Surgical glove

• US 6,175,962 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1992
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gary K. Michelson
• Original Assignee: Gary K. Michelson
• Inventors: Michelson, Gary Karlin
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanatta, Amy B.
• Application Number:
  US07/919,844
• Time in Patent Office: 3,011 Days
• Field of Search: 216/1 R, 216/3, 216/17, 216/8, 2 1/6, 216/9, 216/4, 215/9, 128/844, 128/842, 128/917, 128/918, 604/349, 604/353, 428/913, 428/916, 428/323
• US Class Current: 2/161.7
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0058 Three-dimensional gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/10 Surgical gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/04 Condoms, sheaths or the like , e.g. combined with devices protecting against contagion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/918 Condoms and shields

Abstract

A puncture resistant surgical glove which is sterilizable, supple, and contains a leak detection mechanism for the purpose of protecting the wearer from the biohazard of microorganism inoculation via hand skin puncture is disclosed. A condom having a leak detection mechanism is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A pliable surgical medical glove for protecting a wearer in a surgical environment, said glove comprising:

an outer layer formed of latex;

an inner layer formed of latex adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer; and

a generally colorless anhydrous material between said outer layer and said inner layer, said anhydrous material adapted to turn from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated try water to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein said anhydrous material turns to color upon contact with blood between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

3. The glove of claim 2, wherein said anhydrous material turns to a color different than the color of blood.

4. The glove of claim 3, wherein said anhydrous material turns to violet upon contact with blood.

5. The glove of claim 2, wherein said anhydrous material is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type appearance of color.

6. The glove of claim 2, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained within blood passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

7. The glove of claim 2, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

8. The glove of claim 7, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

9. The glove of claim 1, wherein said anhydrous material turns to color upon contact with all bodily liquids between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

10. The glove of claim 9, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained with bodily liquids passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

11. The glove of claim 9, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

12. The glove of claim 11, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

13. The glove of claim 1, further comprising second anhydrous material that turns color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

14. The glove of claim 13, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

15. The glove of claim 1, wherein said anhydrous material includes an iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

16. The glove of claim 15, further comprising starch applied to the surface of said inner layer directed toward the wearer.

17. The glove of claim 1, wherein said anhydrous material includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

18. The glove of claim 1, further comprising a protective material covering a portion of the glove.

19. The glove of claim 18, wherein said protective material is laminated to said glove.

20. The glove of claim 18, wherein said protective material is maintained between said inner layer and said outer layer.

21. A condom for protecting a wearer, said condom comprising:

an outer layer;

an inner layer adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer, at least one of said outer and inner layers being formed of one of latex and flexible plastic; and

a generally colorless anhydrous material between said outer layer and said inner layer, said anhydrous material adapted to turn from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated by water to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said condom.

22. The condom of claim 21, wherein said anhydrous material turns color upon contact with all bodily liquids between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said condom.

23. The condom of claim 22, wherein said anhydrous material turns to violet.

24. The condom of claim 21, wherein said anhydrous material is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type appearance of color.

25. The condom of claim 22, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained within all bodily liquid passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

26. The condom of claim 22, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said condom, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

27. The condom of claim 26, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said condom, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

28. The condom of claim 21, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said condom, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

29. The condom of claim 28, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said condom, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

30. The condom of claim 21, wherein said anhydrous material includes an iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

31. The condom of claim 21, wherein said anhydrous material includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

32. A method for protecting a wearer of a pliable surgical glove, comprising the steps of:

providing said glove comprising an outer layer formed of latex, an inner layer formed of latex adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer; and

an anhydrous material between said outer layer and said inner layer, said anhydrous material being generally colorless prior to being hydrated;

donning said glove; and

inspecting said glove for the appearance of color resulting from said anhydrous material turning from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated indicating a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of rinsing said glove with water.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of changing the color of said glove after the rinsing step in response to water passing into said glove through a breach in said outer layer.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the changing step includes the step of changing the color of said glove to a blue purple color.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the providing step includes providing said glove with a second color changing material that changes color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second material changing to a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer;

and wherein the inspecting step includes the step of inspecting said glove for a first color change indicating a breach in said outer layer of said glove and for a second color change indicating a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of changing the color of said glove after the rinsing step in response to water passing through a breach in both of said outer and inner layers.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the changing step includes the step of changing the color of said glove to a color other than the color of blood.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the changing step includes the step of changing the color of said glove to a blue purple color.

40. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of applying a dusting of starch between said glove and the wearer prior to the donning step.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of changing the color of said glove after the rinsing step in response to water passing through a breach in both of said outer and inner layers.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the changing step includes the step of changing the color of said glove to a color other than the color of blood.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the changing step includes the step of changing the color of said glove to a blue purple color.

44. A pliable cover for protecting a wearer, said cover comprising:

an outer layer;

an inner layer adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer;

first means for changing color upon contact with water between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said cover; and

second means for changing color upon contact with water to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said cover, said second means changing to a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

45. The cover of claim 44, wherein said cover is a glove.

46. The cover of claim 45, wherein said first color changing means changes color upon contact with blood between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said cover.

47. The cover of claim 46, wherein said first color changing means changes to color different than the color of blood.

48. The cover of claim 47, wherein said first color changing means changes to violet upon contact with blood.

49. The cover of claim 46, wherein said first color changing means is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type color change.

