WO2008110758A1

WO2008110758A1 - Writing instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2008110758A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Marie Jones; Jonathan William Stollery
Original assignee: Schriptor Limited
Priority date: 2007-03-12
Filing date: 2008-03-05
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: GB2447449A; GB2447449B; GB0704703D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to control of infectious cross-contamination from writing instruments in a clinical environment. The writing instrument (2), comprises an elongate body (6), said body having towards one end a grip portion (10) including a writing nib (17) by which a user may hold and use the writing instrument, and having towards the other end a label portion (12) for presenting legible information, wherein the grip portion (10) extends along a first axis (14) and the label portion (12) extends along a second axis (16), said axes (14, 16) being inclined (α) with respect to each other. The writing instrument (2) may be mounted on mount (4), having a receptacle (34) for receiving and temporarily holding the pen (2) when not in use.

Description

Writing Instrument

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to control of infectious cross-contamination from writing instruments in a clinical environment.

b. Related Art

The control of infection of patients in hospitals, clinics, and doctors' surgeries has become an ever more pressing concern with the rise of infectious bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, in particular methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MSRA). In the United Kingdom alone there are thought to be about 5,000 deaths a year from infections caught in hospitals but some experts believe the number could be as high as 20,000.

Research has shown that high levels of MRSA are present on everyday items in hospitals. Samples taken from an intensive care unit at a London hospital found MRSA on charts, bins, pens, medical notes, phones and computer keyboards. There was also MRSA present on staff aprons and hands. The most common route for MRSA infection is between patients or via a doctor or nurse. Hospital staff can spread MRSA by using such items after having contact with patients.

Research has also shown that if someone has MRSA on their hands, the bacteria would be left on the next four surfaces touched by that person. Once MRSA is on an item it will remain there for up to 80 days unless that item is cleaned.

Patent document WO 2006/100423 therefore proposes the use in clinical environments of single-use pens in order to control and reduce cross- contamination of bacteria, viruses and fungi. The single-use pens have ink sufficient only for a single use by a doctor or nurse when writing notes at a patient's bed-side. After notes have been written, the pen is immediately discarded so that the health care professional does not transmit any infectious organisms or agents on the pen to the next patient's bed-side.3

Although such pens are effective when properly used, users may still carry with them multiple use pens. If the single use pens are not conventionally shaped and easy and convenient to use, then a person may still prefer to use their own multiple use pen. There is also the risk that a single use pen dispenser may run out of pens, in which case the person will be forced to use their own pen.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more convenient and reliable arrangement for dispensing hand-held items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a writing instrument, comprising an elongate body, said body having towards one end a grip portion including a writing nib by which a user may hold and use the writing instrument, and having towards the other end a label portion for presenting legible information, wherein the grip portion extends along a first axis and the label portion extends along a second axis, said axes being inclined with respect to each other.

The writing instrument may be any hand-writing instrument which dispenses by friction, by contact, or otherwise a substance on a writing medium. Examples include a pen having its own supply of ink, for example a ballpoint pen or a felt tip pen, or non-ink based writing instruments such as a wax tip pen and also graphite tip writing instruments such as a pencil.

Because of the inclination of the first and second axes, a user may hold the writing instrument in such a way that the label portion is oriented so that a hand-written label or other type of readable indication on the label portion is angled towards a user's line of sight so that the user may more readily view the legible information presented by the label portion. In a clinical environment, this provides the advantage that each patient or station may be assigned a dedicated writing instrument labelled with information identifying the writing instrument as belonging to that patient or station. A user of the writing instrument may then more easily confirm that the writing instrument being used is the correct one for that patient or station.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the label portion includes a labelling surface on which the legible information is presented. The labelling surface is preferably a flat surface to make it easier for a user to affix a label to the surface or to write either on a label affixed to the surface or on the surface directly.

Also in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the labelling surface extends at a reflex angle (that is, an angle greater than 180° to the first axis). Preferably, the reflex angle is greater than about 185° and less than 230°, and is most preferably between about 190° and 200°.

The writing instrument is preferably shaped such that it will lie on a flat supporting surface in a stable orientation with the labelling surface facing upwards. This helps to keep the labelling surface clean, and also facilitates writing by hand on the labelling surface when this is being first used.

