METHOD FOR SANITIZING A MEDICAL DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR

FOR THE LOCAL TREATMENT OF THE SKIN

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin.

There are various types of medical devices on the market comprising a handpiece (e.g. electric, radio or laser scalpels) for treating the skin.

Background art

Italian patent no. 266638 describes a handpiece able to emit high voltage currents for treating the skin.

The handpiece has an electrode of the electric or radio scalpel type, for treating skin blemishes without causing bleeding.

Italian patent no. 1417078 in the name of the Applicant has instead a handpiece to which a bracelet is connected containing a capacitive element connected to the handpiece electrode. In this way, by gripping the handpiece during the treatment of the patient, the operator becomes an extension of the antenna and thus induces an increase in energy carried onto the patient over the airwaves.

The use of the handpiece for the ablation of organic tissues poses risks due to cross infections. In fact, during the ablation it can happen that some epithelial particles come detached and become bacterial inocula.

Furthermore, the actual rough surface of the handpiece becomes a carrier of viruses and bacteria. The periodic sanitization of the handpiece - with known methods and substances - may have the following undesired effects:

- formation of bio-films on the surface of the handpiece;

- spread of resistant bacteria.

Furthermore, during the use of the handpiece strong and pungent smells can be given off. These olfactory problems are sometimes synonymous with an infection since some airborne bacterial species can proliferate feeding on epithelial particles dispersed in the air.

Disclosure of the invention

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to propose a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to propose a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, which is easy to implement and more effective than known sanitization methods.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, which prevents the formation of bio-films and the spread of resistant bacteria.

The specified technical objective and the set aims are substantially attained by a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence non- limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 schematically illustrates a step of a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, according to the present invention;

figure 2 illustrates a method for sanitizing a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, treated with the propose method, in a perspective view.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention With reference to the figures, number 1 indicates a medical device, in particular for the local treatment of the skin.

For example, the device 1 can be applied in dermatological surgery in the medical and/or aesthetic treatment of the skin. By way of example, the device 1 is used for treating wrinkles or skin blemishes such as keloids, moles or skin blotches.

The device 1 can also be used in podology, for example, for treating corns.

The device 1 can also be used in veterinary medicine.

The method for sanitizing a medical device, according to the present invention, is described below.

A first area 5 of the medical device 1 , intended to come into contact with the patient's skin, is treated with a cleanser based on food grade orthophosphoric acid. In this way, the bio-film which has formed in the surface of the device 1 during use is removed.

Preferably, the treatment is performed by wiping a cloth soaked in such cleanser over the first area 5.

In this context, the term "cloth" means a piece of fabric or paper or sponge. The first area 5 of the device 1 is usually rough, i.e. not smooth.

Subsequently, a fluid mixture containing metal ions is deposited.

For example, the metal ions are gold and/or silver and/or iridium ions. The metal ions are deposited on the first area 5 and form clusters 6, as shown in figure 1 .

For example, the clusters 6 have a thickness comprised between 240 nm and 500 nm and are preferably tapered to a point.

Preferably, the fluid mixture containing metal ions is a colloidal (aerosol) system and the deposit on the first area 5 takes place by spraying.

In an embodiment, the first area 5 is made by plastic material moulding.

Advantageously, the fluid mixture is deposited on the first area 5 during the moulding.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a medical device 1 which can be sanitized with the method proposed here.

The device 1 comprises a handpiece 2 having an electrode adapted to emit a flow of energy. The electrode is of the known type (therefore is not illustrated) and is chosen by shape and dimensions according to the particular skin blemish to be treated, i.e. the electrode is interchangeable. The device 1 further comprises a bracelet 4 operatively connected to the handpiece 2. In the embodiment illustrated, the bracelet 4 and the handpiece 2 are connected via a cable 7.

The bracelet 4 houses a control logic of the energy flow and a battery for supplying such logic.

The bracelet 4 has an adjustment and display panel 8, operatively connected to the control logic to allow the operator parameters to be adjusted and the charge status of the battery to be displayed.

In an alternative embodiment, the communication of signals of the control logic between the bracelet 4 and the handpiece 2 is of the wireless type. In this device 1 , the first area 5 subject to sanitization may comprise the whole external surface or a portion of the external surface of the handpiece 2 and/or the whole external surface or a portion of the external surface of the bracelet 4.

The step of cleansing the first area 5 and the step of depositing the fluid mixture are performed at the start only once.

Every time the device 1 needs to be sanitized, it is sufficient to treat the first area 5 (on which the noble metals have been deposited) with water or an aqueous solution so that native oxygen pairs are released.

Preferably, the treatment with water (or aqueous solution) takes place by wiping the first area 5 with a cloth soaked in water (or aqueous solution). The characteristics of the method for sanitizing a medical device, as well as the advantages thereof, in particular for the local treatment of the skin, appear clear from the above description.

In particular, depositing metal ions only once makes the treated surface bacteriostatic. In fact, the bacterial membranes are attacked and "punctured" by the pointed noble metal clusters which, upon contact with water (for example by rubbing with a wet cloth) release native oxygen pairs.

The method is simple, quick and cheap, since the initial elimination of the bio-film and the deposit of metal ions are performed only once (potentially during the moulding step), after which it is sufficient to wipe with a cloth soaked in water / aqueous solution to stimulate the production of natural oxygen.