MEDICAL GLOVE CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING, INTERACTING, AND/OR RECEIVING A MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TO PROTECT AGAINST TRANSMISSION OF CONTAMINANTS

Abstract

A medical glove is provided for protection against the transmission of infectious agents. The medical glove comprises a glove body sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand. The medical glove body has a palm portion and adjoining finger portions. A webbing adjoins two of the finger portions. The webbing is sized to receive a stethoscope head between the finger portions when the finger portions are separated. The medical glove is formed of an acoustically transmissive elastomeric material that is substantially non-porous and sufficiently thin to allow tactile sensitivity and dexterity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/231,930, filed Sep. 8, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/004,578, filed Dec. 21, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical gloves that can support, interface with, and/or receive a medical instrument as well as protect against the transmission of infectious agents from the user of the medical glove and/or the medical instrument.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the medical field, transmission of infectious agents and other contaminants is an ongoing concern. This issue has once again been pushed to the forefront with the incidence of nosocomial infections and antibiotic-resistant organisms, such as methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

To address the spread of infectious diseases in health care settings, hospitals have adopted sets of guidelines and best practices. For example, hospitals have implemented a set of “Universal Precautions” published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which includes precautions to minimize risk of infection with HIV by guarding against contact with blood and certain other bodily fluids known to carry HIV. Hospitals also have adopted “Body Substance Isolation,” which is the practice of isolating all bodily substances (e.g., blood, urine, feces, tears, etc.) of individuals undergoing medical treatment to reduce the chances of transmitting nosocomial infections. Body Substance Isolation is similar in nature to the Universal Precautions, but goes further in isolating other substances not currently known to carry HIV.

The Universal Precautions and Body Substance Isolation urge the use of non-porous protective covers such as gloves, masks, gowns, and protective eyewear to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially infectious material. Further, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) requires health care workers to wear gloves when they come in contact with patients. These precautions are predominantly effective in protecting against the spread of infectious agents from the patient-to-health care worker and from health care worker-to-patient. In addition, health care workers are required to dispose of medical gloves and to dispose of or sterilize instruments in between patients in order to address patient-to-patient transfer of infections agents. Despite these precautions, it has been found that health care workers are the primary cause for patient-to-patient transmission of nosocomial and antibiotic-resistant infections.

One reason for the transmission of contaminants is from medical instruments which may be contaminated by one patient and then be used on another patient and/or may be may be handled by a health care worker who in turn may contact another patient. One such example of a medical instrument is a stethoscope. Similar to other medical instruments, hospitals may recommend sterilization of the entire stethoscope in between each patient examination, for example, by wiping off the entire stethoscopes with a 70% alcohol solution. However, this practice is not followed with great enough frequency in between each patient, and it is rare that the entire stethoscope is adequately sterilized.

As an alternative to sterilization of the medical instrument, many different types of protective covers, shields, and bags for medical instruments have been developed to prevent medical instruments from coming into direct contact with patients. For example, inter alia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,023 to Lawton discloses an elastomeric disk shaped cover applied over the face of the stethoscope head; U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,368 to Plourde discloses a diaphragm shaped cover that is applied to the face of the stethoscope head; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,046 to Turner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,314 to Kendall et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,751 to Weckerle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,957 to Milam, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,568 to Kemper each involve the application of a loose fitting bag over a stethoscope head. However, all of these protective covers, shields, and bags have failed to gain acceptance for one reason or another, most often due to the additional effort required for application and removal, a lack of time, or simply general inconvenience.

Therefore, there is a need for a medical glove that can protect against the transmission of infectious agents from the user of the medical glove and/or the medical instrument that is effective, versatile, easy to apply, and convenient so that it will be used more frequently by health care workers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to exemplary embodiments, a medical glove can comprise a substantially non-porous and fluid impervious elastomeric material that can have a wall thickness of about 0.01 mm to 0.40 mm, a palm portion, adjoining finger portions, a webbing adjoining two of the finger portions that can support, interface with, and/or receive at least some of a medical instrument.

According to exemplary embodiments, the medical glove can be sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand, guard against the transmission of infectious agents, and/or provide tactile sensitivity and dexterity.

According to exemplary embodiments, the webbing can include a flap that can form a medical instrument retaining pocket enclosure that can support, interface with, and/or receive at least some of the medical instrument.

According to exemplary embodiments, the medical instrument can be a stethoscope, speculum, endoscope, surgical light, tongue depressor, otoscope, ultrasound, sonography device, and/or auriscope.

According to exemplary embodiments, the finger portions can be adjoined by the webbing forming a single region for containing two or more fingers of the wearer and/or the webbing can extend between two distinct finger portions.

