Puncture And/Or Cut Resistant Glove Having Maximized Dexterity, Tactility, And Comfort

Abstract

A glove or partial glove comprising a palmar portion and a dorsal portion comprising one or more finger / thumb extensions, the portions joined together at a sealed seam, the seam positioned such that the seam on each of the finger / thumb extensions is positioned adjacent the dorsal aspect of the user's finger / thumb with the palmar aspect extending over the fingertip in a hood-like configuration. The glove portions may comprise a shear-thickening-fluid (STF) treated textile base, including a multi-ply construction in which each ply comprises an STF-treated textile base. The glove may comprise an integral pathogen barrier, such as a coating that is impervious to blood and bloodborne pathogens, and may have one or more features that aids donning and / or provides an adjustable fit. The glove or partial glove may be a first glove in a glove system including at least a second, latex glove to be worn over the first glove.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 321,726, titled “GLOVE DESIGN FOR MAXIMIZING DEXTERITY, TACTILITY, AND COMFORT,” filed Apr. 7, 2020; U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 321,732, titled “PUNCTURE AND / OR CUT RESISTANT SURGICAL GLOVE HAVING VIRAL BARRIER PROPERTIES,” filed Apr. 7, 2020; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 321,720, titled “ELECTRICAL DETECTION APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE PUNCTURE FORCE REQUIRED TO BREACH A BARRIER MATERIAL,” filed on Apr. 7, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to gloves and glove systems, particularly surgical gloves and glove systems offering one or more of puncture resistance, a pathogen barrier, and / or suitable dexterity, tactility, and comfort for the wearer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Surgical gloves are typically made from natural rubber latex or a synthetic el...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a new type of glove that can be easily donned and has features including a stretchable back panel or a slit in the middle. The glove also has an adjustable fit with options like a drawstring or elastic band. This makes it much easier to don the glove and stay in it for longer periods of time.

Problems solved by technology

However, latex gloves offer a vanishingly small level of resistance to puncture by a hypodermic or suture needle.

While these existing materials have some resistance to puncture, the mechanical properties of these materials are such that they have a strong negative influence on dexterity and tactile sensitivity when incorporated into a surgical glove.

Existing puncture resistant materials are typically very stiff and may severely hinder the comfort and tactile sensitivity of the wearer.

Solid puncture resistant materials, such as polyethylene or leather, do not have the tip-puncture problem associated with textiles, but may be unacceptably stiff and therefore lead to severe reductions in dexterity and tactile sensitivity.

The thickness of prior art three glove systems may significantly reduce dexterity and tactile sensation and may also be inconvenient to don.

It is particularly difficult to design a textile to protect against medical needles.

Dense woven materials can sometimes provide a degree of needle protection, but the high fiber modulus and yarn count means that the materials may be quite stiff compared to a latex surgical glove.

Flexibility on the length scale of hand movement alone may not be sufficient to permit a surgeon to carry out the delicate manipulations required to perform successful surgery.

Dense, stiff or thick materials do not afford sufficient tactile sensation to allow unhindered performance of operations requiring tactile feedback.

In tests requiring tactile evaluation, however, such as comparing the textures of two objects, surgeons took up to twice as long to complete the task while wearing the puncture-resistant liners as compared to latex gloves.

While a protective glove may permit the surgeon to perform basic motor operations with an acceptable level of hindrance, such gloves may be detrimental to operations requiring fine tactile sensation.

Alternative surgical gloves designed to offer needle puncture protection acknowledge the inadequate flexibility and tactility afforded by the puncture resistant textiles and uses stiff protective material as reinforcement only in the regions that are most likely to be punctured.

Unfortunately, for many applications, the most at-risk digits may also be the digits most used in manipulation of instruments and palpation of tissue, and the stiff woven puncture pads may still interfere with operations.

Knit high-modulus fibers have therefore been considered for puncture protective materials, but these knits may still lack the close fit and high tactile sensitivity desirable for surgical use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,127 to Manne describes a surgical glove comprising a panel of knitted textile made from a high strength material, such as steel, affixed to one aspect of a barrier glove, but such a glove is believed to have less-than-ideal flexibility.

Hard materials used to provide puncture-resistant functionality are not likely able to closely conform to small objects, so gloves incorporating such materials suffer from poor tactile sensitivity in the areas adjacent such materials.

Where multiple layers of plates are required to prevent the needle from piercing through interstitial spaces between plates, such embodiments are unlikely to offer the level of tactility and close fit desirable in a surgical glove.

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