GB2597979A

GB2597979A - Equipment cover

Info

Publication number: GB2597979A
Application number: GB2012649.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ramsey Peter
Original assignee: Meditech Endoscopy Ltd
Current assignee: Meditech Endoscopy Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-13
Filing date: 2020-08-13
Publication date: 2022-02-16
Also published as: GB202012649D0

Abstract

A removable cover 50 for medical equipment such as an endoscope tower. The cover 50 comprises a front panel 52 having a first configuration in which the front panel 52 is substantially planar, two side panels 54, a top panel 56, at least one rear closure member connected to one of the side panels 54 and a containment feature 90 associated with the front panel 52. The containment feature 90 assists in moving at least part of the front panel 52 from the first configuration to a second configuration in which a first portion of a first surface of the front panel 52 is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel 52. The containment feature 90 may be a perforated portion, drawstrings or a removable layer. The front panel 52 may have an aperture for allowing cables through.

Description

Equipment Cover

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cover for equipment. In particular this invention relates to a single-use cover for electrical equipment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Contamination from airborne pathogens is a known concern and risk in clinical and care environments. The risk is particularly acute in clinical environments in which equipment exposed to airborne pathogens during a first procedure is then used during a subsequent procedure. This may, for example, be of concern in operating theatres, surgical procedure rooms and during other procedures such as MRI screening or endoscopic procedures.

Typically most of the equipment used during the procedure, and in particular the equipment that comes into contact with a patient, is thoroughly washed and disinfected between uses. Alternatively, some of the equipment may be single-use.

There is, however, some equipment that remains in the procedure room or operating theatre during multiple procedures. This equipment includes electrical equipment, control equipment, monitoring equipment, lighting and the like. This equipment may be located or positioned at a distance from the patient and the procedure, however there remains a risk that this equipment will become contaminated by airborne pathogens.

Furthermore, this type of equipment is inherently difficult to clean. So, while it may be a requirement that all equipment in a procedure room is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between procedures, it is known that contamination on some surfaces may still be present. These surfaces include, for example, keyboards, control panels -2 -and the like. These surfaces are complex and difficult to clean; however, they are also touched by multiple persons thereby increasing the risk of contamination and spread of infection.

Against this background it is desirable to provide a means of reducing contamination of surfaces within a clinical or care environment and/or a means of reducing or avoiding cross-contamination and spread of infection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the disclosure provides an equipment cover comprising: a front panel having a first configuration in which the front panel is substantially planar; - two side panels; - a top panel; at least one rear closure member connected to one of the side panels; and - a containment feature associated with the front panel, the containment feature being configured to assist in movement of the front panel from the first configuration to a second configuration in which a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel.

The front panel, top panel and two side panels preferably comprise a flexible sheet plastic material. The flexible sheet plastic material may be transparent. The flexible sheet plastic material preferably has a thickness of less than 100 pm, and more preferably less than 50 pm.

In preferred embodiments the front panel includes an aperture.

The closure member preferably comprises a single use fastener.

In some embodiments the containment feature comprises a line of weakness extending at least partially through the front panel. The line of weakness may -3 -comprise a line of perforations. The line of weakness may extend into the top panel.

In other embodiments the containment feature comprises a pair of rings, a first ring being connected to the front panel and extending around a perimeter of the aperture, and a second ring being engaged with the front panel such that a part of the front panel extends through an opening of the second ring. Preferably an inner diameter of the first ring is greater than an inner diameter of the second ring.

In other embodiments the containment feature comprises a drawstring.

In further embodiments the containment feature comprises a containment sheet securable to a second surface of the front panel. In yet further embodiments the containment feature comprises a removable layer, and the removable layer forms part of the front panel.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a combination of a piece of equipment and an equipment cover according to the first aspect.

Preferably the piece of equipment comprises a piece of medical equipment including 20 electrical equipment. The piece of equipment may comprise endoscopic equipment.

A third aspect of the disclosure provides a method of reducing contamination of a piece of equipment using an equipment cover, the method comprising: placing the equipment cover over the piece of equipment so that a front panel of the cover extends over a front of the piece of equipment with the front panel in a first, substantially planar configuration, a top panel of the cover extends over at least a part of a top portion of the piece of equipment, and two side panels of the cover extend over side portions of the piece of equipment; securing a rear closure member connected to one of the side panels to retain 30 the cover over the piece of equipment; using the piece of equipment; and after using the piece of equipment, using a containment feature associated -4 -with the front panel to assist in movement of the front panel into a second configuration in which a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel.