Similarly, the writing instrument may be shaped such that it will not lie on a flat supporting surface in a stable orientation with the labelling surface contacting the supporting surface.

In order to give the maximum space for entering information on the label portion, and also to remind users to that the writing instrument is dedicated to use in a particular location, the label portion is preferably at least as long as the grip portion.

The grip portion may have a substantially round cross-sectional profile and the label portion may have a substantially elongate cross-sectional profile. Also according to the invention, there is provided a writing instrument assembly, comprising writing instrument and a mount, wherein the writing instrument is according to the invention, the mount having a receptacle for receiving and temporarily holding the pen when not in use.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mount has a base plate adapted for fixing to a vertical mounting surface, the receptacle holding the writing instrument with the label portion outermost with respect to the base plate.

The writing instrument and the receptacle may be configured to hold the writing instrument so that the label portion has a preferential orientation with respect to the base plate. Therefore, when a user returns the writing instrument to the mount, the label portion is oriented in a preferred orientation so that the next user can more easily read the information and verify that the writing instrument is being used at the correct location.

The base plate preferably includes a bracket for attachment to a vertical surface, for example a wall, and also a face plate which is then removeably attached to the bracket when the bracket is affixed to the vertical surface. The bracket may then include at least one location feature for removeably locating the face plate on the bracket, with the bracket including at least one corresponding engagement feature for removeably engaging with this location feature. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the (or each) location feature is a slot having an overhang and the corresponding engagement feature is a projection adapted to slideably engage in the corresponding slot with said overhang. The bracket may include a pair of opposite straight side edges, in which case, the face plate may include a pair of rails for orienting the engagement feature(s) with the corresponding engagement feature(s) prior to engagement of the engagement feature(s) with the corresponding location feature(s). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a pen holder assembly, comprising a pen and a pen holder suitable for mounting on a wall, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the pen holder assembly of Figure 1 , showing the pen when removed from the pen holder and with the pen holder disassembled into its constituent parts;

Figures 3 and 4 are views of, respectively, the front and one side of the pen holder assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a cross-section view through the pen holder assembly, taken along line V-V of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a view of the rear of the pen holder assembly of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 - 6 show a pen holder assembly 1, comprising a ball point pen 2 and a pen holder or mount 4 suitable for mounting on a wall 5 or other vertical surface. The pen 2 has an elongate body 6 having towards one end 8 a grip portion 10 and towards the other end a label portion 12. As shown most clearly in Figure 5, the grip portion extends along a first axis 14 and the label portion 12 extends along a second axis 16 which is inclined at an angle α with respect to the first axis 14.

The grip portion has an essentially circular cross-section with a variable diameter at each point along its axis 14 and includes at one end 17 a conical writing nib 18 by which a user may hold and use the pen 2. The label portion 12 has a non-circular cross section which becomes increasingly flattened towards a flared end 19 opposite the nib end 17 of the body 6. The label portion therefore tapers towards a blade-like tip at the end 19 of the body 6.

The label portion 12 includes a labelling surface 22. Although the labelling surface may be provided by an adhered label, in this example the labelling surface 22 is a writable surface integral with the pen's body. The labelling surface 22 is therefore adapted to receive hand-writing identifying the patient or station at which the writing instrument is to be used.

Before use of the pen, information pertaining to the locality in which the pen is to be used, for example a patient's name, is written by hand on the labelling surface 22. The label portion is not axially symmetric, but the axis 16 of the label portion 12 may conveniently be defined by the direction or plane of the labelling surface 22. In this example, the labelling surface 22 is planar and extends at about 195° to the axis 14 of the grip portion 10.

It should be noted that a rear surface 24 of the label portion 12, on a side of the body 6 opposite the labelling surface 22, is more nearly parallel with the profile of the grip portion 10, than is the labelling surface 22 itself. The label portion 12 also includes on its rear surface 24 a stabilising feature, in the form shallow cylindrical projection 26 extending transverse to the second axis 16. The stabilising feature

26 together with the nearly parallel orientation of the between the grip portion 10 and label portion 12 on the side of the body opposite the labelling surface 24, provides a stable platform when the pen rests on a horizontal flat surface so that a user can easily write on the labelling surface 22.

