Surgical glove and method of securing surgical glove

Abstract

A surgical glove and a method of securing a surgical glove are presented to provide an improved surgical glove. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a self-adherent wrap is used to secure the surgical glove to the surgical gown of the user by encircling the self-adherent wrap around a substantial portion of both the cuff portion of the surgical glove and the surgical gown. The self-adherent wrap is configured such that, upon the application of suitable pressure, it adheres to itself in a cohesive state. The self-adherent wrap further defines a degree of adhesion in the cohesive state that is sufficient to bind the surgical glove to the surgical gown. Additional embodiments we disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/249,727 (JAM 0001 PA) for SURGICAL GLOVE AND METHOD OF SECURING SURGICAL GLOVE, filed Oct. 13, 2005, and 60/654,995 (JAM 0001 M2), filed Feb. 22, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to surgical gloves and a method of securing surgical gloves.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and a self-adherent wrap is secured to the arm, or the surgical gown about the arm, of a user. The surgical glove is secured by the self-adherent wrap that binds the cuff portion to the user's arm or surgical gown. After the surgical glove is placed over the hand and arm of the user, the self-adherent wrap encircles a substantial portion of both the cuff portion and the surgical gown in an overlapping, self-adherent manner. The self-adherent wrap may be attached to the cuff portion of the surgical glove, may be provided as an unattached accessory to the surgical glove, or may be provided separately from the surgical glove.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and an elastic wristband is secured to the arm, or the surgical gown worn about the arm, of a user. The surgical glove is secured by the elastic wristband that is attached to the cuff portion of the surgical glove. The elastic wristband stretches to cover a portion of the user's arm and binds and maintains the surgical glove in a position determined by the user.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and a drawstring hemmed within a band of material attached to, or formed integrally in, the cuff portion of the surgical glove. The surgical glove is secured to the user's arm by the pulling of the two ends of the drawstring to cinch, at a degree of tension determined by the user, the cuff portion around the user's arm, the encircling of the two ends of the drawstring around the user's arm, and the tying, or otherwise binding, together of the two ends of the drawstring. The degree of tension in combination with the tying, or otherwise binding, together of the two ends of the drawstring are sufficient to bind and maintain the surgical glove in a position determined by the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved surgical glove. Other objects of the present invention will be apparent in light of the description of the invention embodied herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the securing of a surgical glove to the arm of a user of the surgical glove with a self-adherent wrap; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a surgical glove wherein the self-adherent wrap is attached to the cuff portion of the surgical glove.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a surgical glove wherein a wristband is attached to the cuff portion of the surgical glove.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a surgical glove wherein a drawstring is hemmed within a band of material attached to, or formed integrally in, the cuff portion of the surgical glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A surgical glove 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. In each Fig., the surgical glove 10 comprises a hand and digit portion 20, a cuff portion 30, and a self-adherent wrap 40. Referring initially to FIG. 1, a user secures a surgical glove 10 to the user's arm, or the surgical gown 50 about the user's arm, with a self-adherent wrap 40. In order to secure the surgical glove 10 to the surgical gown 50, the self-adherent wrap 40 is provided in a length sufficient to permit the user to encircle substantial portions of both the cuff portion 30 and the surgical gown 50 in an overlapping, self-adhering manner, as shown in FIG. 1. Sufficient length of the self-adherent wrap 40 being, in a relaxed state, at least about six inches, and in an elongated state, approximately twelve to eighteen inches.

The self-adherent wrap 40 can be provided in any of a variety of forms. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the self-adherent wrap 40 comprises a laminate of woven or non-woven material and elastic fibers that are arranged to form a corrugated elastic wrap. The woven or non-woven material and elastic fibers may be comprised of natural latex elements or may be latex free. A suitable substance that can be used as a self-adherent wrap 40 is the Coban™ Self-Adherent Wrap, available from 3M Consumer Health Care, St. Paul Minn. The self-adherent wrap 40 may be attached to the cuff portion 30 of the surgical glove 10, may be provided as an accessory to the surgical glove 10, or may be provided separately from the surgical glove 10.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the self-adherent wrap 40 is configured in such a manner that, while being substantially free of adhesives, it is self-adherent. Upon the user's initial application of suitable pressure to the self-adherent wrap 40, which may or may not be followed by a release of the pressure, it adheres to itself in a cohesive state to a substantially greater extent than it does to the hand and digit portion 20, the cuff portion 30, and the surgical gown 50. This cohesive state of the self-adherent wrap 40 can be broken and reacquired without substantial degradation to the self-adherent wrap's degree of adhesion.

The degree of adhesion is respective to whether the self-adherent wrap 40 is adhered to itself or to the cuff portion 30 or the surgical gown 50. The degree of adhesion to the self-adherent wrap 40 itself is significant in that it enables the user to bind the cuff portion 30 to the surgical gown 50 and it maintains such force of compression as applied by the user. The degree of adhesion of the self-adherent wrap 40 to the cuff portion 30 and the surgical gown 50, however, may be substantial or insubstantial. An insubstantial degree of adhesion permits, while a substantial degree of adhesion may permit, the non-destructive, manual removal of the self-adherent wrap 40 from the surgical glove 10 and the surgical gown 50. In this context, non-destructive means that the self-adherent wrap 40, the surgical glove 10, and the surgical gown 50 can continue to be effectively used during a surgical procedure.