Preferably the containment feature comprises a line of weakness and the method preferably comprises tearing along the line of weakness and folding the front panel of the cover so that a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel.

In preferred embodiments the closure member includes a single-use fastener, and the method preferably comprises, after moving the front panel into the second configuration, breaking or disabling the single-use fastener to allow removal of the cover from the piece of equipment.

Preferably the piece of equipment comprises endoscopic equipment and the front panel of the cover includes an aperture, and the method preferably comprises, aligning the aperture with a connector of the endoscopic equipment.

The method may further comprise: after retaining the cover on the piece of equipment, connecting an endoscope to the connector of the endoscopic equipment; and after use of the piece of equipment, disconnecting the endoscope from the connector of the endoscopic equipment to allow the front panel of the cover to be moved into the second configuration.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also. Further embodiments of the invention can therefore also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. -5 -

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 prior art endoscope tower;

Figure 2 shows a cover for equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows the cover of Figure 2 disposed to cover the endoscope tower of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a cover for equipment according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a cover for equipment according to a further embodiment of the present invention, including a containment feature comprising a pair of rings; Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of a part of the cover of Figure 5, showing the configuration of the containment rings; Figure 7 shows a cover for equipment according to a further embodiment of the present invention, including a containment feature comprising a drawstring; Figure 8 shows a cover for equipment according to a further embodiment of the present invention, including a containment feature comprising a containment sheet; and Figure 9 shows a cover for equipment according to a further embodiment of the present invention, including a containment feature comprising a removable containment sheet. -6 -

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In many clinical and care settings there are multiple pieces of complex monitoring and control equipment. These pieces of equipment are operated and touched by personnel or staff, for example by way of pressing keys or buttons, turning knobs, connecting and disconnecting connectors.

One such piece of equipment is an endoscope tower 10, as illustrated in Figure 1. The endoscope tower 10 comprises a trolley or stand 12, which typically includes one of more shelves 14 for supporting electrical equipment 16. The electrical equipment 16 preferably comprises a video system 18 and a light source 20, and may additionally include other monitoring and control equipment. A monitor or display 22 is typically mounted at a top of the endoscope tower 10 for viewing images captured by an endoscope (not shown) connected to the electrical equipment 16. The monitor 22 may be mounted on one or more support arms 24. The support arms 24 or a part of the support arms may allow the monitor 22 to be moved with respect to the rest of the equipment to allow a viewing angle of the monitor to be adjusted. The trolley or stand 12 may be on wheels or castors (not shown).

An endoscope is typically connected to the light source 20 by means of a flexible light guide or umbilical cord 26. A suitable connector 28 is provided at an end of the umbilical cord 26 to allow the endoscope to be quickly and reliably attached to and detached from the light source 20.

It will be appreciated that the electrical equipment 16 is sensitive and is not easy to clean. It is, however, typically in a clinical setting in which there are likely to be airborne pathogens, such as airborne viruses or airborne bacteria. There is therefore the need to either thoroughly clean the electrical equipment 16 after each use, or find a way to protect the equipment 16 from such airborne pathogens while maintaining usability of the equipment 16. -7 -

Figure 2 shows a disposable cover 50 for an endoscope tower according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The cover 50 comprises a front panel 52, two side panels 54 and a top panel 56. In this embodiment the front panel 52 is rectangular. Each of the two side panels 54 is rectangular and extends from a respective side edge 58 of the front panel 52. The top panel 56 is rectangular and extends from a top edge 60 of the front panel 52. The top panel 56 extends between at least a part of the two side panels 54, such that a side edge 62 of the top panel 56 is connected to or extends from a part of a top edge 64 of a respective one of the side panels 54.

In this embodiment the dimensions of each of the panels 52, 54, 56 are such as to cover an endoscope tower 10, as illustrated in Figure 3. When the cover 50 is disposed over an endoscope tower 10 the top panel 56 is preferably seated on an upper surface 30 of the trolley 12. The front panel 52 extends downwards over a front of the trolley 12 and preferably extends substantially all the way to the floor. The length of the front panel 52 of the cover 50 may be such that there is minimal clearance between a lower edge 66 of the front panel 52 and the floor, to prevent the cover 50 dragging on the floor if the endoscope tower 10 is moved. The side panels 54 extends downwards over sides of the trolley 12 and preferably extend substantially all the way to the floor. The length of each of the side panels 54 of the cover 50 may be such that there is minimal clearance between a lower edge 68 of each of the side panels 54 and the floor, to prevent the cover 50 dragging on the floor if the endoscope tower 10 is moved. The length of each of the side panels 54 may be the same as the length of the front panel 52. In this embodiment a length of the front panel 52 and each of the side panels 54 is preferably about 120 cm. In this embodiment a width of the front panel 52 and each of the side panels 54 is preferably about 50 cm.

