Hand cleaner system

Abstract

A hand cleaner system for cleaning at least a portion of a human fingernail comprises a nail cleaner tip and a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip. The nail cleaner tip includes a tip surface configured to engage a portion of a human fingernail, and the reservoir contains an antimicrobial solution that in operation may flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip. The system may also include a towelette containing an antimicrobial solution.

1 . A hand cleaner system, comprising: 
 a nail cleaner tip including a tip surface configured to engage a portion of a human fingernail; and    reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip,    wherein a selected amount of an antimicrobial solution is disposed within the reservoir that, in operation, may flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip.    
   
   
       2 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises a flexible tube.  
   
   
       3 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 2 , wherein the tube comprises a puncturable membrane.  
   
   
       4 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises a laminated film.  
   
   
       5 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is sized and dimensioned to contain an amount of solution sufficient to clean the hands and under at least a portion of the fingernails of a user during a surgical scrub procedure.  
   
   
       6 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises a rupturable membrane.  
   
   
       7 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail cleaner tip includes an end portion having a spatulate shape and convex curve when viewed from the side.  
   
   
       8 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail cleaner tip includes a central channel that permits solution to flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip during use.  
   
   
       9 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 1 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is disengageable from the reservoir.  
   
   
       10 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 9 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is threadably disengageable from the reservoir.  
   
   
       11 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 9 , wherein the nail cleaner tip includes a puncture member configured to puncture the reservoir.  
   
   
       12 . A hand cleaner system, comprising: 
 a nail cleaner tip including a tip surface configured to engage a portion of a human fingernail; and    a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip, the reservoir containing a towelette, the towelette containing an antimicrobial solution for use with the nail cleaner tip to clean at least a portion of a human fingernail.    
   
   
       13 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 12 , wherein the reservoir comprises a laminated film.  
   
   
       14 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 12 , wherein the towelette contains an amount of solution sufficient to clean under at least a portion of the fingernails of a user.  
   
   
       15 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 13 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is removably attached to the laminated film.  
   
   
       16 . A method of cleaning hands comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising:    a nail cleaner tip including a tip surface configured to engage a portion of a human fingernail;    a reservoir connected to the nail cleaner tip; and    a selected amount of an antimicrobial solution disposed within the reservoir that, in operation, may flow from the reservoir to the nail cleaner tip;    cleaning under the nails of a clinician by passing the nail cleaner tip between the clinician's nails and skin;    opening the reservoir; and    applying the antimicrobial solution to the clinician's hands.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising delivering the antimicrobial solution through a channel in the nail cleaner tip.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein opening the reservoir comprises removing the nail cleaner tip.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein opening the reservoir comprises unthreading the nail cleaner tip from the reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein opening the reservoir comprises displacing the nail cleaner tip such that it pierces the reservoir.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein opening the reservoir comprises compressing the reservoir such that a membrane of the reservoir ruptures.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a towelette, wherein applying the antimicrobial solution to the clinician's hands comprises wiping the clinician's hands with a towelette including the antimicrobial solution.  
   
   
       23 . A hand cleaner system for clinicians comprising: 
 a flexible reservoir containing a selected amount of an antimicrobial solution for cleaning a clinician's hands prior to performance of a medical procedure; and    a nail cleaner tip including a tip surface configured to selectively engage a portion of a human fingernail,    wherein the flexible reservoir is attached to the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir is adapted to release the antimicrobial solution under the control of the clinician.    
   
   
       24 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , wherein the reservoir is adapted to be directly compressed by the clinician.  
   
   
       25 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is permanently attached to the reservoir.  
   
   
       26 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is removably attached to the reservoir, permitting removal of the nail cleaner tip before or during release of the antimicrobial solution.  
   
   
       27 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is displaceably mounted to the reservoir such that displacement of the nail cleaner tip provides access to the antimicrobial solution in the reservoir.  
   
   
       28 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , wherein the nail cleaner tip is integrally formed with the reservoir.  
   
   
       29 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , further comprising a towelette disposed in the reservoir.  
   
   
       30 . The hand cleaner system of  claim 23 , wherein the reservoir is a foil package and the nail cleaner tip is attached to the package such that removal of the nail cleaner tip opens the reservoir.