Surgical glove with modified frictional interface and method for producing same

Abstract

An elastomeric article having a mechanically or chemo-mechanically modified surface for improved anti-slip-down protection, and certain methods for producing the article are disclosed. The methods involve applying a colloidal particle-containing slurry or an abrasive-impregnated substrate to the an exposed elastomeric matrix surface to create a rough, textured or scabrous surface with a topography of micron-scale ridges and dimples.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to elastomeric articles and their fabrication. The present invention relates to a method of modifying the surface characteristics of an elastomeric article, for example, a condom, or a glove for use in medical and / or scientific applications. BACKGROUND [0002] A common annoyance and complaint among surgeons and other operating room personnel is the tendency for conventional, elastomeric surgical gloves to slip or roll down the wear's forearms when in use. This problem can cause the glove to not fit properly, tending to gather around the surgeon's wrists, and sometimes making the glove a hindrance to the surgeon's manual dexterity and performance. The problem is particularly burdensome with surgical gloves, in view of the critical nature of the surgeon's activities, and also in view of the danger that sterile field on the gloves may be compromised by attempts to re-roll the glove backup along the surgeon's arm. Surgical...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The difference in relative coefficient of friction helps prevent the glove from slipping down off of a sleeve of a surgical gown or other garment surface. Hence, the anti-slip first region preferably should be situated at or near the cuff portion of the glove. The difference in relative coefficients of friction between the two regions or zones of the inner, wearer-contacting surface can be expresses as a ratio in a range of at least about 1:1.2, up to about 1:5.5, typically about 1:1.3 to about 1:4.5. For example, the band or zone near or around the cuff has a COF that is at least about 1.2 times greater (i.e., 20% greater) than the COF of the untreated section.

[0009] In the present invention, as a general observation an inner surface of a glove that has a higher coefficient of friction is more desirable because of friction to retain the glove against the material of a garment. Yet, this observation has caveats that were surprisingly unexpected. Gloves, especially surgeon's gloves, should not restrict the natural movement and flex of a wearer's hands and wrist. Hence, the glove should not be too stiff and the coefficient of friction ratio should not be too large. In our experience, an excessively high COF can overly restrict the ability of the user to freely move and flex the user's hands and wrists, such as one can experience with rubber bands, large-area arrays of rigid or non-flexible hook-n-loop attachments, or adhesive tapes used to prevent glove slip-down. These techniques have been disfavored. Further, a COF that is too high can hinder the ability of the wearer to easily don the glove, especially under damp-skin conditions. The wear's hand will catch against the high friction surface of the cuff region. To strike a balance between maintaining a natural feel, without binding the movement of hands and wrists, and better donning, while preventing the glove-cuff from slipping down, a desirable range for the COF ratio is between about 1:1.3 up to about 1:5.0, preferably about 1:1.4-1:4.8, or about 1:5.0-1:4.0.

[0012] In some other embodiments, the higher COF may be achieved by either providing a more tacky surface in the first region or generating a slicker surface in the second region, each of which may involve the application or removal of a coating, such as of a hydrogel or other lubricating cover, to the respective zone.

Problems solved by technology

Yet, this observation has caveats that were surprisingly unexpected.

In our experience, an excessively high COF can overly restrict the ability of the user to freely move and flex the user's hands and wrists, such as one can experience with rubber bands, large-area arrays of rigid or non-flexible hook-n-loop attachments, or adhesive tapes used to prevent glove slip-down.

These techniques have been disfavored.

Further, a COF that is too high can hinder the ability of the wearer to easily don the glove, especially under damp-skin conditions.

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