Medical Hand Guard with Segmented Pockets and Antimicrobial Fabric

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Solution Overview

Problem

Healthcare workers frequently come into contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission, as existing solutions like gloves are not always effective or practical for frequent use.

Innovation Solution

A medical hand guard with metal ion-impregnated antimicrobial fabric and pockets for the thumb and index/middle finger, providing a barrier while allowing tactile interaction with surfaces, optionally attachable to a lab coat or retractable holder, minimizing direct contact with contaminated surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gloves are used to prevent pathogen transmission, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced tactile sensitivity and dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidtactile sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hand guard is segmented into a base pad covering the back of the hand and separate pockets for the thumb and index/middle fingers, allowing dexterous fingers to remain exposed for tactile operation while the non-dexterous back of the hand is protected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the hand receive different levels of protection: the back of the hand receives full coverage with antimicrobial fabric for maximum protection, while the fingers maintain exposed pockets for tactile sensitivity and dexterity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional gloves are used to prevent pathogen transmission, then protection effectiveness is improved, but loss of time worsens due to frequent donning and doffing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidtime for donning and doffing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hand guard incorporates elastic bands and flexible materials that allow rapid expansion when donned and contraction when removed, enabling quick deployment and retrieval without complex fastening or unfastening procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hand guard is designed as a reusable but easily replaceable device that can be quickly discarded and replaced with a fresh unit, eliminating the time-consuming process of sterilizing and storing reusable gloves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional gloves are used to prevent pathogen transmission, then protection effectiveness is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to single-use disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidwaste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The hand guard is designed for repeated use through its durable yet flexible construction, allowing it to be removed, stored, and reused multiple times, thereby reducing the frequency of disposal and material consumption compared to single-use gloves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Reliability

If a full hand covering is used to prevent pathogen transmission, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to reduced dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidhand dexterity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of covering the entire hand, the hand guard applies protection only to the portions that require it (back of hand, wrist), leaving the dexterous fingers partially exposed to maintain operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The hand guard effectively reduces the risk of pathogen transmission by creating a barrier between the user's hand and contaminated surfaces, allowing for quick and easy use, reusability, and reduced waste compared to conventional gloves.

Implementation Method 1

The contact surface can include metal ion-impregnated, antimicrobial fabric that is designed to minimize pathogenic accumulation on the contact surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Data Source

PatentUS12178661B2Medical hand guard

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 LOBER STEPHEN BRUCE

AI summary

A medical hand guard that serve as a protective barrier between a user's hand and potentially contaminated surfaces is disclosed. The medical band guard can comprise a base pad and first and second pockets that are configured to receive a respective thumb and finger of the user. The medical hand guard can define a contact surface opposite the first and second pockets.