A depth of the top panel 56, i.e. a distance between front and rear edges 70, 72 of the top panel 56, is preferably less than a width of each of the side panels 54. In this way an upper rear recess or cut-out 74 is defined in the cover 50 for receiving the -8 -support arms 24 of the monitor 22 when the cover 50 is disposed on the endoscope tower 10. In this embodiment a depth of the top panel 56 is preferably about 30 cm. In other embodiments the depth of the top panel 56 may be equal to or greater than the width of the side panels 54.

In this embodiment the front panel 52 includes an aperture 76. The aperture 76 is positioned so as to align with the light source connector 28 of the electrical equipment 16 when the cover 50 is disposed over the endoscope tower 10. Furthermore, the dimensions of the aperture 76 are such that there is sufficient clearance for a user to easily connect an endoscope to and disconnect an endoscope from the light source 20. However, the dimensions are preferably such that there is not an excessive surface area of the equipment 16 exposed around the connector 28. In this embodiment the aperture 76 is circular and has a diameter of about 15 cm.

Each of the top panel 56, side panels 54 and front panel 52 are preferably made of a suitable flexible sheet of polymeric material. The flexible sheet preferably has a thickness of less than 100 pm, and more preferably less than 50 pm. The thickness of the flexible sheet may be about 40 pm. The flexible sheet is preferably made of a transparent material A closure member 78 extends from each of the side panels 54. In this embodiment each closure member 78 extends from a rear edge 80 of a respective one of the side panels 54. Each closure member 78 comprises a flexible strip or sheet. The closure member 78 may be made of the same material as the side panels 54 of the cover 50. The closure members 78 preferably extend from the side panels 54 proximate the top edge 64 of the side panels 54.

Each of the closure members 78 is elongate and a fastener 82 is preferably disposed 30 proximate a distal end 84 of each closure member 78. The fasteners 82 of the two closure members 78 are complementary, such that the fasteners 82 can be joined together to connect the two closure members 78. The fasteners 82 may be in the -9 -form of a press stud fastener or adhesive tape. The fasteners 82 are preferably single-use such that the fasteners 82 are broken or otherwise disabled when a user separates them or tries to separate them after use.

In embodiments in which the fasteners 82 are in the form of a press stud, a part of the press stud may break when the press stud is pulled apart. In embodiments in which the fastener 82 is in the form of adhesive tape, the adhesion between the tape and the closure member 78 may be sufficiently strong that the force required to tear or rupture the closure member 78 is lower than the peel strength of the adhesive, such that the closure member 78 tears before the fasteners 82 separate.

Importantly, the single-use nature of the fastener 82 is such that the closure members 78 cannot be secured together again after use, to prevent the cover 50 being used again.

In some embodiments the closure members 78 do not include fasteners 82 and in these embodiments the closure members 78 may be tied together during use. A user may then tear one of the closure members 78 after use to release the cover 50 from the equipment 16.

With the cover 50 in a first configuration disposed over the electrical equipment 16, in this embodiment forming part of an endoscope tower 12, it will be appreciated that any airborne pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, will strike or contaminate a surface of the cover 50 rather than the electrical equipment 16. In particular, the airborne pathogens are likely to contaminate a first, front surface 86 of the front panel 52 and a first, upper surface 88 of the top panel 56.

After use of the equipment 16 it is desirable to remove the cover 50 without spreading contamination from the cover 50 to other surfaces in the vicinity. The cover 50 therefore includes a containment feature 90 that is configured to assist in moving or folding a first portion of the front surface 86 of the front panel 52 to face or oppose a second portion of the front surface 86 of the front panel 52 during -10 -removal of the cover 50 from the electrical equipment 16. The containment feature 90, therefore, assists in moving at least the front panel 52 of the cover 50 into a second, disposal configuration, It is likely that the majority of contamination on the cover 50 will be present on the front panel 52, and possibly on the top panel 56. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments the containment feature 90 is associated with at least the front panel 52 of the cover 50.

