Medical Implement Cleaning Device

Abstract

A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

1 . A cleaning device for a medical implement, the cleaning device comprising:
 a cap having an inner cavity;   a cleaning material disposed within the inner cavity and preloaded with a cleaning agent, the cleaning material comprising a plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members to swab and clean portions of the site of the medical implement with the cleaning agent;   an opening to the inner cavity for receiving the site of the medical implement at least partially into the inner cavity to contact the site with one or more of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members; and   a removable seal attached to the cap at the opening to cover the opening and to maintain the cleaning material and the cleaning agent within the inner cavity prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members is compressible axially against the site of the medical implement. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members is compressible radially against the site of the medical implement. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein at least one other of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members is compressible radially against the site of the medical implement. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning device in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein at least one other of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members is compressible axially against the site of the medical implement. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning material includes an open-cell foam. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning agent includes isopropyl alcohol. 
     
     
         8 . A medical implement cleaning cap comprising:
 a housing that defines an inner cavity;   a cleaning material held within the inner cavity and at least partially saturated with a cleaning agent, the cleaning material comprising a plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members to swab and clean portions of a site of the medical implement with the cleaning agent;   an opening in the housing to the inner cavity for receiving a site of the medical implement at least partially into the inner cavity to contact the site of the medical with one or more of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members; and   a removable seal that encloses the housing to retain the cleaning agent in the cleaning material and prevent evaporation of the cleaning agent prior to removal of the seal.   
     
     
         9 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members are adapted to swab and clean a portion of the site using axial compression and/or radial compression against a portion of the site of the medical implement. 
     
     
         10 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the removable seal includes a foil attached to the opening in the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the cleaning material includes a foam. 
     
     
         12 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the cleaning agent includes isopropyl alcohol. 
     
     
         13 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes an outer surface having a plurality of vertical ridges perpendicular to a plane of the opening of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . A medical implement cleaning cap comprising:
 a housing that defines an inner cavity;   a cleaning material held within the inner cavity, the cleaning material comprising a plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members to swab and clean portions of a site of the medical implement with a cleaning agent that at least partially saturates the cleaning material;   an opening in the housing to the inner cavity for receiving a site of the medical implement at least partially into the inner cavity to contact the site of the medical with one or more of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members; and   a removable seal that encloses the housing to maintain the cleaning material and the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members within the inner cavity prior to removal of the seal.   
     
     
         15 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members are adapted to swab and clean a portion of the site using axial compression and/or radial compression against a portion of the site of the medical implement. 
     
     
         16 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the removable seal includes a foil attached to the opening in the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning material includes a foam. 
     
     
         18 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the cleaning agent includes isopropyl alcohol. 
     
     
         19 . The medical implement cleaning cap in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the housing includes an outer surface having a plurality of vertical ridges perpendicular to a plane of the opening of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . A medical implement cleaning cap comprising:
 a housing that defines an inner cavity;   a cleaning material held within the inner cavity, the cleaning material comprising a plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members to swab and clean portions of a site of the medical implement;   an opening in the housing to the inner cavity for receiving a site of the medical implement at least partially into the inner cavity to contact the site of the medical implement with one or more of the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members; and   a removable seal that encloses the housing to hold the cleaning material and the plurality of independently compressible cleaning material members within the inner cavity prior to removal of the seal.