Applicator for dispensing a surgical prep solution
An applicator for delivering a surgical prep solution onto a bodily surface includes a hollow member having a reservoir, an absorbent pad that is attached to a portion of the hollow member and in communication with the reservoir, a timer operably connected to the hollow member, and a gating mechanism in electrical communication with the timer and for coordinating application of the surgical prep solution with activation of the timer.
1. An applicator for dispensing a surgical prep solution onto a bodily surface, said applicator comprising:
a hollow member including a reservoir;
an absorbent pad attached to a portion of said hollow member, said absorbent pad being in fluid communication with said reservoir;
a timer operably connected to said hollow member; and
a gating mechanism for coordinating application of the surgical prep solution with activation of said timer, said gating mechanism being in electrical communication with said timer;
wherein release of the surgical prep solution from said reservoir is prevented until said timer is activated.
2. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein said timer is physically integrated with a portion of said hollow member.
3. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein said timer is capable of generating at least one signal.
4. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein said at least one signal comprises an audible signal or a visible signal.
5. The applicator of claim 4 , wherein said timer generates an audible and/or visible signal upon application of the surgical prep solution onto the bodily surface for a period of time sufficient to allow evaporation of the surgical prep solution from the bodily surface.
6. The applicator of claim 4 , wherein said timer generates an audible and/or visible signal after a period of time sufficient to allow evaporation of the surgical prep solution from the bodily surface.
7. The applicator of claim 1 , further including a communication protocol configured to communicate with an electronic medical record (EMR) of a patient undergoing a medical procedure in which said apparatus is being used, wherein communication between said communication protocol and said EMR documents safety compliance during the medical procedure.
8. A method for applying a surgical prep solution to a bodily surface, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an applicator comprising a hollow member including a reservoir, an absorbent pad that is attached to a portion of the hollow member and in communication with the reservoir, a timer operably connected to the hollow member, and a gating mechanism in electrical communication with the timer and for coordinating application of the surgical prep solution with activation of the timer;
dispensing the surgical prep solution onto the bodily surface while the timer generates at least one signal; and
commencing a medical procedure once the at least one signal is no longer perceptible.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one signal comprises an audible signal or a visible signal.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein release of the surgical prep solution from the reservoir is prevented until the timer is activated.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said step of providing an applicator further comprises providing a communication protocol configured to communicate with an EMR of a patient undergoing the medical procedure, wherein communication between the communication protocol and the EMR documents safety compliance during the medical procedure.
12. A method for applying a surgical prep solution to a bodily surface, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an applicator comprising a hollow member including a reservoir, an absorbent pad that is attached to a portion of the hollow member and in communication with the reservoir, a timer operably connected to the hollow member, and a gating mechanism in electrical communication with the timer and for coordinating application of the surgical prep solution with activation of the timer;
dispensing the surgical prep solution onto the bodily surface; and
waiting to commence a medical procedure until the timer generates at least one signal.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein prior to said dispensing step the surgical prep solution is caused to contact the absorbent pad and activate the timer but without generating the at least one signal.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one signal comprises an audible signal or a visible signal.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein release of the surgical prep solution from the reservoir is prevented until the timer is activated.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of providing an applicator further comprises providing a communication protocol configured to communicate with an EMR of a patient undergoing the medical procedure, wherein communication between the communication protocol and the EMR documents safety compliance during the medical procedure.
17. A method for applying a surgical prep solution to a bodily surface, said method comprising the steps of:
providing an applicator comprising a hollow member including a reservoir, an absorbent pad that is attached to a portion of the hollow member and in communication with the reservoir, a timer operably connected to the hollow member, and a gating mechanism in electrical communication with the timer and for coordinating application of the surgical prep solution with activation of the timer;
dispensing the surgical prep solution onto the bodily surface while the timer generates a first signal;
discontinuing application of the surgical prep solution when the timer generates a second signal; and
commencing a medical procedure.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of providing an applicator further comprises providing a communication protocol configured to communicate with an EMR of a patient undergoing the medical procedure, wherein communication between the communication protocol and the EMR documents safety compliance during the medical procedure.