In one embodiment of the cover 50, illustrated in Figure 4, the containment feature comprises a line of weakness 92 extending through the front panel 52 and the top panel 156. A first line of weakness 92a extends through the front panel 52 adjacent a first side edge 58a and through the top panel 56 adjacent a first side edge 62a. A second line of weakness 92b extends through the front panel 52 adjacent a second side edge 58b and through the top panel 56 adjacent a second side edge 62b. Each line of weakness 92 preferably comprises a line of perforations. Alternatively each line of weakness 92 may comprise a region of thinner material.

In use, after the electrical equipment 16 has been used such that at least the front panel 52 of the cover 50 may be contaminated, a user tears the top panel 56 along the lines of weakness 92. The user may then fold this region of the cover 50 downwardly over the front panel 52 of the cover 50, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. In this way, the contaminated surfaces, i.e. a top surface 88 of the top panel 56 and a front surface 86 of the front panel 52, are facing each other to contain the contamination. A user may then continue to tear along the lines of weakness 92 through the front panel 52 to detach the top panel 56 and the front panel 52 from the side panels 54 of the cover 50.

The top panel 56 and the front panel 52 can then of disposed of in a suitable 30 contaminated waste receptacle. Similarly the side panels 54 of the cover 50 may be gathered up and placed in the same or a different contaminated waste receptacle.

One or both of the front panel 52 and the top panel 56 may include a means to join or adhere the panels 52, 56 together in their folded configuration. One or both of the front panel 52 or the top panel 56 may include an adhesive region. In some embodiments the cover may include a flap including a layer of adhesive that extends from the lower edge of the front panel or the rear edge of the top panel. The flap may initially be disposed at or against a second, rear surface of the front panel or second, lower surface of the top panel. In use the flap may be folded over so as to adhere the front panel, and optionally the top panel, in the folded configuration.

In some embodiments the front panel or the top panel may be folded and adhered to the other one of the top panel or front panel so that the contaminated surfaces are facing each other. The complete cover may then be detached from the electrical equipment (e.g. the endoscope tower).

Although in this embodiment the line of weakness 92 extend through both the front panel 52 and the top panel 56, in other embodiments the line of weakness may extend only through the front panel. In other embodiments the line of weakness may extend along a seam or fold line between the front panel and a side panel and/or along a seam or fold line between the top panel and a side panel. The line of weakness may extend through a part of a side panel adjacent the front panel.

Figures Sand 6 illustrate a further embodiment of a cover 150. In this embodiment the containment feature 190 comprises a pair of rings 94, 96. A first one of the pair of rings 94 is connected to the front panel 152 and extends around a perimeter of the aperture 176. A second one of the pair of rings 96 is engaged with the front panel 152 such that a part of the front panel 152 extends through an opening 98 of the second ring 96. An inner diameter of the first ring 94 is preferably greater than an inner diameter of the second ring 96. Alternatively, the first and second rings 94, 96 may have different shapes. Importantly, the first ring 94 cannot pass through the opening 98 of the second ring 96, and the second ring 96 cannot pass through an opening 100 of the first ring 94.

-12 -When the cover 150 is disposed over the piece of electrical equipment, the second ring 96 is preferably disposed between at least a part of the first ring 94 and a part of the front panel 152. The first ring 94 is disposed behind the second ring 96, relative to the front surface 186 of the front panel 152.

In use, after the electrical equipment has been used such that at least the front panel 152 of the cover 150 may be contaminated, a user breaks or separates the closure members 178 to release the cover 150 from the electrical equipment. The user then holds the second ring 96 and pulls the first ring 94 in a direction away from the second ring 96, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 6. In doing so, the front panel 152 is drawn through the second ring 96 such that contaminated parts of the front surface 186 of the front panel 152 face inwardly towards each other. The cover 150 can then be disposed of in a suitable contaminated waste receptacle.

A further embodiment of a cover 250 is illustrated in Figure 7. In this embodiment the cover 250 comprises a containment feature 290 comprising a drawstring 102. The drawstring 102 may extend only around the front panel 252, or around the front panel 252 and the top panel 256. In this embodiment, however, the drawstring 102 extends around the complete cover 250 such that the drawstring 102 extends around and through the front panel 252, the top panel 256 and the side panels 254.

In particular, the drawstring 102 extends along the lower edge 268, rear edge 280 and upper edge 264 of each of the side panels 254, a lower edge 266 of the front panel 252, and a rear edge 272 of the top panel 256. The drawstring 102 comprises a flexible elongate member made of any suitable material. The drawstring 102 is preferably made of a suitable polymeric material. The elongate member may be flat or may be cord-like.

In use, after the electrical equipment has been used such that at least the front panel 252 of the cover 250 may be contaminated, a user breaks or separates the closure members 278 to release the cover 250 from the electrical equipment. The user then uses the drawstring 102 to collapse the cover 250 such that contaminated parts of the front surface 286 of the front panel 252 face inwardly towards each other. The -13 -cover 250 can then be disposed of in a suitable contaminated waste receptacle.

Another embodiment of a cover 350 is illustrated in Figure 8. In this embodiment the cover 350 comprises a containment feature 390 including a containment sheet 104.

The containment sheet 104 is secured to or extends from the lower edge 366 of the front panel 352. The containment sheet 104 is secured, in a storage configuration, to the second, rear surface of the front panel 352. In this embodiment the containment sheet 104 is rolled in the storage configuration. In other embodiments the containment sheet may be folded in the storage configuration.

In use, after the electrical equipment has been used such that at least the front panel 352 of the cover 350 may be contaminated, a user releases the containment sheet 104 from the second surface of the front panel 352. The user can then unroll or unfold the containment sheet 104 and draw the containment sheet 104 up over the front panel 352 to cover the front surface 386 of the front panel 352. The containment sheet 104 may be securable to the front surface 386 of the front panel 352 or to the top panel 356.

The user may then break or separate the closure members 378 to release the cover 350 from the electrical equipment, and then dispose of the cover 350 in a suitable contaminated waste receptacle.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the containment sheet 104 may be secured to or extend from the top panel. In yet further embodiments the containment sheet 104 may be secured to or extend from one of the side panels. The cover may include a mechanism or arrangement to assist in drawing the containment sheet over the front surface of the front cover.

A further embodiment of a cover 450 is illustrated in Figure 9. In this embodiment 30 the cover 450 comprises a containment feature 490 including a removable layer or sheet 106. The removable layer or sheet 106 forms part of the front panel 452. In particular, the removable sheet or layer 106 is disposed such that a first surface 108 -14 -of the removable layer or sheet 106 provides the front surface 486 of the front panel 452.

The removable sheet 106 is preferably adhered to a base layer of the front panel 452 by a low peel strength adhesive, such that the removable sheet 106 can be easily separated from the base layer. The removable sheet 106 may include a pull tab 107 extending from an edge of the removable sheet 106. The pull tab 107 is provided to allow a user to hold the pull tab 107 to peel the removable sheet 106 from the rest of the front panel 452.

In use, after the electrical equipment has been used such that at least a front surface 486 of the front panel 452 of the cover 450 may be contaminated, a user grasps a part of the removable sheet 106 (for example the pull tab 107) and peels the removable sheet 106 such that a first part of the first surface 108 of the removable sheet 106 faces a second part of the first surface 108 of the removable sheet 106.

The removable sheet 106 is then fully separated from the rest of the front panel 452, and can be disposed of in a suitable contaminated waste receptacle.

In some embodiments the front panel 452 of the cover 450 includes a plurality of removable sheets 106, stacked one on top of the other. In use, after a first procedure, a first one of the removable sheets 106 is separated from the remainder of the cover 450 and disposed of. The cover 450 remains attached to the electrical equipment to be used during a second procedure. After the second procedure, a second one of the removable sheets 106 is separated from the remainder of the cover 450 and disposed of. The cover 450 preferably includes no more than three removable sheets 106, as it will be appreciated that contamination may build up on other parts of the cover 450 during multiple procedures.

The or each removable sheet 106 may form part of both the front panel 452 and the 30 top panel 456 of the cover 450. The removable sheet 106 may be detachable from the rest of the cover 450 at or along a line of weakness 109, such as a line of perforations.

-15 -By providing a containment feature 90, 190, 290, 390, 490 such as those described above, the contaminated surface or surfaces of the cover 50, 150, 250, 350, 450 may be contained to minimise or prevent transference of the pathogens to another surface or to a user.

Although in the above embodiments the cover 50, 150, 250, 350, 450 included two closure members 78, 178, 278, 378, 478, in other embodiments the cover may include only a single closure member. For example, the cover may include an elongate closure member that extends from a first one of the side panels. A distal end of the closure member may include a fastener that engages with a fastener on the second one of the side panels.

In yet further embodiments a width of one or both of the side panels may be such that the side panel(s) can wrap around the rear of the electrical equipment. In these embodiments, therefore, the closure member may be a part of one of the side panels.

