Stethoscope dispenser for disinfectant wipes

Abstract

A stethoscope dispenser includes a container for storing the disinfectant wipes, a fastener operatively connected to the container and adapted to removably connect the container to a tube of a stethoscope, and a manual input on the container for initiating dispensement of the disinfectant wipes. The container may provide an open position for dispensing the disinfectant wipes and a closed position for preserving fluid on the disinfectant wipes. The disinfectant wipes are preferably tearable. A motor may be disposed within the container and operatively connected to the manual input such that operation of the manual input advances at least one of the disinfectant wipes. Alternatively, a purely mechanical design can be used. The fastener preferably snaps or clips to the stethoscope.

1 . A stethoscope dispenser for dispensing disinfectant wipes, comprising: a container for storing the disinfectant wipes; 
 a fastener operatively connected to the container and adapted to removably connect the container to a tube of a stethoscope;    a manual input on the container for initiating dispensement of the disinfectant wipes.    
   
   
       2 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the disinfectant wipes are tearable.  
   
   
       3 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the container provides an open position for dispensing the disinfectant wipes and a closed position for preserving fluid on the wipes.  
   
   
       4 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a motor disposed within the container and operatively connected to the manual input such that operation of the manual input advances at least one of the disinfectant wipes.  
   
   
       5 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the manual input mechanically advances at least one of the disinfectant wipes.  
   
   
       6 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the fastener snaps to the tube of the stethoscope.  
   
   
       7 . A stethoscope dispenser, comprising: 
 a plurality of disinfectant wipes;    a container for storing the disinfectant wipes, the disinfectant wipes disposed within the container; and    a fastener operatively connected to the container and adapted to removably connect the container to stethoscope.    
   
   
       8 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  wherein each of the disinfectant wipes is odorless.  
   
   
       9 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  wherein each of the disinfectant wipes is substantially square in shape.  
   
   
       10 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  wherein each of the disinfectant wipes is impregnated with a pre-applied disinfectant.  
   
   
       11 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  further comprising a manual input on the container for initiating dispensement of at least one of the disinfectant wipes.  
   
   
       12 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the fastener snaps to the stethoscope.  
   
   
       13 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the fastener is operatively connected to a tube of the stethoscope.  
   
   
       14 . The stethoscope dispenser of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of disinfectant wipes includes at least 40 disinfectant wipes.  
   
   
       15 . A method of disinfecting, comprising: 
 accessing a stethoscope dispenser operatively connected to a stethoscope, the stethoscope dispenser comprising (a) a plurality of disinfectant wipes, (b) a container for storing the disinfectant wipes, the disinfectant wipes disposed within the container, and (c) a fastener operatively connected to the container and adapted to removably connect the container to stethoscope;    dispensing at least one disinfectant wipe from the stethoscope dispenser;    disinfecting a surface with the at least one disinfectant wipe dispensed from the stethoscope dispenser.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of disinfecting a surface is disinfecting a skin surface of a patient prior to needle injection.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of disinfecting a surface is disinfecting a health care provider's hands.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the surface is a surface of a bell of the stethoscope.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the surface is a surface of a diaphragm of the stethoscope.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the surface is a surface of an earpiece of the stethoscope.