The pen is shaped so that when a user grips the grip portion 10, the pen 2 feels most comfortable in a single orientation, with the labelling surface 22 uppermost. In this way, the information on the labelling surface 22 can be read by the user while using the pen for writing. The pen 2 includes a non-replaceable ink cartridge 27 with sufficient ink 35 for multiple uses of the pen.

Both the pen 2 and mount 4 incorporate silver ion additives which kill most known pathogens within one to two hours, thus helping to prevent the build up of lethal micro-organisms on the surfaces. It may not always be possible to incorporate such additives with the labelling surface 22, which is preferably adapted to be written on or to receive a self-adhesive label. Therefore, the grip portion 10 and label portion 12 are preferably separated by a rim 28 which is raised with respect to the grip portion. This helps to reduce contact between a user and that labelling surface 22.

The pen mount 4 has a base plate 25 which includes a bracket 30 adapted for fixing to a vertical surface 5. In this example, the bracket 30 is secured to the vertical surface 5 by means of a pair of screws 31 seated in clearance holes 32 in the bracket 30.

The base plate 25 also includes a face plate 29 that is removeably secured to and conceals the bracket 30. After the bracket 30 has been secured to the vertical surface 5, the face place 29 is offered up to the bracket. The face plate 29 has on a rear surface 37 a pair of vertically parallel rails 38 which engage loosely with opposite vertical sides 39 of the bracket 30. This helps to centre the face plate 29 on the bracket 30 so that a pair of vertically offset lugs 43 extending rearwards from the rear surface 37 of the face plate 29 are correctly located within a corresponding pair of vertically extending slots 42 in the bracket 30.

Each slot 42 has an upper wide end 44 and a narrow lower end 45. Each slot 42 has around its perimeter an overhang 46 into which is seated a matching projection 48 on each of the lugs 43. Therefore, as the face plate 29 is moved downwards, the lugs 43 slot into engagement with the narrow ends 45 of the slots 42. If the face plate 29 becomes damaged or contaminated, this can be removed and replaced by reversing this procedure. The base plate 25 has on a front surface 50 of the face plate 29 a receptacle 34 held within a cup 36 for holding the writing instrument 2 in an orientation in which the labelling surface 22 of the label portion 12 is oriented outwards with respect to the bracket 30 and the wall 5.

The receptacle 34 is a tapered sleeve, open at both ends, seated in the cup 36 which projects from on a lower portion 52 of the face plate front surface 50. The receptacle 34 has an asymmetric shape which matches that of the grip portion 10 proximate the nib 18. The contact interface between the receptacle 34 and the grip portion is such that the pen will not fall out when properly inserted.

The pen 2 has a preferential orientation with the receptacle 34 so that label portion 12 always orientates in a preferred way when placed in the holder. As shown in Figure 5, when the pen 2 is correctly mounted in the mount 4 in the preferential orientation, the label portion 22 is parallel with the vertical mounting surface 5. The axis 16 of the label portion 12 is therefore generally parallel with the bracket 30 and the vertical surface 5 to which the bracket 30 is secured. This helps to ensure that when a pen 2 is returned to its mount 4, the pen always presents the same face to the user, so that the labelling surface 22 can be easily read.

The invention provides several advantages in a clinical environment which help to prevent cross infection. Each patient or work area may have a dedicated pen 2, which sits in the mount 4 beside a bed, a desk or any other location where control of movement of writing instruments is desired. The design described above provides for the patient's name (and other details if required) to be affixed to or written onto the labelling surface 22 on the pen, effectively dedicating the pen to that patient or locality, and negating the need for infection carrying pens to be carried from patient to patient or from area to area by medical staff.

In the case of a patient, the dedicated pen is for use by the medical staff for this patient only, but the pen can also be used by the patient. This helps to deal with the problems presented by medical staff carrying pens or by patients borrowing contaminated communal pens from healthcare staff or from other patients. This substantialiy removes the risk of the pens acting as a vector for disease within a clinical environment.

