Disposable stethoscope covers and methods of use

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided including a plurality of instrument covers defining an elongated strip. The strip includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface includes a material having adhesion properties. The strip is arranged in a roll such that the material contacts the second surface to maintain the strip in the roll. Methods of use are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing system comprising a plurality of instrument covers defining an elongated strip, the strip comprising a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface comprising a material having adhesion properties, the strip being arranged in a roll such that the material contacts the second surface to maintain the strip in the roll. 
     
     
         2 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the strip comprises one or more of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyisobutene, poly[ethylene-vinylacetate] copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil, cellophane, vinyl, acetate, polyethylene acrylic, butyl rubber, latex, natural rubber, a nitrile, silicone rubber, a styrene block copolymer, a vinyl ether, latex-free material and a tackifier. 
     
     
         3 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the instrument covers are separated from one another by a series of perforations configured to tear off individual portions. 
     
     
         4 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the instrument covers is configured to cover a head portion of a stethoscope including a diaphragm portion and a surface opposite the diaphragm portion so as to shield the diaphragm and opposite surface from the transfer of microbes from a patient.   
     
     
         5 . A dispensing system according to  claim 4 , the instrument covers are constructed from a form fitting material configured to removably form fit around the diaphragm and the surface opposite the diaphragm of the stethoscope when arranged about the head of the stethoscope. 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the instrument cover is acoustically transmissive and substantially impermeable to microorganisms and fluids. 
     
     
         7 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the material, the first surface and the second surface comprises an antimicrobial substance that can neutralize or destroy microbes. 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second surface has non-stick properties. 
     
     
         9 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second surface is glossy. 
     
     
         10 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second surface is coated with a powder to prevent the material from permanently adhering to the second surface. 
     
     
         11 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a housing comprising an antimicrobial material, the housing being configured for mounting on a vertical surface or a horizontal surface, the housing including an inner surface defining a cavity configured to accept and house the roll so that a first end of the strip extends through an outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the antimicrobial material comprises silver. 
     
     
         13 . A dispensing system according to  claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises an antimicrobial ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         14 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser is disposable. 
     
     
         15 . A dispensing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises one or more of an antimicrobial material and an antiseptic material. 
     
     
         16 . A method for dispensing instrument covers comprising:
 providing an elongated strip defining a plurality of instrument covers separated from one another by a series of perforations, the strip comprising a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface comprising a material having adhesion properties, the strip being arranged in a roll such that the material contacts the second surface to maintain the strip in the roll;   providing a housing configured for mounting on a vertical surface or a horizontal surface, the housing including an inner surface defining a cavity;   disposing the roll within the cavity such that a first end of the strip is aligned with an opening in the housing;   rotating the roll in a first direction about a transverse axis such that the first end of the strip translates axially through the opening;   providing a stethoscope comprising a diaphragm and an opposite head;   breaking off the instrument cover that engages the stethoscope from the strip; and   engaging the first surface with the diaphragm and the head.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the instrument covers is configured to cover a head portion of a stethoscope including a diaphragm portion and a surface opposite the diaphragm portion so as to shield the diaphragm and opposite surface from the transfer of microbes from a patient. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the instrument covers is acoustically transmissive and substantially impermeable to microorganisms and fluids. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the vertical surface is a wall of a room and the horizontal surface is an upper surface of a desk or bench. 
     
     
         20 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a plurality of instrument covers defining an elongated strip, the instrument covers being acoustically transmissive and substantially impermeable to microorganisms and fluids, the instrument covers being separated from one another by a series of perforations, the strip comprising a first surface and an opposite second surface having non-stick properties, the first surface comprising a material having adhesion properties, the strip being arranged in a roll such that the material contacts the second surface to maintain the strip in the roll;   a housing comprising an antimicrobial material, the housing being configured for mounting on a vertical surface or a horizontal surface, the housing including an inner surface defining a cavity having an antimicrobial ultraviolet light source and the roll disposed therein such that a first end of the strip extends through an opening in the housing; and   a stethoscope including a diaphragm and an opposite head, each of the instrument covers being sized and configured to removably cover the diaphragm and the head simultaneously by form-fitting a respective first surface with outer surfaces of the diaphragm and the head,   wherein the strip comprises one or more of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyisobutene, poly[ethylene-vinylacetate] copolymer, lightweight aluminum foil, cellophane, vinyl, acetate, polyethylene acrylic, butyl rubber, latex, natural rubber, a nitrile, silicone rubber, a styrene block copolymer, a vinyl ether, latex-free material and a tackifier,   wherein the material comprises one or more of a cellophane, vinyl, acetate, polyethylene acrylic, butyl rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate, natural rubber, a nitrile, silicone rubber, a styrene block copolymer, a vinyl ether and a tackifier, and   wherein at least one of the material, the first surface and the second surface comprises an antimicrobial substance that can neutralize or destroy microbes.