#39;s hand holding an oral swab of  FIG.  5    pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution just before applying the chlorhexidine solution to a surface within a mouth. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the person&#39;s hand of  FIG.  6    holding the oral swab pre-moistened with chlorhexidine solution while applying the chlorhexidine solution to a surface within a mouth, wiping the oral swab over an inner surface of the mouth. 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of a person about to apply the nasal swab of  FIG.  1    pre-moistened with an iodine solution to an inner surface of a nostril. 
         FIG.  9    is a side cross-sectional view of a person inserting the nasal swab of  FIG.  1    pre-moistened with an iodine solution to apply the iodine solution to an inner surface of a nostril. 
         FIG.  10    is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing additional defense against Corona Virus strains using at least one nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution to apply the iodine solution to an inner surface of a nostril, and using at least one oral swab pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution to apply the chlorhexidine solution to a surface within a mouth, returning each swab to a resealable package. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , a person&#39;s hand  100  is shown holding a nasal swab  110  pre-moistened with an iodine solution  112  to apply the iodine solution  112  to an inner surface of a nostril. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the nasal swab  110  of  FIG.  1    is shown, pre-moistened with an iodine solution  112 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , a pair  300  of two nasal swabs  110  are shown, each pre-moistened with an iodine solution  112  to apply the iodine solution  112  to an inner surface of each of two nostrils, respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , three pairs  300  of nasal swabs are shown pre-moistened with an iodine solution, each pair  300  of pre-moistened nasal swabs is sealed in a sterile package  400 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  5   , a pair of oral swabs  500  is shown pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution  510  to apply the chlorhexidine solution  510  to a surface within a mouth. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a person&#39;s hand  100  is shown holding an oral swab  500  of  FIG.  5    pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution  510  just before applying the chlorhexidine solution to a surface within a mouth  600 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  7   , the person&#39;s hand  100  of  FIG.  6    is shown holding the oral swab  500  pre-moistened with chlorhexidine solution  510  while applying the chlorhexidine solution  510  to a surface within a mouth  600 , using a wiping motion  700  of the oral swab  500  over an inner surface of the mouth  600 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , a person  800  is shown about to insert the nasal swab  110  of  FIG.  1    so as to apply the iodine solution  112  to an inner surface of a nostril  810 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  9   , the person  800  is shown inserting the nasal swab  110  of  FIG.  1    pre-moistened with an iodine solution  112  to apply the iodine solution  112  to the inner surface of the nostril  810 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , a flow chart of a method  1000  is shown for providing additional defense against Corona Virus strains. First, at least one nasal swab pre-moistened with an iodine solution is removed  1002  from a package containing nasal swabs. Next, the package containing nasal swabs is resealed  1004  to keep the remaining nasal swabs fresh and sterile. Then, the iodine solution is applied  1006  to an inner surface of a nostril. Further, an oral swab pre-moistened with a chlorhexidine solution is removed  1008  from a package containing oral swabs. Next, the package containing oral swabs is resealed  1010  to keep the remaining oral swabs fresh and sterile. Then, the chlorhexidine solution is applied  1012  to a surface within a mouth using the oral swab, returning each swab to a resealable package. 
     The kit and method of the invention include the use of 4″ long cotton nasal swabs pre-moistened with betadine or povidone iodine solution. A person inserts a nasal swab into each nostril, using one nasal swab per nostril. The nasal swabs are sterile and are pre-moistened with 2% betadine, for example, or povidone iodine solution. 
     An oral swab that is 6″ long is also included that is pre-moistened in 0.12% chlorhexidine solution, for example. The chlorhexidine can be 0.09% to 0.12%. Usually, 0.12% chlorhexidine solution can be used. 
     The povidone iodine concentration can be 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0%, depending on the level of prevention desired. Usually, 0.5% povidone iodine solution can be used. 
     If one wants to create a pre-moistened nasal swab, a dry cotton swab can be dipped in 2 ml of 0.5% povidone iodine solution for 15 seconds. If one wants to create a pre-moistened oral swab, a dry cotton swab can be dipped in 15 ml of 0.12% chlorhexidine solution for 15 seconds. 
     Each of the two nasal swabs is to be pre-moistened in 2 mL of betadine solution, so 4 mL total of betadine solution would be used to pre-moisten two nasal swabs. The minimum number of nasal swabs in a kit is two, and the minimum number or oral swabs in a kit is one. 
     Optionally, for further protection, alcohol swabs can be used for sterilizing the inner surface of a mask. Four alcohol pads (pre-moistened with 70% alcohol) can optionally be part of the kit. 
     Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims.