Marking pen that combines crystal violet stain and povidone-iodine application into one step to prevent smearing of preoperative markings after chlorhexidine antisepsis.

Project Overview

Skin marking pens are used to mark patients prior to surgery to avoid costly mistakes and maintain patient safety during operations [1]. These marking pens currently use crystal (gentian) violet, a gram stain that binds with glycans on the skin surface. In combination with a povidone-iodine wash, a cleaning disinfectant routinely used to clean the surgical field, a complex is formed that locks the crystal violet onto the skin. However, due to an update in surgical procedures across the entire medical field, chlorhexidine is replacing povidone-iodine as the recommended presurgical washing agent due to its superior disinfecting properties [2]. Chlorhexidine can dissolve and wash away any crystal violet stain that has not been treated with iodine-povidone. Thus, the client, Dr. Robert Glinert, has requested the team to develop a marking pen that combines the crystal violet stain and the povidone-iodine application into one step instead of two to prevent the smearing and smudging of preoperative markings caused by chlorhexidine washes. Additionally, marking clarity, readability, and sterility are also important aspects of the design that must be considered.

Team Picture

Contact Information

Team Members

• Meghana Kalluri - Team Leader
• Caelie Raeburn - Communicator
• Fiorella Fernandez - BSAC
• Ben Bochenski - BWIG
• Logan Moller - BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. William Murphy - Advisor
• Dr. Robert Glinert - Client