UNIVERSAL STERILIZING TOOL

• US 20100064456A1
• Filed: 11/23/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1Worldvista Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Ferlic
• Inventors: Ferlic, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,252,247 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/104.940
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/235 cellular, porous or foamed
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3106 Plugs for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/20 Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes

Abstract

The sterilizing tool is configured to wipe debris from and to sterilize and/or dry a working end-site of medical device; using a wiping, twisting, dabbing, push/pull, and/or screwing motion around all of the surface aspects of the device to be sterilized. Additionally, the sterilizing tool is configured to form fit to the surfaces of the end-site and to apply an inclusive layer of an anti-pathogenic agent to the inner and outer surfaces of the working end-site. The sterilizing tool may be frictionally engaged with and retained on the working end-site until removed and the end-site is ready for use. The sterilizing tool is intended for a one time, single use, disposable application.

Claims

1. A contoured sterilizing tool for wiping, sterilizing and conforming to surfaces of a working end-site of a medical device, the contoured sterilizing tool comprising:

a resilient sheet of material including a planar surface; and

a contoured sterilizing element transposed in the resilient sheet such that it projects away from the planar surface, the sterilizing element defining a cavity comprising an inner surface configured to conform and contour to and contact and to engage an outer surface of the working end-site of the medical device and a raised base portion configured to conform and contour to and contact and to engage an inner surface of the working end-site of the medical device.

2. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing element further defines an outwardly projecting portion having an outer surface shaped to conform and to contour to and to contact the outer and inner surfaces of the working end-site of the medical device.

3. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the outwardly projecting portion includes one or more raised structures configured to conform and to contact the surfaces of the working end-site of the medical device.

4. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly projecting portion comprises a recessed portion having an outer shape complementary to an inner shape of the raised base portion of the cavity.

5. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly projecting portion is adapted to expand from a compressed configuration to an un-compressed configuration.

6. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the cavity further comprises one or more raised surface features configured to conform to and contact the surfaces of the working end-site of the medical device.

7. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet of material is impregnated with an anti-pathogenic agent.

8. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the planar surface of the resilient sheet includes a plurality of surface texturing features.

9. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 2, wherein the outwardly projecting portion comprises a finger grip.

10. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a visual change reactant that when applied to the working end-site, visually indicates that the end-site has been contacted with the sterilizing tool.

11. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the contoured sterilizing tool further comprises an anti-pathogenic agent and is adapted to produce a visual change on a working end-site including a surface treatment adapted to produce a visual change when contacted with the anti-pathogenic agent.

12. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a visual change reactant that is adapted to react with a surface coating or treatment on a working end-site to produce a visual change on the working end-site.

13. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet is visually translucent, transparent or optically clear.

14. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing tool is adapted to undergo a visual change.

15. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing tool is adapted to undergo a visual change in response to manual pressure applied to the sterilizing tool.

16. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 7, wherein the sterilizing tool leaves a residual anti-pathogenic agent on the end-site when removed from the end-site.

17. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the tool is sized and shaped to be held in a single hand by the user.

18. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a silicone or latex free rubber.

19. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing tool further comprises a microporous, microtextured or micropattern, surface adapted to undergo a visual change.

20. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, wherein the sterilizing tool further comprises a microporous, microtextured or micropatterned surface for detailed sterilizing of the working end-site.

21. The contoured sterilizing tool according to claim 1, further comprising a packaging wherein the contoured sterilizing tool is contained within the packaging and can be removed therefrom.