Endoscopy glove

Abstract

An endoscopy glove made of a material that provides a user with body fluid protection, tactile sensation and gripping ability for manipulating an endoscope when body fluids are present. The endoscopy glove has a body portion, a finger covering portion and a thumb covering. The body portion has a palmar surface and a dorsal surface where the palmar surface is a material having absorbing and gripping characteristics even when wet. The finger covering portion includes an index finger covering and a remaining finger covering portion where the index finger covering has a tactile portion that is a material having tactile characteristics similar to surgical gloves.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to gloves. Particularly, the present invention relates to an endoscopy glove used for medical procedures. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Gloves are worn for a variety of reasons. Gloves can be worn decoratively, for protection, or to improve object handling. As a protective layer, gloves shield the hand from external elements such as temperature, contaminants, sharp materials, and impact forces. To improve object handling, gloves can be contoured to make them more adhesive. [0005] Gloves are worn consistently in the medical profession. They provide a barrier of protection between the patient and doctor to prevent the transmission of infection or contaminants. Typically, medical gloves are pin-hole free to provide an impenetrable barrier of protection to both the patient and the doctor. Medical gloves are also thin to retain tactile sensation and hand dexterity. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a glove for use with medical equipment. It is another object of the present invention to provide a glove for use with endoscopic instruments. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a glove which retains its gripping action even when wet, i.e. exposed to body fluids. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a glove that maintains its gripping capabilities when exposed to body fluids and provides sufficient tactile feeling for the intended use. It is another object of the present invention to make a glove that is inexpensive to manufacture.

[0029] The present invention also includes a combination embodiment. The combination embodiment includes a surgical glove and an index fingerless terry cloth-like glove that fits over the surgical glove. The terry cloth-like-glove provides the absorbing, wicking and gripping characteristics for manipulating an endoscope while the absence of an index finger on the terry cloth-like glove allows the tactile feeling provided by the surgical glove. This embodiment is a less expensive alternative that is reusable and easily sterilized.

Problems solved by technology

Most surgical procedures, however, expose the gloved hands of the caregiver to body fluids.

Body fluids make the surface of the surgical glove slippery, which is especially burdensome when handling medical equipment.

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