METHOD AND MATERIAL FOR COATING ELECTRO-CAUTERY PROBES AND MASKING SURGICAL ODOR

1 . A coating for lubricating an electro-cautery probe of a cauterization device to resist sticking of tissue on the electro-cautery probe and mask the odor of cauterizing tissue, the coating comprising:

an amphiphilic lipid; and

an odor-masking compound;

wherein the odor-masking compound is a scented compound.

2 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein the scented compound is biocompatible.

3 . The coating of claim 2 , wherein the scented compound is selected from the group consisting of hexyl acetate, fructone, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, and combinations thereof.

4 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein the scented compound comprises a lactone.

5 . The coating of claim 1 , wherein the amphiphilic lipid comprises lecithin.

6 . A kit for masking a cauterizing odor generated by an electro-cautery probe comprising:

a lubricating coating comprising an amphiphilic lipid;

a plurality of scent containers, each containing a biocompatible scented compound;

a container containing the lubricating coating and having headspace to receive a biocompatible scented compound; and

a pad having a top surface formed to receive a portion of the coating.

7 . The kit of claim 6 , wherein the lubricating coating, the biocompatible scented compounds, the containers, and the pad are sterile.

8 . The kit of claim 6 , wherein each container of the plurality of containers of biocompatible scented compounds contain a different biocompatible scented compound.

9 . The kit of claim 6 , further comprising a cauterization device having at least one electro-cautery probe.

10 . An electro-cautery probe for attachment to and use with a cauterization device to cut and/or cauterize tissue of a patient in surgery, the electro-cautery probe comprising:

at least one surface configured to contact a patient's tissue to be cut and/or cauterized; and

a coating comprising an odor-masking compound on the at least one surface.

11 . The electro-cautery probe of claim 10 , wherein the odor-masking compound is a biocompatible scented compound selected from the group consisting of hexyl acetate, fructone, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, a lactone, and combinations thereof.

12 . The electro-cautery probe of claim 10 , wherein the coating further comprises lecithin.

13 . A method of coating an electro-cautery probe in an operating room comprising:

providing a cauterization device having at least one electro-cautery probe;

providing a container of an odor-masking liquid coating for masking odor generated at the tip of the at least one electro-cautery probe; and

applying the odor-masking liquid coating to the tip of the electro-cautery probe.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing a container of lubricating liquid coating for lubricating the at least one electro-cautery probe and applying the lubricating liquid coating in the container to the tip of the electro-cautery probe.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing a container of lubricating liquid coating; and combining the odor-masking liquid coating and the lubricating liquid coating; wherein applying the odor-masking liquid coating comprises applying the combined odor-masking liquid coating and the lubricating liquid coating.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the container is a spray bottle and applying the odor-masking liquid coating includes spraying the odor-masking liquid coating onto the at least one electro-cautery probe.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the spray bottle is a pump-driven spray bottle.

18 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

attaching a first pad having a top surface to receive a portion of a first coating to an area adjacent a cauterization site prior to the cauterization procedure,

dipping a tip of the electro-cautery probe into the first coating provided on the top surface of the first pad prior to cauterizing a patient's tissue;

attaching a second pad having a top surface to receive a portion of a second coating to an area adjacent the cauterization site prior to the cauterization procedure,

dipping a tip of the electro-cautery probe into the second coating provided on the top surface of the second pad prior to cauterizing the patient's tissue.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the dipping steps are repeated during the cauterization procedure as often as necessary.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the first coating comprises the lubricating liquid coating and the second coating comprises the odor-masking liquid coating.