Patent Application
20200253685
The embodiments generally relate to marking pens, and more specifically, relate to single-use surgical marking pens.
In the healthcare field, skin marking devices are utilized to delineate boundaries of the area on a body requiring surgical or medical treatment or monitoring, such as to mark incision sites, to identify areas contacted with allergens, and to monitor the state of skin infections. In other industries, skin marking devices are used to monitor individuals in an event space, mark a tattoo to be affixed, or simply for decorating one's skin.
A constant focus within the healthcare industry is the reduction of infection within a care facility. Since at least the early 19th century, caregivers have begun implementing various procedures, starting with simple handwashing techniques, to reduce the transmission rate of infectious agents in the healthcare setting.
Surgical marking pens are a common device used for a variety of purposes. Although simple to use, due to the ink and ink cartridges, care providers are unable to thoroughly sterilize the pens after each use. Despite that present devices may be disposed of after each use, this practice is costly, enticing some to use the pen in multiple marking events and thus increasing the risk of transmitting infection between patients.
This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The embodiments described herein provide for a single-use surgical marking pen assembly. The assembly comprises a housing configured to at least partially receive an elongated member having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to an ink cartridge terminating in an ink tip while the second end is engaged with a stopper. An plunger end is configured to selectively retract the ink tip into the interior cavity of the housing via the elongated member. A circumferential band is configured to releasably engage with a cap configured to conceal the ink tip when engaged with the circumferential band. A stoppage is positioned on an interior surface of the housing to restrict the movement of the stopper, the restricted movement of the stopper prohibits the extension of the ink tip.
In one aspect, the single-use surgical marker is produced in an in-use configuration which is defined by the extended position of the ink tip.
In one aspect, the user may press the end to result in the retraction of the ink tip into the interior cavity of the housing.
In one aspect, the single-use surgical marking pen is further comprised of a frustoconical terminal end positioned at a second end of the housing. The frustoconical terminal end may be configured to at least partially protrude from the circumferential band.
In another aspect, the frustoconical terminal end is comprised of a biohazard indicator.
In one aspect, the elongated member is a spring-activated elongated member which may be selectively activated by the plunger end following use of the single-use surgical marking pen.
In one aspect, the circumferential band is comprised of a receiver to releasably engage with the cap via a protrusion. The protrusion and receiver engagement deters the reengagement of the cap with the circumferential band once removed.
A complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described apparatus. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only and not unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.
Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the single-use surgical marking pen device.
As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.
The embodiments described herein generally relate to skin marking devices including surgical pens configured as a single-use device by restricting the user from using the surgical pen a second time. The single-use surgical pen is configured to mark skin or a similar proteinaceous surface with an ink composition. It is to be understood that the ink composition may be any ink composition known in the arts and may specifically include ink compositions commonly used in the healthcare industry to mark the skin of a patient.
It should be understood that the surgical marking pen of the present embodiments is applicable to marking the skin of both humans and animals, in connection with any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in which such marking may be helpful.
During production, the single-use surgical marking pen 100 is configured having the ink tip 240 in an extended configuration. A user may remove the cap 205 from the housing 215 by releasing the cap from the circumferential band 210 to expose the ink tip 240. Following use, the user pushes the plunger end 220 to retract the ink tip 240 into the cavity defined by the housing 215 such that the ink tip 240 is unable to perform subsequent use.
To retract the ink tip 240, the user pushes on the plunger end 220 to affect the stopper 225 positioned at an end of the elongated member extending between the stopper 225 and the ink cartridge 235 and ink tip 240. The stopper 225 prohibits the subsequent extension of the ink tip 240, thus configuring the surgical marking pen as a single-use surgical marking pen.
In another embodiment, the single-use surgical marking pen may be produced to permit a single extension and retraction of the ink tip 240 without allowing for subsequent extensions to be performed.
In some embodiments, the elongated member 230 is a spring-activated elongated member affected by the plunger end 220. The elongated member may be comprised of a first end 245 and a second end 250. The first end 245 engages with the ink cartridge 235 terminating in the ink tip 240 while the second end 250 is engaged with the stopper 225.
Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, ail embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.
An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.
