Obstetric gloves

• US 4,245,656 A
• Filed: 02/14/1979
• Issued: 01/20/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony G. Fabaz, Larry D. Farr
• Original Assignee: Anthony G. Fabaz, Larry D. Farr
• Inventors: Fabaz, Anthony G., Farr, Larry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Application Number:
  US06/012,207
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 128/775, 128/778, 128/361, 33/174 D, 2/159, 2/160
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/435 Assessing cervix alteration or dilation
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/1084 Tapes combined with arrangements for functions other than measuring lengths

Abstract

A device to permit a medical practitioner to perform internal measurements of patients without the insertion of measurement instruments. Finger enclosures adapted to be worn over two fingers or incorporated into two fingers of conventional examination gloves are equipped with a measuring tape, associated with a first enclosure, a free end thereof extending through the first enclosure and secured to a second enclosure such that by separating the two enclosed fingers, a length of tape equal to the distance between the fingers is drawn from the first enclosure.

Claims

1. A device to permit a medical practitioner to perform internal measurements on a patient, comprising:

(a) a flexible covering for enclosing each of two fingers of the practitioner, said device being deployed between two of the fingers; and

(b) a measuring tape contained behind a restricted opening associated with a first finger enclosure having a free end extending therethrough, said free end being secured to a second finger enclosure, said tape being coiled and said coil being carried on said first finger enclosure, retained behind said opening and wherein said opening comprises an eye which is smaller than the coil of tape but sufficiently larger to permit the drawn tape to pass therethrough;

whereby separation by the practitioner of said two enclosed fingers causes a length of tape equal to the distance between the fingers to be drawn from behind said restricted opening to provide a measurement of an internal, anatomical part where the enclosed fingers are inserted into the patient and separated to conform to the dimensions of that internal part.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the covering comprises two finger pieces, adapted to be worn over surgical gloves, constructed from a resilient, durable material.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the tape is coiled within said first enclosure and is drawn from the coil as the tape is pulled by the separation of the fingers, said opening in said first enclosure being smaller than the coil of tape, but sufficiently large to permit the drawn tape to pass therethrough.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the free end of the tape is secured within said second finger enclosure.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the covering is a full, conventional, surgical glove, comprising an enclosure for each of five fingers, the device being deployed between two of the fingers.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the tape is coiled within said first enclosure and is drawn from the coil as the tape is pulled by the separation of the fingers, said opening in said first enclosure being smaller than the coil of tape, but sufficiently large to permit the drawn tape to pass therethrough.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the free end of the tape is secured within said second finger enclosure.

8. The device of claim 2 or 5 wherein a free end of the tape is secured within an eye provided on the second finger enclosure.

9. A device to permit a medical practitioner to perform internal measurements on a patient, comprising:

(a) a covering for enclosing at least a portion of each of two fingers of the practitioner, wherein;

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said second finger enclosure is provided with an inner and an outer wall and the free end of said measurement tape is secured between the inner and outer walls of said second finger enclosure.

10. said covering is a full, conventional surgical glove which comprises an enclosure for each of five fingers.said device is deployed between two of said fingers;

and

(b) a measuring tape contained behind a restricted opening associated with a first finger enclosure having a free end extending therethrough, said free end being secured to a second finger enclosure, wherein;

1. said first finger enclosure is provided with an inner and outer wall, said measuring tape being contained therebetween, and

2. said measuring tape is coiled within said first enclosure and is drawn from the coil as the tape is pulled by the separation of the fingers, said opening in said first enclosure being smaller than the coil of tape but being sufficiently large as to permit the drawn tape to pass therethrough;

whereby separation by the practitioner of the two enclosed fingers causes a length of tape equal to the distance between the fingers to be drawn from behind said restricted opening to provide a measurement of an internal, anatomical part where the enclosed fingers are inserted into the patient and separated to conform to the dimensions of that internal part.