The self-adherent wrap 40 further defines a degree of elasticity that applies a force of compression, as directed by the user. This degree of elasticity is sufficient to maintain the force of compression such that the self-adherent wrap 40 does not loosen when worn by the user during surgical procedures.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a surgical glove 10 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the surgical glove 10 comprises a hand and digit portion 20, a cuff portion 30, and an elastic wristband 60. Referring to FIG. 3, a user secures a surgical glove 10 to the user's arm, or the surgical gown 50 about the user's arm, with an elastic wristband 60 attached to the cuff portion 30 of the surgical glove 10. In order to secure the surgical glove 10 to the surgical gown 50, the elastic wristband 60 is provided in a length sufficient to permit the user to pull a substantial portion of the elastic wristband 60 over the user's arm. This elastic wristband 60 stretches to a degree sufficient to bind and maintain the cuff portion 30 of the surgical glove 10 in a position on the user's arm as determined by the user.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a surgical glove 10 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the surgical glove 10 comprises a hand and digit portion 20, a cuff portion 30, and a drawstring 70 hemmed within a band of material 80 attached to, or formed integrally in, the cuff portion 30 of the surgical glove 10. Referring to FIG. 4, the drawstring 70 is hemmed within the band of material 80 such that the two ends of the drawstring 70 may be pulled and tied, or otherwise bound, together around the user's arm while the remaining portion of the drawstring 70 remains within the band of material 80 attached to, or formed integrally in, the cuff portion 30. Thus, in order to secure the surgical glove 10 to the user's arm, the drawstring 70 is provided in a length sufficient to permit the user to pull the two ends of the drawstring 70 to cinch the cuff portion 30 around the user's arm to a degree of tension determined by the user and to encircle the user's arm such that the two ends of the drawstring 70 may be tied, or otherwise bound, together. This degree of tension in combination with the tying, or otherwise binding, together of the two ends of the drawstring 70 are sufficient to bind and maintain the cuff portion 30 of the surgical glove 10 in a position on the user's arm as determined by the user.

In devising the present invention, the present inventors have recognized a problem that the cuff portions 30 of surgical gloves 10 frequently roll down while the users are conducting surgical procedures. This rolling down of the cuff portions 30 causes, at the very least, the need for the users to replace their surgical gloves 10 during a surgical procedure or, at the very worst, the contamination of the sterile surgical field during a surgical procedure.

It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and a self-adherent wrap, wherein:

said self-adherent wrap defines a length sufficient to permit a user of said surgical glove to encircle a substantial portion of said cuff portion and a substantial portion of a surgical gown worn on the arm of said user in an overlapping, self-adherent manner;

said self-adherent wrap is configured such that upon application of a suitable pressure, it adheres to itself in a cohesive state; and,

said self-adherent wrap defines a degree of adhesion in said cohesive state that is sufficient to bind said surgical glove to said surgical gown.

2. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap is attached to said cuff portion.

3. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap is not attached to said hand and digit portion or said cuff portion.

4. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap adheres to itself to a substantially greater extent than to said hand and digit portion, said cuff portion, and said surgical gown.

5. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap is configured such that said cohesive state requires initial application of said suitable pressure, followed by release of said suitable pressure.

6. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap defines respective degrees of adhesion to itself in said cohesive state and to said surgical gown that permits the non-destructive, manual removal of said self-adherent wrap from said cohesive state and from said surgical gown.

7. The surgical glove of claim 6, wherein said degree of adhesion defined by said self-adherent wrap to said surgical gown is insubstantial.

8. The surgical glove of claim 6, wherein said degree of adhesion defined by said self-adherent wrap to said surgical gown is substantial.

9. The surgical glove of claim 6, wherein said cohesive state can be broken and reacquired without substantial degradation of said degree of adhesion.

10. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap defines respective degrees of adhesion to itself in said cohesive state and to said cuff portion that permits the non-destructive, manual removal of said self-adherent wrap from said cohesive state and from said cuff portion.

11. The surgical glove of claim 10, wherein said degree of adhesion defined by said self-adherent wrap to said cuff portion is insubstantial.

12. The surgical glove of claim 10, wherein said degree of adhesion defined by said self-adherent wrap to said cuff portion is substantial.

13. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap is substantially free of adhesives.

14. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap comprises a laminate of woven or non-woven material and elastic fibers.

15. The surgical glove of 14, wherein said woven or non-woven material and said elastic fibers are arranged to form a corrugated elastic.

16. The surgical glove of claim 14, wherein said woven or non-woven material and said elastic fibers comprise natural rubber latex elements.

17. The surgical glove of claim 14, wherein said woven or non-woven material and said elastic fibers are free of latex.

18. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap is configured such that its resting length is at least about six inches.

19. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap is configured such that its elongated length is approximately twelve to eighteen inches.

20. The surgical glove of claim 1, wherein said self-adherent wrap defines a degree of elasticity that is sufficient to apply a force of compression, as directed by said user.

