Abstract: A finger protector, for use by surgical personnel under a surgical glove during a surgical procedure to prevent a finger puncture or cut, includes a puncture- and cut-resistant flexible, thin tube. The tube is open at one end and closed at an opposite end, the tube tapering outwardly from the closed end to the open end. The tube is adapted to extend over the entire circumference of a finger from a fingertip to at least the third metacarpal-phalangeal joint, and combines levels of proprioception and flexibility suitable for surgical purposes. Preferably the tube is formed of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), about 0.080 cm thick, and extends substantially over at least the palmar surface and sides of the remainder of the finger, at least up to the second metacarpal-phalangeal joint.

Abstract: There is provided according to the invention a digital retractor to protect ndex finger, palm and thumb of the non-dominant hand of the surgeon during surgery, where the non-dominant hand is used to retract or position tissue. The retractor comprises a curved base plate which fits against the palmar surface of the index finger and extends toward the thumb, and includes one or two rings attached to the base plate through which the surgeon's index finger, and optionally also the long finger, are poised and positioned.