Surgical scrub

Abstract

A surgical scrub apparatus includes a liquid-containing rupturable cylindrical cartridge which is slidable within a tubular handle having two (2) hollow interior spikes projecting longitudinally from one end. The cartridge can be inserted sufficiently far to cause rupture of the cartridge by both spikes. Liquid from the ruptured cartridge flows through the hollow spikes to an applicator sponge having two (2) wide area applicator surfaces. The hollow spikes are oriented such that one is always disposed higher than the other when the applicator surfaces of the sponge are disposed substantially horizontally. The upper spike can be disposed at a position wherein the liquid pressure applied thereto is less than ambient such that the upper spike serves as a vent passage which admits air into the cartridge. The lower spike thereby serves primarily as an outflow for liquid from the cartridge and air replaces the egressing liquid through the upper spike. The forward ends of the spikes are truncated on respective bias planes which diverge in the direction toward the remote end of the handle. The spikes are transversely spaced as far as possible to maximize the liquid pressure difference at the punctures made in the cartridge by the spikes when the handle is oriented with the sponge tilted slightly downward from horizontal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.