Medical utility cupped fingertip glove

Abstract

The medical utility-cupped fingertip glove 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. The device protects a patient's intravenous plug (IV) without feeder tube, whether located on the hand or the arm, while showering. There may be additional uses. The invention is designed to allow maximum use of hand and fingers by form fitting tips of the four phalanges and thumb, while providing sufficient leeway in the remainder of its design to easily fit over a protected area. The glove remains in place through the use of an elastic band that secures the uppermost portion of the glove 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 size 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

[0009] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a protective device or medical utility-cupped fingertip glove for preventing water, soap and other liquids from coming into contact with an intravenous plug when a patient is showering.

[0010] The medical utility-cupped fingertip glove is designed for use in hospital, homes and facilities where medical attention is provided to individuals who require protection from exposure or contamination to their arm and hand. The medical utility-cupped fingertip glove will serve the purpose of encasing the fingers, hand and arm, providing protection from liquids or airborne materials, which may contaminate a sensitive area or medical device. In its most common use, the medical utility-cupped fingertip glove will protect a patient's intravenous plug (IV), whether located on the hand or the arm, during the performance of necessary hygiene, more specifically when showering or bathing. Additional uses may include, but are not limited to protecting a patient's bandaged areas or cast.

[0012] The medical utility-cupped fingertip glove itself is designed to be ambidextrous, given the non-distinguishing characteristic for movement to any one hand. The medical glove form fits to the tip of each finger, covering, at the minimum, the first knuckle of each finger and thumb, and as much as the middle knuckle of each finger and thumb, depending on an individual's hand size. Immediately after the form fitting portion over each fingertip, the glove provides generous room in the areas where the glove 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-cupped fingertip glove 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-cupped fingertip glove's composition consists of latex material construction, with the possibility for a different material to be utilized in later versions.

[0013] 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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