21. The surgical glove of claim 20, wherein said degree of elasticity is sufficient to maintain said force of compression such that said self-adherent wrap does not loosen when worn by said user during surgical procedures.

22. A surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and a self-adherent wrap, wherein:

said self-adherent wrap comprises a laminate of woven or non-woven material and elastic fibers that are arranged to form a corrugated elastic;

said self-adherent wrap defines a resting length of at least about six inches and an elongated length of approximately twelve to eighteen inches that are sufficient to permit a user to encircle a substantial portion of said cuff portion and a substantial portion of a surgical gown worn on the arm of said user of said surgical glove, in an overlapping, self-adherent manner;

said self-adherent wrap is configured such that upon initial application of a suitable pressure, followed by release of said suitable pressure, it adheres to itself in a cohesive state to a substantially greater extent than to said hand and digit portion, said cuff portion, and said surgical gown; and,

said self-adherent wrap defines a degree of adhesion in said cohesive state, which can be broken and reacquired without substantial degradation of said degree of adhesion, that is sufficient to bind said surgical glove to said surgical gown in a manner that allows for the non-destructive, manual removal of said self-adherent wrap from said cohesive state, from said surgical glove, and from said surgical gown; and,

said self-adherent wrap defines a degree of elasticity that applies a force of compression, as directed by the user, and is sufficient to maintain the force of compression such that the self-adherent wrap does not loosen when worn by said user during surgical procedures.

23. A surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and an elastic wristband, wherein:

said elastic wristband defines a length sufficient to permit a user of said surgical glove to pull a substantial portion of said elastic wristband over the user's arm; and

said elastic wristband stretches to a degree sufficient to bind and maintain said cuff portion in a position on the user's arm determined by the user of said surgical glove.

24. A surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, a drawstring, and a band of material, wherein:

said drawstring is hemmed within said band of material;

said drawstring defines a length sufficient to permit a user of said surgical glove to secure said cuff portion of said surgical glove to the user's arm; and

said drawstring secures said cuff portion of said surgical glove to the user's arm with a degree of tension determined by the user of said surgical glove.

25. The surgical glove of claim 24, wherein said drawstring is hemmed within said band of material such that two ends of said drawstring may be pulled by the user of said surgical glove while remaining portions of said drawstring remain hemmed within said band of material.

26. The surgical glove of claim 25, wherein said drawstring defines a length sufficient to permit the user of said surgical glove to pull said two ends of said drawstring to cinch said cuff portion of said surgical glove around the user's arm.

27. The surgical glove of claim 25, wherein said drawstring defines a length sufficient to permit the user of said surgical glove to encircle the user's arm such that the user of said surgical glove may tie, or otherwise bind, together said two ends of said drawstring.

28. The surgical glove of claim 27, wherein said tying, or otherwise binding, together of said two ends of said drawstring, in combination with said degree of tension, are sufficient to bind and maintain said cuff portion of said surgical glove in a position on the user's arm as determined by the user of said surgical glove.

29. The surgical glove of claim 24, wherein said band of material is attached to said cuff portion of said surgical glove.

30. The surgical glove of claim 24, wherein said band of material is formed integrally in said cuff portion of said surgical glove.

31. A method of securing a surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and a self-adherent wrap, wherein said method comprises:

wrapping said self-adherent wrap around said cuff portion and a substantial portion of a surgical gown worn on the arm of a user of said surgical glove;

defining said self-adherent wrap with a length that is sufficient to permit said user to encircle said cuff portion and said substantial portion of said surgical gown in an overlapping, self-adherent manner;

configuring said self-adherent wrap such that upon application of suitable pressure, it adheres to itself in a cohesive state to a substantially greater extent than to said hand and digit portion, said cuff portion, and said surgical gown; and,

defining said self-adherent wrap with such a degree of adhesion in said cohesive state that is sufficient to bind said surgical glove to said surgical gown.

32. A method of securing a surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, and an elastic wristband, wherein said method comprises:

defining said elastic wristband with a length that is sufficient to permit a user of said surgical glove to pull a substantial portion of said elastic wristband over the user's arm; and

configuring said elastic wristband such that it stretches to a degree sufficient to bind and maintain said cuff portion of said surgical glove in a position on the user's arm determined by the user of said surgical glove.

33. A method of securing a surgical glove comprising a hand and digit portion, a cuff portion, a drawstring, and a band of material, wherein said method comprises:

hemming said drawstring within said band of material attached to, or formed integrally in, said cuff portion of said surgical glove;

defining said drawstring with a length that is sufficient to permit a user of said surgical glove to secure said cuff portion of said surgical glove to the user's arm;

pulling two ends of said drawstring to cinch said cuff portion of said surgical glove around the user's arm;

encircling the user's arm with said two ends of said drawstring;

tying, or otherwise binding, together said two ends of said drawstring after encircling the user's arm; and

securing said surgical glove with a degree of tension that, in combination with said tying, or otherwise binding, together said two ends of said drawstring, is sufficient to bind and maintain said cuff portion of said surgical glove to the user's arm in a position determined by the user of said surgical glove.