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WO1997038597A1 - Article de protection recouvrant la main et le membre anterieur - Google Patents

Article de protection recouvrant la main et le membre anterieur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997038597A1
WO1997038597A1 PCT/US1997/005895 US9705895W WO9738597A1 WO 1997038597 A1 WO1997038597 A1 WO 1997038597A1 US 9705895 W US9705895 W US 9705895W WO 9738597 A1 WO9738597 A1 WO 9738597A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
glove
arm portion
fluid
arm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1997/005895
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael R. Ross
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/789,295 external-priority patent/US5734992A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU27254/97A priority Critical patent/AU2725497A/en
Publication of WO1997038597A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997038597A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D19/00—Gloves
    • A41D19/0055—Plastic or rubber gloves
    • A41D19/0082—Details
    • A41D19/0089—Joints between glove and cuff or garment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/08—Arm or hand
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D19/00—Gloves
    • A41D19/0055—Plastic or rubber gloves
    • A41D19/0058—Three-dimensional gloves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D19/00—Gloves
    • A41D19/0044—Cuff portions
    • A41D19/0048—Cuff portions with cuff securing features

Definitions

  • This invention concerns protective articles for use in handling fluids contaminated with fluid- borne pathogens. More particularly, the present invention concerns surgical gloves and examination gloves that cover the hand and a portion of the arm to provide a barrier to transmission of fluid-borne pathogens, yet permit transmission of tactile sensations to a wearer' s hands and relatively unrestricted hand and arm movement.
  • Protective gloves have traditionally been used for medical and surgical procedures and examinations. Such protective gloves serve two fundamental functions: to protect patients by maintaining sterility, and to reduce the transmission of fluid-borne pathogens from the patient to the individual wearing the gloves. Such gloves are generally fluid-impermeable and are designed to allow the wearer the greatest amount of tactile sensation and a range of motion of the hand. Standard protective gloves of this type generally cover the hand and extend to the wrist or distal-most forearm.
  • Contamination of the sterile portions of gloves can only be minimized by having the person who is to perform a procedure wear sterile gloves along with a full, sterile surgical gown.
  • Complete sterile gowning is difficult to achieve and is generally only undertaken for procedures in operating rooms and for selected special procedures (e.g., angiography) .
  • the vast majority of sterile procedures are performed with the health care worker wearing only gloves, leaving the upper arms and at least a substantial portion of the forearms exposed to, and as potential causative sources of, infection.
  • Protective gloves that facilitate transmission of tactile sensation are also worn by individuals m settings other than sterile health care settings.
  • Disposable sleeves are known for use with previously known wrist-length gloves to provide a measure of protection against contamination of the upper arm, and in addition, may provide sterile cover for the upper arms for use in surgical applications.
  • Such sleeves which are generally made of polyethylene, spun polypropylene, or Tyvek®, include a tubular sleeve having an elastic band at either end.
  • An example of such a non-sterile sleeve is Model No. 260 Disposable Sleeve, manufactured by Champaign Plastics Co, Champaign, Illinois; an example of a sterile sleeve is the Convertors® Sterile Sleeve, Cat. No. 599, manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, Illinois.
  • a drawback of such disposable sleeves is that they generally must be donned after the wearer dons the wrist length glove, thus creating the opportunity for the sterile glove to contact non-sterile surfaces when the sleeves are donned.
  • Such sleeves offer little resistance to seepage of contaminated fluids where the distal end of the sleeve meets the glove.
  • the additional time required to separately don sleeves does not lend itself to use in time-critical emergency situations.
  • Full-length gloves are known for use in veterinary applications, for example, treatment and artificial insemination of large animals, such as cows, that comprise a hand portion and a portion that extends up to the shoulder of the wearer.
  • An example of such gloves is the Shoulder Length Glove, Model No. 905, manufactured by Champaign Plastics Co., Champaign, Illinois.
  • These gloves are generally formed of polyethylene and are intended primarily to protect the clothes of the individual wearing the gloves.
  • the gloves are neither sterile, fluid impermeable, nor do they provide adequate transmission of tactile sensation to enable their use m medical procedures.
  • a protective article having a glove portion and an extended portion that covers the arm and wherein the glove portion and extended portion are sterile, thereby re ⁇ ucmg the risk of infection from the forearms and the need to change gloves.
  • the article constructed in accordance with the present invention provides a continuous sterile area that protects the wearer's hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and portions of the upper arm below the shoulder from exposure to fluid-borne pathogens.
  • the article constructed m accordance with this invention also provides all of the functionality of existing medical and surgical gloves, including a snug, form-fit on the hand and wrist required for full dexterity and transmission of tactile sensation.
  • the glove and arm portions comprise a fluid impermeable material that provides transmission of tactile sensation at least in the glove portion.
  • the glove portion and arm portion of the article comprise different materials, so that at least the glove portion provides the tactile sensation and manual dexterity required by health care gloves.
  • Means are also provided for cinching the extended portions of the gloves in the vicinity of the wrist and upper arm so as to prevent the extended portion of the article from inadvertently entering the sterile field. Methods of producing such protective articles are also disclosed.
  • FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a flexed right arm of an individual wearing an article in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the bond site of the article depicted in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the proximal end of the article of FIG. 1 depicting exemplary structure for cinching the proximal end of the article to a wearer's upper arm;
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are, respectively, a frontal view of an alternative embodiment of an article constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing alternative means of cinching the article in the vicinity of the wrist and upper arm, and a view of the article disposed on the arm of an individual wearer.
