Abstract:
An apparatus and method for protecting equipment from contamination are provided. The apparatus may include a sleeve having a first open end and a second open end, an elastic mechanism disposed around at least a portion of the first open end, and a closure mechanism near the second open end. The closure mechanism may be operable to close the second open end around at least a portion of the equipment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to equipment protection, and more specifically relates to an equipment cover for covering medical equipment to prevent contamination of the medical equipment by bloodborne pathogens and contrast materials. 
         [0002]    In a medical environment, such as a hospital, keeping equipment sterile and preventing equipment from being contaminated are of utmost importance. However, blood splatter, contrast materials, as well as other fluids that are regularly found in medical environments may carry bloodborne pathogens and other impurities that may contaminate equipment within the medical environment. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus to protect equipment from contamination. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus adapted to protect an equipment from contamination comprises a sleeve having a first open end and a second open end; an elastic mechanism disposed around at least a portion of the first open end; and a closure mechanism near the second open end, the closure mechanism operable to close the second open end around at least a portion of the equipment 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for protecting an equipment from contamination comprises fitting a sleeve over the equipment through a first open end of the sleeve; securing the first open end of the sleeve to the equipment using an elastic mechanism disposed around at least a portion of the first open end; and closing a second open end of the sleeve around at least a portion of the equipment using a closure mechanism near the second open end. 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an equipment cover in use to cover a piece of equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the equipment cover of  FIG. 1  in use to cover the piece of equipment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method for installing an equipment cover over a piece of equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a method for removing an equipment cover from a piece of equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0012]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0013]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide an equipment cover that may prevent the covered equipment from contamination due to blood born pathogens and contrast materials. The equipment cover may be easily secured to the equipment and may be easily removed without splattering or dripping any collected contaminants from the cover onto the covered equipment. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an equipment cover  10  may be used to cover a piece of equipment  20  in order to protect the equipment  20  against contamination from bloodborne pathogens and contrast materials, thereby helping to keep the equipment  20  sterile. 
         [0015]    The equipment cover  10  may be a sleeve that may be cylindrical in shape with first and second open ends  10 A and  10 B, respectively. In one embodiment, the equipment cover  10  may be made of polyethylene and may be about 54-inches long and have a circumference of about 44-inches. The equipment cover  10  may have an elastic mechanism  12 , such as an elastic band, that is disposed around at least a portion of the first open end  10 A. The equipment cover  10  may also have a closure mechanism  16 , such as an adhesive, sticky-face tape, hook and loop system, tie, rubber band, or any other appropriate mechanism, near its second open end  10 B. 
         [0016]    A removal mechanism, such as a razor  18 , may be included with or attached to the equipment cover  10  to slice open the equipment cover  10  for easy removal after use. For example, the razor  18  may be attached to the elastic mechanism  12 . Alternatively, other removal mechanisms, such as a zipper, may be used to easily secure and remove the equipment cover  10 . 
         [0017]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the equipment cover  10  may be used in a medical setting to cover a piece of equipment  20  that may include a computed tomography (CT) injector  26 , a base  22 , a stand  24 , and wheels  28 . When the CT injector  26  is in use, the equipment cover  10  may cover the base  22  and the stand  24  while leaving the CT injector  26  uncovered, so that the CT injector  26  may be used while preventing contrast and blood splatter from reaching the base  22  and the stand  24 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of a method for installing the equipment cover  10  over the piece of equipment  20 . At  302 , the equipment cover  10  may be removed from any packaging and may be unfolded. At  304 , a user installing the equipment cover  10  may grasp the first open end  10 A of the equipment cover  10  and pull the equipment cover  10  over the CT Injector  26  through the first open end  10 A. At  306 , the user may continue pulling the equipment cover  10  so that the first open end  10 A reaches the base  22  of the equipment  10  and may stretch the elastic mechanism  12  to secure the elastic mechanism  12  under the base  22  and above any wheels  28  under the base  22 . 
         [0019]    At  308 , any excess material in the upper portion of the equipment cover  10  may be pulled upwards and gathered around the stand  24 . At  310 , the closure mechanism  16 , such as double-faced securing tape, may be used to fasten or adhere the equipment cover  10  tightly around the stand  24  so that the second open end  10 B is closed around the stand  24 . At  312 , the installation of the equipment cover  10  may be complete. The equipment cover  10  may be changed daily to ensure a sanitary environment. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a method for removing the equipment cover  10  from the piece of equipment  20 . The method is described below with further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . At  402 , the closure mechanism  16  may be pulled apart to allow the equipment cover  10  to slightly unfold. At  404 , the razor  18  attached to the equipment cover  10  may be used to slice the equipment cover  10  from the first open end  10 A upwards towards the second open end  10 B. Alternatively, if the equipment cover  10  includes a zipper that runs from the first open end  10 A to the second open end  10 B, the zipper may be unzipped. At  406 , the equipment cover  10  may be held from the inside and may be rolled outwards away from the equipment  20  into a ball, thereby preventing any contaminants from reaching the user or the equipment  20 . At  408 , the used equipment cover  20  may be disposed of following appropriate procedures 
         [0021]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.