Apparatus and methods for maintaining a medical device in a clean and disinfected state, and for cleaning and disinfecting a medical device

Abstract

Sleeves and cases for protecting medical devices against contamination, and methods for cleaning and disinfecting medical devices are provided. The various embodiments enable a single medical device to be used by more than one patient successively while reducing the risk of disease transmission from patient to patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An enclosure for an electronic medical device, the enclosure comprising:
 a sleeve configured to receive an electronic medical device having a port;   a first opening in the sleeve sized and configured to allow for insertion of the electronic medical device into the sleeve and removal of the electronic medical device from the sleeve;   a second opening in the sleeve, the second opening being located so as to permit access to the port when the electronic medical device is received within the sleeve;   a first cover configured to adhere to a first portion of the sleeve and to cover the first opening; and   a second cover configured to adhere to a second portion of the sleeve and to cover the second opening.   
     
     
         2 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , further comprising a first adhesive located and configured to secure the first cover to the sleeve at the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The enclosure of  claim 2 , further comprising a second adhesive located and configured to secure the second cover to the sleeve at the second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The enclosure of  claim 3 , wherein the first adhesive comprises a first peel strength, the second adhesive comprises a second peel strength, and the first peel strength is different than the second peel strength. 
     
     
         5 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the first peel strength is greater than the second peel strength. 
     
     
         6 . The enclosure of  claim 4 , wherein the first peel strength is great enough to prevent separation of the first cover from the sleeve without tearing the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the port is at least one of a charging port or a communication port. 
     
     
         8 . The enclosure of  claim 7 , wherein the communication port is a USB port. 
     
     
         9 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyethylene, and low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a first portion comprising a first material and a second portion comprising a second material. 
     
     
         11 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the second material has greater stiffness than the first material. 
     
     
         12 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyethylene, and low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the second portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 
     
     
         14 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the second portion is configured to provide access to the port. 
     
     
         15 . The enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the first opening is surrounded by the first portion, and wherein the second opening is surrounded by the second portion. 
     
     
         16 . The enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening comprises a first slit that extends in a longitudinal direction, and a second slit that extends in a transverse direction. 
     
     
         17 . The enclosure of  claim 16 , wherein a first end of the first slit corresponds to a lengthwise center of the second slit. 
     
     
         18 . The enclosure of  claim 16 , wherein the electronic medical device is configured to display continuous glucose concentration data over a time period. 
     
     
         19 . A method for reprocessing a reusable electronic medical device, the method comprising:
 receiving an electronic medical device from a first user, wherein the electronic medical device is contained in a first protective enclosure;   removing the electronic medical device from the first protective enclosure;   inserting the electronic medical device into a second protective enclosure through an opening in the second protective enclosure;   adhering a cover to the second protective enclosure over the opening; and   providing the electronic medical device contained within the second protective enclosure to a second user.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising creating a disinfected field, wherein removing the electronic medical device from the first protective enclosure and placing the electronic medical device in a second protective enclosure are performed in the disinfected field.