According to exemplary embodiments, the finger portions can include at least an index finger portion and a middle finger portion and the webbing can adjoin the index finger portion and the middle finger portion and/or the finger portions can include at least a thumb portion and an index finger portion, and the webbing can adjoin the thumb portion and the index finger portion.

According to exemplary embodiments, the medical glove can have a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm-0.20 mm and/or can be constructed of elastomeric material that can be latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride polymer, and/or polyurethane.

According to exemplary embodiments, the medical glove can be an examination glove and/or a surgical glove. Further, according to exemplary embodiments, the webbing can provide acoustic transmissivity and/or support to a piece of medical instrument.

These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a medical glove according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a top plan view of a medical glove according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a top plan view of a medical glove according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the medical glove of FIG. 1A shown with a head of a medical instrument placed against the webbing.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the back-side a medical glove according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with a medical instrument inserted into a pocket in the webbing.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the palm-side of a medical glove according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with the head of a medical instrument inserted into a pocket in the webbing.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the back-side of a medical glove according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with the head of another medical instrument interacting with, being received by, and/or being supported by the webbing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

This invention is directed to a medical glove used to reduce spreading infectious agents by supporting, interfacing with, and/or receiving a medical instrument.

The medical glove may be comprised of an elastomeric material, such as latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, or the like. The elastomeric material may also be a combination of materials. The elastomeric material should be substantially non-porous and impervious to bodily fluids to prevent the spread of infectious agents. Also, the medical glove can be acoustically transmissive so not to interfere with the accuracy and level of sound transmitted to a medical instrument.

The medical glove should be manufactured to the medical glove standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The standards include approved materials, Acceptable Quality Level (AQL), and minimum requirements for palm wall thickness, finger wall thickness, tensile strength, elongation, and modulus. The minimum requirements are generally higher for sterile surgical gloves than for examination gloves.

Referring to FIG. 1A-1C, a medical glove 10 comprises a glove body 20. The medical glove body 20 includes a palm portion 22 and adjoining finger portions 24. The finger portions 24 typically include a thumb portion 24a, an index finger portion 24b, a middle finger portion 24c, a ring finger portion 24d, and a little finger portion 24e. The medical glove body 20 is sized to fit tightly over a wearer's hand.

In exemplary embodiments, the webbing 26 can extend between any other adjoining finger portions 24 and/or a webbing 26 can be formed to adjoin two of the finger portions 24. For example, referring to FIG. 1A, the webbing 26 can extend between the index finger portion 24b and the middle finger portion 24c. As another example, referring to FIG. 1C, the webbing 26 can extend between the thumb portion 24a and the index finger portion 24b. In some instances, the webbing 26 may only be formed between two of the finger portions 24 while the other finger portions 24 can remain separate to, for example, retain maximal dexterity. In some instances, additional webbings may be formed between other finger portions 24 if desired.

In exemplary embodiments, referring to FIG. 1A, the webbing 26 may be formed as a web extending between two separate and distinct finger portions 24 and/or referring to FIG. 1B, the finger portions 24 may be adjoined by the webbing 26 so as to create a single pocket for containing two or more fingers.

The webbing 26 may extend from the base toward the tip of the finger portions 24. The webbing 26 may extend fully or partially toward the tip of the finger portions 24. When the finger portions 24 are separated apart, the webbing 26 can be stretched to provide a substantially smooth surface. This substantially smooth surface can be used for increased acoustic transmissivity and/or can reduce the transmission of infectious agents. When the finger portions 24 are brought close together, the webbing 26 can return to a contracted state.

The webbing 26 can be sized to support, interact, and/or a receiving a medical instrument and/or a portion of a medical instrument such as, but is not limited to, as stethoscope, speculum, endoscope, surgical light, tongue depressor, otoscope, auriscope, ultrasound, sonographic device, laryngoscope handle and blade, and/or any reasonable medical instrument. It will be understood that any medical instrument and/or portion of a medical instrument can be supported, interfaced with, and/or received by the medical glove disclosed herein without deviating from the scope of the invention. For ease, at times, not all forms of medical instruments are discussed rather only one or a few medical instruments such as a stethoscope, and/or stethoscope head and otoscope are discussed. This is merely for ease and is in no way meant to be a limitation.

The medical glove 10 can have a wall thickness sufficient to guard against rips and tears, while also remaining sufficiently thin to retain dexterity and/or feel. For example, the medical glove 10 may have a wall thickness between about 0.01 mm to 0.40 mm. As another example, glove 10 may have a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm. The minimum wall thickness permitted by the FDA is 0.05 mm for examination gloves and 0.10 mm for surgical gloves. The webbing 26, in particular, may be relatively thin when stretched to, for example, minimize distortion in the sound transmitted to a medical instrument.

