Method and apparatus for determining the operational state of a contact device

A stethoscope having an indication of clean status comprising:

• a contact surface on the stethoscope being configured to contact a body surface;
• one or more temperature sensors mounted on the contact surface of the stethoscope, and being configured to detect a change of temperature;
• an analysis apparatus communicatively coupled to the one or more temperature sensors, and a display, the analysis apparatus comprising:
• a processor, and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores a plurality of predetermined standard profiles of a series of temperature changes in a predetermined time based on a phase change of a cleaning solution on a contact surface of the stethoscope and processor-executable instructions, which on execution, cause the processor to:
• determine a baseline value of temperature for an environment of the stethoscope;
• store the baseline value of temperature for the environment;
• detect, by the one or more temperature sensors, a series of temperature changes in a predetermined time on data of the contact surface of the stethoscope;
• analyze the series of temperature changes detected;
• determine a temperature profile with a corresponding standard profiles stored in the memory;
• determine the clean status of the stethoscope as a clean state when a match exists between the temperature profile and one of the plurality of a corresponding standard profile;
• display, by at least one visual indicator on the display, a clean status as a clean state of the stethoscope and is ready for use, wherein use of the stethoscope will prevent the spread of infection:
• detect, by the one or more temperature sensors, the temperature of the environment has returned to the baseline value:
• further detect, by the one or more temperature sensors, a temperature of the contact surface has changed from the baseline value indicative of the stethoscope in use and not clean;
• and
• activate, the at least one visual indicator to indicate the clean status as an unclean state of the stethoscope.