  • the present invention provides a protective article comprising a glove-like component and a component that extends protective coverage to well above the wrist and distal forearm typically to the proximal portion of the upper arm.
  • Protective articles in accordance with the invention afford greater protection to both patients and health care workers as well as the other personnel for whom fluid and pathogen protection is indicated.
  • the invention maintains all the advantages of previously known form- fitted molded health care gloves.
  • health care gloves are gloves designed for use m sterile medical contexts (to prevent contamination of a sterile field on a patient, and to protect the wearer from fluids and infectious agents) , and gloves used in non-sterile settings to prevent infection of the glove wearer.
  • Surgical gloves are made in a range of sizes to provide a snug fit with a high degree of transmission of tactile sensation, and are typically packaged in a sterile condition, two matched gloves to a package.
  • Surgical gloves may be formed of latex, neoprene, vinyl or nitrile.
  • Examination gloves by contrast, are often ambidextrous, non-sterile, packaged m quantity, and come in only a few sizes (e.g., small, medium and large) .
  • Other types of medical gloves are also known, such as orthopedic gloves and microsurgical gloves.
  • Microsurgical gloves are used with microsurgical instruments and are generally thinner than standard surgical gloves to provide greater transmission of tactile sensation.
  • the present invention may be advantageously used in all of the foregoing applications.
  • Protective article 10 has a distal portion 12 and proximal portion 14 that extends to fully cover forearm F and at least a portion of upper arm U past elbow E.
  • Protective article 10 includes means for cinching 16, for example, an elastic band, to gather the glove snugly to the arm in the vicinity of wrist W.
  • structure 18, which may also be an elastic band, is provided adjacent to proximal end 20 of protective article 10 for cinching proximal end 20 of the article to the upper arm of the wearer.
  • At least distal portion 12 of protective article 10 comprises a material that is both fluid impermeable and capable of transmitting tactile sensation.
  • distal portion 12 may comprise molded neoprene, a vinyl compound, nitrile, rubber or latex.
  • proximal portion 16 comprises a similar or different material than distal portion 12, and is also fluid impermeable.
  • Cinching means 16 and 18 of protective article 10 may comprise, for example, an elastic band, drawstring, snap, adhesive tape, VELCRO or other structure to allow the article to fit snugly around the wrist or upper arm.
  • distal portion 12 of protective article 10 comprises a highly elastic material, such as a natural or synthetic rubber or a latex compound, the distal portion may have sufficient resiliency in the region of wrist W so as to make provision of cinching means 14 unnecessary.
  • distal portion 12 and proximal portion 14 are constructed from different pieces of material comprising different types of material.
  • distal portion 12 may comprise an elastic material such as neoprene or latex
  • proximal portion 16 may comprise vinyl, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or nitrile.
  • distal portion 12 is joined to proximal portion 16 to form a fluid-tight bond 22 in the vicinity of wrist W.
  • Proximal portion 16 may extend for any distance above the distal forearm to and preferably above the elbow.
  • proximal end 20 of protective article 10 may terminate near the axilla.
  • distal portion 12 will also be referred to as a "glove portion” and proximal portion 14 will also be referred to as an "arm portion.”
  • the glove portion comprises a different material than that of the arm portion; in an alternative family of embodiments, the glove and arm portions may comprise the same material.
  • the material of glove portion 12 comprises an elastic material, such as neoprene, a latex compound or a natural or synthetic rubber compound, such as conventionally used for health care gloves.
  • the material of the glove portion is preferably between .006 and .009 inch.
  • the glove portion is preferably formed by dipping molded hand forms into liquid latex or rubber material, curing and then removing the cured glove portion from the form. An art-recognized range of hand-shaped forms are used so as to produce a glove portion/distal portion which fits the range of hand sizes in the general public.
  • Arm portion 14 is preferably formed of a fluid impermeable, thin, flexible plastic or synthetic material, for example polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl or nitrile. Materials of this type are commercially available and are often used to construct surgical drapes, gowns and examination gloves.
  • the arm portion is constructed of a fluid-impermeable material having a tubular configuration. The arm portion is attached to the glove portion with a fluid-impermeable seal around the circumference of the proximal portion of the glove portion. Relative to the glove portion, the arm portion is of a size to fit somewhat loosely about the wearer's upper extremity.
  • the arm portion has a circumferential area of a size that fits comfortably around the arm, but not of a size so large as to undesirably fall into a sterile field or fall onto the glove portion.
  • the arm portion has a sufficient native circumference so as to allow essentially full range of upper extremity motion, yet is not so large as to fall onto the glove portion, or to inadvertently fall into a sterile field.
  • the arm portion will have a circumference between 10 cm and 30 cm.
  • protective article 10 of the invention is cinched down snugly around the wearer's forearm F in the vicinity of wrist W.
  • Snug cinching of the cinched area around the wearer's forearm is advantageous; if this area were not in close approximation to the wearer's extremity, the relatively full material of the arm portion might interfere with the motion of the wearer's hand.
  • glove portion 12 and arm portion 14 are attached at site 22 in a manner that permits expansion so that the wearer's hand can be passed through.
  • the area at the wearers wrist at site 22 will generally expand up to 1.5-5 times its native circumference.
  • glove portion 12 preferably extends outside of arm portion 14 and is affixed thereto by conventional means, such as a suitable adhesive, ultrasonic welding or heat welding technique to provide a fluid impermeable bond.
  • the joint may be formed by sewing the components together, followed by impregnating the stitching with a suitable fluid impermeable epoxy or resin.
  • arm portion 14 is sized so as to have the ability to be pulled over other garments, and is comfortable to wearers when worn over other clothing items, similar to any garment type sleeve used in surgical gowns or attire.
  • the arm portion remains loose as compared to the glove portion.
  • One preferred structure for maintaining the position of proximal end 20 of arm portion 14 relative to the wearer's upper arm is cinching means 18, which comprises an elastic or rubber band that is glued, sewn or bonded to the proximal end, or is incorporated into a rollover of the proximal end.
