Method of Disinfecting Ports in Central Venous Catheter Systems

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to systems for disinfecting Central Venous Catheter (CVC) system ports that use highly-abrasive and highly-conforming foam material in place of wipes or other sponge products, and methods for using such systems. The foam material may be an open-cell microabrasive material such as melamine foam. The foam material may contain disinfecting solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, chlorhexidine gluconate, or povidone-iodine.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a friction force between a shaped foam and a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) system port, wherein the shaped foam contains a disinfecting solution;   listening for an audible feedback resulting from the friction force; and   tailoring the friction force to produce the audible feedback.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audible feedback provides an indication that the friction force is capable of removing a biofilm from the CVC system port. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped foam comprises melamine foam. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfecting solution comprises at least one of a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, a chlorhexidine gluconate solution, and a povidone-iodine solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 directly gripping the shaped foam by hand; and 
 adjusting the gripping of the shaped foam to tailor the friction force. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 releasing the gripping of the shaped foam. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 attaching the shaped foam to the CVC system port, wherein the shaped foam acts as a cap for the CVC system port. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 completely removing the shaped foam and the disinfecting solution contained therein from a liquid-impermeable pouch. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 disposing the shaped foam after a single use. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 producing a sliding friction between a foam scrubber containing disinfecting solution and a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) system port;   listening for a sound resulting from the sliding friction; and   tailoring the sliding friction to produce the sound at a predetermined volume.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined volume is audible to a human. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 removing a biofilm from the CVC system port as a result of the sliding friction. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the foam scrubber comprises melamine foam. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the foam scrubber contains at least one of a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, a chlorhexidine gluconate solution, and a povidone-iodine solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 directly gripping the foam scrubber by hand; and 
 adjusting the gripping of the foam scrubber to tailor the sliding friction. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 releasing the gripping of the foam scrubber. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 capping the CVC system port with the foam scrubber. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 completely removing the foam scrubber and disinfecting solution contained therein from a liquid-impermeable pouch. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 pressing the foam scrubber against the CVC system port in a manner resulting in conformal contact of the foam scrubber simultaneously to a side of the CVC system port and a top of the CVC system port. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 disposing the foam scrubber after a single use.