The cover may include a support frame to retain the cover in a first configuration to cover the piece of electrical equipment. The support frame may be inflatable. The cover may be collapsible into a second configuration in which a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel. The cover may be collapsible by deflating the support frame.

It will be appreciated that while the above embodiments described a cover 50, 150, 250, 350, 450 suitable for an endoscope tower 10, similar covers may be adapted for use with other items and pieces of equipment. For example the cover may be made with different dimension or a different three dimensional shape to conform to the size and shape of the equipment. The cover may include an aperture in a different location, an aperture of different shape or dimensions, or multiple apertures to accommodate different connectors.

-16 -In some embodiments the cover may include a separate or additional line of weakness in the top panel. This separate or additional line of weakness may be used to move a part of the top panel into a configuration in which the cover may be at least partially suspended over a piece of equipment from a part of the top panel.

The top panel may comprises means to secure or attach the top panel to a piece of equipment. The top panel may include, for example, one or more apertures or a region of adhesive. The separate or additional line of weakness in the top panel is preferably not continuous with and/or not aligned with a line of weakness in the front panel. In this way the line of weakness in the top panel may be broken or torn independently of the line of weakness in the front panel.

Other modifications and variations not explicitly disclosed above may also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-17 -CLAIMS1. An equipment cover comprising: a front panel having a first configuration in which the front panel is substantially planar; two side panels; a top panel; at least one rear closure member connected to one of the side panels; and a containment feature associated with the front panel, the containment feature being configured to assist in movement of the front panel from the first configuration to a second configuration in which a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel.
2. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the front panel, top panel and two side panels comprise a flexible sheet plastic material.
3. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the flexible sheet plastic material is transparent.
4. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the flexible sheet plastic material has a thickness of less than 100 pm.
5. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the flexible sheet plastic material has a thickness of less than 50 pm.
6. An equipment cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front panel includes an aperture.
7. An equipment cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the closure member comprises a single use fastener.
8. An equipment cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the -18 -containment feature comprises a line of weakness extending at least partially through the front panel.
9. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the line of weakness comprises a line of perforations.
10. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the line of weakness extends into the top panel.
11. An equipment cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the containment feature comprises a pair of rings, a first ring being connected to the front panel and extending around a perimeter of the aperture, and a second ring being engaged with the front panel such that a part of the front panel extends through an opening of the second ring.
12. An equipment cover as claimed in Claim 11, wherein an inner diameter of the first ring is greater than an inner diameter of the second ring.
13. An equipment cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the containment feature comprises a drawstring.
14. An equipment cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the containment feature comprises a containment sheet securable to a second surface of the front panel.
15. An equipment cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the containment feature comprises a removable layer, and the removable layer forms part of the front panel.
16. A combination of a piece of equipment and an equipment cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15.
17. A combination as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the piece of equipment comprises a piece of medical equipment including electrical equipment.
18. A combination as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the piece of equipment comprises endoscopic equipment.
19. A method of reducing contamination of a piece of equipment using an equipment cover, the method comprising: placing the equipment cover over the piece of equipment so that a front panel of the cover extends over a front of the piece of equipment with the front panel in a first, substantially planar configuration, a top panel of the cover extends over at least a part of a top portion of the piece of equipment, and two side panels of the cover extend over side portions of the piece of equipment; securing a rear closure member connected to one of the side panels to retain 15 the cover over the piece of equipment; using the piece of equipment; and after using the piece of equipment, using a containment feature associated with the front panel to assist in movement of the front panel into a second configuration in which a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel.
20. A method as claimed in Claim 19, wherein containment feature comprises a line of weakness and the method comprises tearing along the line of weakness and folding the front panel of the cover so that a first portion of a first surface of the front panel is facing a second portion of the first surface of the front panel.
21. A method as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein the closure member comprises a single-use fastener, and the method comprises, after moving the front panel into the second configuration, breaking or disabling the single-use fastener to allow removal of the cover from the piece of equipment.
22. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 21, wherein the piece of -20 -equipment comprises endoscopic equipment and the front panel of the cover includes an aperture, and the method comprises, aligning the aperture with a connector of the endoscopic equipment.
23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, further comprising: after retaining the cover on the piece of equipment, connecting an endoscope to the connector of the endoscopic equipment; and after use of the piece of equipment, disconnecting the endoscope from the connector of the endoscopic equipment to allow the front panel of the cover to be moved into the second configuration.