  • Cinching means 18 at proximal end 20 of arm portion 14 is sized so that the proximal end cinches down comfortably but snugly at the upper arm; it allows for easy expansion of the proximal end of the arm portion when putting the glove on so it can pass over the widest aspect of the upper extremity, the hand.
  • protective article 30 comprises a single piece of elastic material, such as neoprene, other natural or synthetic rubber compound, or latex material of a type used m standard health care gloves.
  • the protective article of the present invention does not terminate proximally near the wearer's wrist, but extends to the wearer's upper arm.
  • the single piece article 30 has glove portion 32, arm portion 34, slack portion 36 and cinching means 38 spaced apart on slack portion 36.
  • Glove portion 32 covers the hand and is sized and molded in accordance with knowledge known in the art to provide high levels of tactile sensation and dexterity.
  • arm portion 34 of the article Extending proximally from the wrist, arm portion 34 of the article has a substantially larger circumference than the wrist, and includes slack portion 36 which is sized to be larger than the average diameter of the forearm and upper arm for specified body types.
  • arm portion 34 has a circumference (including that of slack portion 36) which is preferably one-and-a-half to five-times greater than that of the wrist region.
  • Cinching means 38 which may comprise, for example, adhesive straps, VELCRO strips, snaps, hook and eyelets, or string ties, are provided to form fit arm portion 34 snugly to the wearer's forearm and upper arm.
  • slack portion 36 of arm portion 34 facilitates in donning protective article 30, yet may be folded against the remainder of arm portion 34, and retained there by deploying cinching means 38.
  • cinching means 38 retain arm portion 34 snugly against the wrist, forearm and upper arm, while ensuring that the arm portion of the protective article is held clear of the sterile field.
  • modes of manufacture comprise use of a spreading device.
  • a spreading device has a generally cylindrical component which is capable of providing different circumferential areas. Namely, the spreading device is capable of sustaining a first and a larger second circumference. The first circumference is incrementally smaller than the native circumference of the wrist portion of a health care glove; the second circumference closely corresponds to the native circumference of the arm portion of the glove.
  • the spreading device provides shapes of various circumferential areas, for example, by use of a fluid-filled balloon component which has sufficient rigidity at a first diameter so that a health care glove can be readily placed thereon.
  • the spreading device can comprise a substantially rigid device formed by material such as metal or plastic; this embodiment is narrower distally and wider proximally; the health care glove is rolled on at the distal of the spreading device and the wrist portion of the glove becomes expanded as it is rolled onto the wider proximal portion of the device. Again the wrist portion of the glove is expanded to a degree such that its circumference corresponds to the larger native circumference of the arm portion. Thus, the wrist portion of the glove is expanded by use of a spreading device. Such expansion provides a smooth essentially firm or rigid surface area on the glove to which the sleeve/arm portion is attached.
  • the arm portion is attached to the glove portion of the article by adhesive bonding with a liquid adhesive or flexible cement.
  • the sleeve is bonded to the wrist of the glove portion with a neoprene-based contact cement comprising nonphotoreactive chemical solvents.
  • the glove and arm portions are allowed to cure with the system held m the expanded state.
  • the glove and arm are heat sealed to one another in accordance with art- recognized procedures. It is preferred that there be a liquid tight, and more preferably fluid tight, seal between the glove and arm portions.
  • the spreading device Upon curing or mechanical fastening, the spreading device is reduced to one of its smaller circumferential areas, or otherwise removed, and it is withdrawn through the sleeve which is open proximally.
  • the protective article Upon removal of the joined glove and arm portions from the spreading device, the protective article retracts back to the native state of expansion of the glove portion at the wrist area, and the rest of the sleeve remains at its normal wider circumference.
  • Pleat-like folds at bonded area 18 occur upon elastic recoil of the glove portion.
  • the pleated folds of the seal allow expansion so that a wearer can pull the completed product over his or her hand.
  • the expansion is preferably on the order of 1.5- to 5-t ⁇ mes the native circumference of bonded area 18. Since the seal at or near the wrist shrinks down to the original circumference of the glove portion, the article has the standard tightness and grip at this area and glove roll down is not a problem.
  • the mechanism for retaining the proximal-most aspect of the protective article on the upper arm of a wearer may be achieved by attaching to the proximal end of the arm portion a mechanical fastener such as, but not limited to, : VELCRO, elastic band, snaps, or drawstring, as described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • a mechanical fastener such as, but not limited to, : VELCRO, elastic band, snaps, or drawstring, as described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • Such fasteners are attached m accordance with standard methods.
  • Modes of manufacture of the second family of embodiments of FIG. 4 are similar to that described above for the glove portion of FIG. 1. However, it is expected that the protective article is formed on a mold having an extended portion forming the arm portion and slack portion 36. Cinching means 38, for example, strips of removable adhesive tape or VELCRO strips, are then permanently affixed at one end along the length of the arm portion beginning near the wrist.
  • the article m accordance with the present invention may be advantageously employed as a surgical glove, examination glove, or in other applications where it is desired to provide extended coverage of the wearer's limb.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Gloves (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un article de protection étendu (10) comportant une partie distale (12) et une partie proximale (14) disposées de façon à couvrir complètement et à protéger l'avant-bras (F) et au moins une partie du bras (U) du porteur au-delà du coude (E). Cet article de protection comporte un organe d'attachement (16) permettant d'assembler affleuré un gant au niveau du poignet (W). De la même façon, une structure (18) permet d'attacher l'extrémité proximale (20) de l'article de protection sur le bras (U) du porteur.
PCT/US1997/005895 1996-04-12 1997-04-11 Article de protection recouvrant la main et le membre anterieur Ceased WO1997038597A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU27254/97A AU2725497A (en) 1996-04-12 1997-04-11 Protective hand and arm covering article

