Surgical Gloves with Embedded Support Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing surgical gloves with integrated surgical support systems are not cost-effective and can compromise the glove's barrier properties, failing to meet regulatory standards when attempting to embed support systems post-formation.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a former with depression portions for receiving functional components, allowing for an interference fit and embedding of surgical systems and discrete elements within a polymer coating to form robust, elastomeric gloves with integrated surgical support systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If surgical support systems are attached post-formation to conventional surgical gloves, then the gloves can provide multi-functional surgical capabilities, but the barrier properties of the gloves are compromised and regulatory standards cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functional surgical capabilitiesVSAvoidbarrier properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the surgical glove formation process with the embedding of surgical support systems into a single integrated process. The former is designed with recesses that receive the support systems during the glove formation itself, so the glove material encapsulates the support systems as it cures, creating an integrated unit that maintains barrier integrity while providing multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical support systems are positioned in recesses of the former before the glove material is applied and cured. This preliminary positioning ensures that the support systems are embedded within the glove material during formation, rather than attached afterward, preserving the barrier properties from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If surgical support systems are embedded post-formation, then multi-functional gloves can be created, but the manufacturing process becomes costly and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functional surgical capabilitiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing steps into one: the former design with integrated recesses allows support systems to be positioned and embedded during the single glove formation and curing cycle. This eliminates separate post-formation attachment steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to produce multi-functional gloves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If conventional glove manufacturing techniques are used, then high volume production meeting regulatory standards is achieved, but integrated surgical support systems cannot be included

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh volume production capabilityVSAvoidintegrated surgical support systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The former is designed with specific local modifications - recesses at predetermined locations where surgical support systems need to be embedded. The rest of the former maintains its conventional shape for standard glove formation. This allows the manufacturing process to remain compatible with high-volume production while locally accommodating integrated support systems in specific glove regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The modified former can produce gloves with various configurations of surgical support systems by simply changing which components are placed in the recesses, while maintaining the same basic manufacturing process. This universal approach allows one former design to support multiple product variants, preserving high-volume production capability while enabling customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9241764B2Method of making polymeric gloves having embedded surgical support systems and discrete elements

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 SCHNEIDER ANDREW I

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a glove that includes discrete elements and component systems, such as, but not limited to, lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation, attached to the surgical glove. The gloves produced by this method can be used as surgical gloves or for other industrial applications. In a particular application, the method includes providing a former comprising a hand-shaped portion and a first surgical system comprising a first surgical instrument, and a first switch for controlling the first surgical system. The former includes a first depression for receiving the first surgical system. The first depression is adapted to produce an interference fit with at least a portion of the first surgical system. The first surgical system can be loaded into the first depression and a polymer coating can be applied over the loaded former to form a surgical glove.