Medical utility mitten

Abstract

The medical utility mitten is designed for use in hospital, homes and facilities where medical attention is provided. The invention encases the fingers, hand and arm, providing protection from contaminants from a sensitive area or medical device. The medical utility glove protects a patient's intravenous plug (IV) without the feeder tube, whether located on the hand or the arm, while showering or bathing. There may be additional uses. The invention is designed to allow maximum use of hand and fingers, while providing leeway in the remainder of its design to easily fit over a protected area. Once placed over the extremity, it remains in place through the use of an elastic band that secures the glove position, midway between the wrist and the elbow, by wrapping securely around the arm. The invention is ambidextrous and has multiple sizes, dependent upon the body of the user.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,741,203, 3,906,941, 4,610,245, 4,639,945, 5,063,919, 5,342,286, 5,395,302 STATEMENT REGARDING FED SPONSORED R & D [0002] This project was not Federally sponsored by grant award of a federal agency. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The invention relates to protective devices for limbs. In particular, the present invention is related to devices for preventing a portion of a limb from getting wet when a person wearing the device is taking a shower. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006] Devices for protecting limbs is known in the art. Some of the protective device known in the art prevents a portion of a hand or arm from coming into contact with soap and water while bathing or showering. [0007] However, none of the protective devices of the prior art effectively preventing water from contacting an IV site. By IV site is meant the site at which a catheter enters a vein for intrav...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a protective device or medical utility mitten for preventing water, soap and other liquids from coming into contact with an intravenous plug when a patient is showering.

[0013] The medical utility mitten itself is designed to be ambidextrous, given the non-distinguishing characteristic for movement to any one hand. The medical utility mitten form fits tightly over the four phalanges and thumb. Immediately after the form fitting portion over the four phalanges and thumb, the mitten provides generous room in the areas where the mitten fits over the remainder of the hand and arm, providing a very loose fit with leeway to the top, bottom and sides of the hand and arm. This can be described as a balloon effect with some consideration to the general shape of an individual's hand and arm. The medical utility mitten has significant give in its shape over the fingers, hands and arm so as to easily fit over and intravenous plug, bandage and even a cast. The uppermost portion of the medical utility mitten's composition consists of latex material construction, with the possibility for a different material to be utilized in later versions.

[0014] The present invention has several advantages. The first advantage is the protection of an IV site from liquids and soap during showering. Next, the prevention of an infection of an IV site during showering. In addition, the invention saves time for the nurse and patient with an IV site during cleaning of the body of the patient by enabling the patient to take a shower with little or no help from a nurse. Furthermore, the invention has the advantage of being low in cost.

Problems solved by technology

However, none of the protective devices of the prior art effectively preventing water from contacting an IV site.

However, leakage occurs around the tube connected to the catheter where the IV plug enters the tape or bag.

Liquids contacting the IV site can contaminate the site and loosen the bandage or tape holding the catheter to the limb.

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