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US63126196A 1996-04-12 1996-04-12
US08/631,261 1996-04-12
US08/789,295 US5734992A (en) 1997-01-28 1997-01-28 Protective hand and arm covering article
US08/789,295 1997-01-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997038597A1 true WO1997038597A1 (fr) 1997-10-23

Family

ID=27091340

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/005895 Ceased WO1997038597A1 (fr) 1996-04-12 1997-04-11 Article de protection recouvrant la main et le membre anterieur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2725497A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997038597A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2838924A1 (fr) * 2002-04-24 2003-10-31 Showa Co Ltd Gant de protection
EP2272388A3 (fr) * 2009-07-08 2011-12-21 Philip Joseph Hartley Vêtement

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4918754A (en) * 1988-05-04 1990-04-24 William C. Heller, Jr. Flocked glove and plastic sleeve member bonded thereto
GB2237975A (en) * 1989-11-04 1991-05-22 Josaphat Joseph Kabukoba Protective sleeve, e.g. for medical use

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4918754A (en) * 1988-05-04 1990-04-24 William C. Heller, Jr. Flocked glove and plastic sleeve member bonded thereto
GB2237975A (en) * 1989-11-04 1991-05-22 Josaphat Joseph Kabukoba Protective sleeve, e.g. for medical use

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2838924A1 (fr) * 2002-04-24 2003-10-31 Showa Co Ltd Gant de protection
EP2272388A3 (fr) * 2009-07-08 2011-12-21 Philip Joseph Hartley Vêtement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2725497A (en) 1997-11-07

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