The medical glove of the present invention can prevent a medical instrument and/or a portion of a medical instrument from coming in direct contact with a patient's skin, thereby providing protection against the transmission of infectious agents. Further, since medical gloves are required to be used by all health care workers, a medical glove that can also be used to protect a medical instrument and/or a portion of a medical instrument during examination of a patient may be used more frequently than other currently available methods protection because of its convenience.

The webbing 26 can be sized to support, interact, and/or receive a medical instrument. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the webbing 26 can be sized to support, interact, and/or receive a stethoscope head 40. Like elements of other medical instruments, stethoscope heads 40 come in different sizes, but stethoscope heads are, generally speaking, about 4 cm to 5 cm in diameter. As another example, referring to FIG. 5, the webbing 26 can be sized to support, interact, and/or receive an otoscope 50.

The webbing 26 can also include a pocket or flap 28 to receive at least a portion of a medical instrument. For example, referring to FIG. 5, the webbing 26 can be designed such that a medical instrument such as, but not limited to, otoscope 50, such that the medical instrument and/or a portion of the medical instrument can rest on a pocket or flap 28. In another example, referring to FIGS. 3-4, the webbing 26 can also include a pocket or flap 28 to receive at least a portion of stethoscope head 40. This pocket or flap 28 may assist in holding the medical instrument in place. The pocket or flap 28 may be located on the back side (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 3) and/or the palm side (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 4) of the webbing 26.

In use, a health care worker wearing the medical glove 10 can separate two of their fingers between which the webbing 26 is connected, for example, their index finger and middle finger as depicted in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the finger portions 24b and 24c can be separated and the webbing 26 can stretch to form a substantially smooth surface. The health care worker can then place the medical instrument against the webbing 26 and press against a patient's body. For example, the health care worker can then place stethoscope head 40 against the webbing 26 and presses against a patient's body. The webbing 26 can form a protective barrier between the medical instrument and the patient.

Now that exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification.

Claims

1. Protective equipment for a medical instrument, comprising:

a medical glove for guarding against the transmission of infectious agents, said glove formed of a substantially non-porous and fluid impervious elastomeric material sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand having a wall thickness of about 0.01 mm to 0.40 mm and provides tactile sensitivity, dexterity, and acoustic transmissivity, said glove comprising:

a palm portion,

adjoining finger portions, and

a webbing adjoining two of said finger portions; and

wherein said webbing material provides acoustic transmissivity to a medical instrument.

2. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the webbing is further comprising a flap forming a medical instrument retaining pocket enclosure that at least one of supports, interfaces with, and receives at least some portion of the medical instrument.

3. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the medical instrument is at least one of stethoscope, speculum, endoscope, surgical light, tongue depressor, otoscope, ultrasound, sonography device, auriscope, and laryngoscope handle and blade.

4. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the finger portions are adjoined by the webbing forming a single region for containing two or more fingers of the wearer.

5. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the webbing extends between two distinct finger portions.

6. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the finger portions include at least an index finger portion and a middle finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the index finger portion and the middle finger portion.

7. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the finger portions include at least a thumb portion and an index finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the thumb portion and the index finger portion.

8. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the medical glove has a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm-0.20 mm.

9. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride polymer, and polyurethane.

10. The protective equipment of claim 1, wherein the medical glove is at least one of an examination glove and a surgical glove.

11. The protective equipment of claim, wherein the webbing material at least one supports, interacts with, and receives at least some portion the medical equipment.

12. A medical glove, comprising:

a palm portion,

adjoining finger portions,

a webbing adjoining two of the finger portions;

wherein the medical glove is constructed of a substantially non-porous and fluid impervious elastomeric material having a wall thickness of about 0.01 mm to 0.40 mm; and

wherein the webbing at least one of supports, interfaces with, and receives at least some portion of a medical instrument.

13. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the medical glove is at least one of sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand, guards against the transmission of infectious agents, and provides tactile sensitivity and dexterity.

14. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the webbing is further comprising a flap forming a medical instrument retaining pocket enclosure that at least one of supports, interfaces with, and receives at least some portion of the medical instrument.

15. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the medical instrument is at least one of stethoscope, speculum, endoscope, surgical light, tongue depressor, otoscope, ultrasound, sonography device, auriscope, and laryngoscope handle and blade.

16. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the finger portions are adjoined by the webbing forming a single region for containing two or more fingers of the wearer.

17. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the webbing extends between two distinct finger portions.

18. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the finger portions include at least an index finger portion and a middle finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the index finger portion and the middle finger portion.

19. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the finger portions include at least a thumb portion and an index finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the thumb portion and the index finger portion.

20. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the medical glove has a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm-0.20 mm.

21. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride polymer, and polyurethane.

22. The medical glove of claim 12, wherein the medical glove is at least one of an examination glove and a surgical glove.

23. The medical glove of claim 1, wherein the webbing material provides at least one of acoustic transmissivity and support to an additional piece of medical equipment.