The grip portion of the pen extends at an acute angle to the face plate, which helps to prevent a user touching the face plate when removing the pen from the mount. The mount will normally be mounted at a height less than eye height for most users, so the inclination between the grip and label portions angles the labelling surface more towards a user's line of sight, making the name or other information on pen easier to read.

This inclination also reduces the amount the pen will jut out from the face plate, reducing the likelihood that the pen will be accidentally knocked out of the receptacle, for example by a passing person. The inclination also moves the centre of mass of the pen closer to the faceplate, which helps keep the pen engaged with the receptacle under all circumstances, even if not properly seated in the receptacle.

Because the pen has patient detail or other location specific information written onto it or otherwise affixed, a new pen will be required with each change of patient, thus reducing the chance of cross infection.

Each nurse may also have their own dedicated pen sited at a nurse's station, so avoiding the need either to use communal pens or to carry pens around the wards.

If the user of the dedicated pen finds that the information on the label does not correspond with the patient or other locality within the clinical environment, then the user can discard the incorrectly labelled pen and obtain and correctly label a new pen for that patient or locality.

The invention therefore provides a convenient writing instrument and mounted writing instrument assembly to help in the control of infectious cross-contamination from writing instruments in a clinical environment.

Claims

- 1 -CLAIMS

1. A writing instrument, comprising an elongate body, said body having towards one end a grip portion including a writing nib by which a user may hold and use the writing instrument, and having towards the other end a label portion for presenting legible information, wherein the grip portion extends along a first axis and the label portion extends along a second axis, said axes being inclined with respect to each other.

2. A writing instrument as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the label portion includes a labelling surface on which said legible information is presented.

3. A writing instrument as claimed in Claim 2, in which the labelling surface is a flat surface.

4. A writing instrument as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the labelling surface extends at a reflex angle to the first axis.

5. A writing instrument as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 4, in which the labelling surface is adapted to receive hand-writing comprising said legible information.

6. A writing instrument as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the writing instrument is shaped such that it will lie on a flat supporting surface in a stable orientation with the labelling surface facing upwards.

7. A writing instrument as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the writing instrument is shaped such that it will not lie on a flat supporting surface in a stable orientation with the labelling surface contacting said supporting surface.

8. A writing instrument as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the label portion is at least as long as the grip portion. - -

9. A writing instrument as claimed in any preceding claim in which the grip portion has a substantially round cross-sectional profile and the label portion has a substantially elongate cross-sectional profile.

10. A writing instrument as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the label portion tapers towards a blade-like tip at one end of said body.

11. A writing instrument as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the grip portion and label portion are separated by a rim raised with respect to the grip portion.

12. A writing instrument assembly, comprising writing instrument and a mount, wherein the writing instrument is as claimed in any preceding claim, the mount having a receptacle for receiving and temporarily holding the pen when not in use.

13. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in Claim 10, in which the mount has a base plate adapted for fixing to a vertical mounting surface, the receptacle holding the writing instrument with the label portion outermost with respect to the base plate.

14. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, in which the mount has a base plate adapted for fixing to a vertical surface, the receptacle holding the writing instrument with a legible label on label portion oriented outwards with respect to the base plate.

15. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14, in which the axis of the label portion is generally parallel with the base plate.

16. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 15, in which the axis of the label portion is generally parallel with said mounting surface.

17. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 16, in which the writing instrument and the receptacle are configured to hold the writing instrument so that the label portion has a preferential orientation with respect to the base plate.

18. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in any of Claims 13 to 17, in which the base plate includes a bracket for attachment to a vertical surface, and a face plate, the face plate being removeably attachable to the bracket when the bracket is affixed to said vertical surface.

19. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in Claim 18, in which the bracket includes at least one location feature for removeably locating the face plate on the bracket, and the bracket includes at least one corresponding engagement feature for removeably engaging with said location feature.

20. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in Claim 19, in which the or each location feature is a slot having an overhang and the corresponding engagement feature is a projection adapted to slideably engage in the corresponding slot with said overhang.

21. A writing instrument assembly as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, in which the bracket includes a pair of opposite straight side edges, and the face plate includes a pair of rails for orienting said engagement feature(s) with the corresponding engagement feature(s) prior to engagement of the engagement feature(s) with the corresponding location feature(s).