# US 2019/0170543 A1 · Method and devices for signifying scrubbing action > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170543 A1 - Document ID: US20190170543A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/829,587 - Filed: 2017-12-01 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Assignees: CareFusion 2200, Inc. - Applicants: Carefusion 2200, Inc. - Inventors: Ashley ROTHENBERG; Nathan SIERACKI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170543A1 ## CPC - G01D 7/005: {Indication of measured value by colour change} - G01N 31/226: {for investigating the degree of sterilisation} - A47K 7/02: Bathing sponges, brushes, gloves or similar cleaning or rubbing implements - A47K 7/03: containing soap or other cleaning ingredients, e.g. impregnated - A61B 90/80: Implements for cleaning or washing the skin of surgeons or patients - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action between a device and a surface, the cumulative scrubbing action being signified by a signaling element, wherein the signaling element is configured to provide an observable signal when the selected cumulative scrubbing action has been provided to the surface. The method may comprise applying scrubbing action to the signaling element to release and/or expose at least a first portion of an indicator, and observing the device and/or surface for the signal. The present disclosure also relates to signaling elements and devices for use according to the methods of the present disclosure, and to methods of preparing the same. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action comprising: applying a signaling element to a surface, the signaling element comprising an indicator configured to function as a signal when a selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied to the signaling element; applying scrubbing action to the signaling element to release and/or expose at least a first portion of the indicator; and observing the surface for a presence or absence of the signal provided by the indicator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the signaling element further comprises a degradable component constraining the indicator, wherein the signaling element is configured such that the degradable component releases and/or exposes at least a first portion of the indicator when the selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the scrubbing action is applied using a device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a gradient signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the signaling element comprises a core comprising the indicator, and wherein the degradable component is on an outer surface of the core. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the signaling element is applied to the surface using the device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the signaling element is provided with the device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the device is configured to apply a cleansing agent to the surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the signaling element is configured to release and/or expose at least a second portion of the indicator when the signaling element is subjected to a cleansing agent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the signaling element comprises a signal-resinate complex including one or more molecules of the indicator or indicator harboring entity are reversibly bound to a resin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the signaling element comprises a colorant. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of an applicator and a wipe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the surface is a patient's body. ### Claim 14 A method for signifying a selected cumulative scrubbing action comprising: applying scrubbing action to a surface using a device, wherein the device comprises a signaling element having an indicator configured to function as a signal when a selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied to the signaling element; and observing the device for a presence or absence of the signal provided by the indicator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the signaling element is provided as two layers on an outer surface of the device, wherein an inner layer comprises the indicator and an outer layer comprises a degradable component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the signaling element is provided as one multi-component layer on an outer surface of the device, wherein the one multi-component layer comprises the indicator and a degradable component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of an applicator and a wipe. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the surface is a patient's body. ### Claim 19 A device comprising a signaling element, wherein the device is configured to apply scrubbing action, and wherein the signaling element comprises an indicator configured to function as a signal when a selected cumulative scrubbing action is applied to the signaling element; and wherein the signaling element is configured to release and/or exposes at least a first portion of the indicator to provide the signal in response to the selected cumulative scrubbing action. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the signaling element comprises a core comprising the indicator, and a degradable component on an outer surface of the core. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the signaling element is provided as two layers on an outer surface of the device, wherein an inner layer comprises the indicator and an outer layer comprises a degradable component. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the signaling element comprises a signal-resinate complex having one or more molecules of the indicator or indicator harboring entity reversibly bound to a resin. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the device is configured to apply the signaling element to a surface. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the device further comprises a cleansing agent, and wherein the device is configured to apply the cleansing agent to a surface. ### Claim 25 A signaling element comprising an indicator configured to function as a signal, wherein the signaling element is configured to release and/or exposes at least a first portion of the indicator to provide the signal on a surface in response to a selected cumulative scrubbing action applied to the surface. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The signaling element according to claim 25, wherein the signaling element comprises a core comprising the indicator, and a degradable component on an outer surface of the core. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The signaling element according to claim 25, wherein the signaling element comprises a signal-resinate complex including one or more molecules of the indicator or an indicator harboring entity reversibly bound to a resin.