50. The cover of claim 46, wherein said first color changing means includes the additional function of destroying viruses and bacteria passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

51. The cover of claim 44, wherein said second means changes color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said cover.

52. The cover of claim 45, wherein said first color changing means changes color upon contact with bodily liquids between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said cover.

53. The cover of claim 52, wherein said first color changing means includes the additional function of destroying viruses and bacteria passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

54. The cover of claim 45, wherein said second means changes color upon contact with bodily liquids to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said cover, said second means changing to a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

55. The cover of claim 45, wherein said first color changing means includes an iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

56. The cover of claim 55, further comprising starch applied to the surface of said inner layer directed toward the wearer.

57. The cover of claim 45, wherein said first color changing means includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

58. The cover of claim 45, wherein said first color changing means includes an anhydrous iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

59. The cover of claim 45, wherein said first color changing means includes a mixture of an anhydrous iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

60. The cover of claim 45, wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers is waterproof.

61. The cover of claim 45, wherein said outer and inner layers are waterproof.

62. The cover of claim 60, wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers are formed of flexible plastic material.

63. The cover of claim 61, wherein said outer and inner layers are formed of flexible plastic material.

64. The cover of claim 60, further comprising a protective material covering a portion of the cover.

65. The cover of claim 64, wherein said protective material is laminated to said cover.

66. The cover of claim 64, wherein said protective material is maintained between said inner layer and said outer layer.

67. The cover of claim 60, wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

68. The cover of claim 61, wherein said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

69. The cover of claim 44, wherein said cover is a condom.

70. The cover of claim 69, wherein said first color changing means changes color upon contact with bodily liquids between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said cover.

71. The cover of claim 70, wherein said first color changing means changes to violet.

72. The cover of claim 69, wherein said first color changing means is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type color change.

73. The cover of claim 70, wherein said first color changing means includes the additional function of destroying viruses and bacteria passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

74. The cover of claim 70, wherein said second means changes color upon contact with bodily liquids to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said cover.

75. The cover of claim 69, wherein said second means changes color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said cover.

76. The cover of claim 69, wherein said first color changing means includes an iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

77. The cover of claim 69, wherein said first color changing means includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

78. The cover of claim 69, wherein said first color changing means includes an anhydrous iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

79. The cover of claim 69, wherein said first color changing means includes a mixture of an anhydrous iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

80. The cover of claim 69, wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers is waterproof.

81. The cover of claim 69, wherein said outer and inner layers are waterproof.

82. The cover of claim 69, wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers are formed of flexible plastic material.

83. The cover of claim 81, wherein said outer and inner layers are formed of flexible plastic material.

84. The cover of claim 80, wherein at least one of said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

85. The cover of claim 81, wherein said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

86. A surgical medical glove for protecting a wearer in a surgical environment, said glove comprising:

an outer layer;

an inner layer adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer, at least one of said outer and inner layers being formed of latex; and

a generally colorless anhydrous material between said outer layer and said inner layer, said anhydrous material adapted to turn from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated by all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

87. The glove of claim 86, wherein said anhydrous material turns to color upon contact with blood between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

88. The glove of claim 87, wherein said anhydrous material turns to a color different than the color of blood.

89. The glove of claim 88, wherein said anhydrous material turns to violet upon contact with blood.

90. The glove of claim 86, wherein said anhydrous material is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type appearance of color.

91. The glove of claim 87, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained within blood passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

92. The glove of claim 86, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

93. The glove of claim 92, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

94. The glove of claim 86, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained with bodily liquids passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

95. The glove of claim 86, wherein said anhydrous material includes all iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

96. The glove of claim 95, further comprising starch applied to the surface of said inner layer directed toward the wearer.

97. The glove of claim 86, wherein said anhydrous material includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

98. The glove of claim 86, further comprising a protective material covering a portion of the glove.

99. The glove of claim 98, wherein said protective material is laminated to said glove.

100. The glove of claim 98, wherein said protective material is maintained between said inner layer and said outer layer.

101. The glove of claim 86, wherein both of said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

102. A surgical medical glove for protecting a wearer in a surgical environment, said glove comprising:

an outer layer;

an inner layer adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer, at least one of said outer and inner layers being formed of latex; and

a generally colorless anhydrous material between said outer layer and said inner layer, said anhydrous material adapted to turn from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated by water and all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in said, outer layer of said glove.

103. The glove of claim 102, wherein said anhydrous material turns to color upon contact with blood between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said layer of said glove.

104. The glove of claim 103, wherein said anhydrous material turns to a color different than the color of blood.

105. The glove of claim 104, wherein said anhydrous material turns to violet upon contact with blood.

106. The glove of claim 102, wherein said anhydrous material is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type appearance of color.

107. The glove of claim 103, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained within blood passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

108. The glove of claim 102, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

109. The glove of claim 108, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

110. The glove of claim 102, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained with bodily liquids passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

111. The glove of claim 102, wherein said anhydrous material includes an iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer.

112. The glove of claim 111, further comprising starch applied to the surface of said inner layer directed toward the wearer.

113. The glove of claim 102, wherein said anhydrous material includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

114. The glove of claim 102, further comprising a protective material covering a portion of the glove.

115. The glove of claim 114, wherein said protective material is laminated to said glove.

116. The glove of claim 114, wherein said protective material is maintained between said inner layer and said outer layer.

117. The glove of claim 102, wherein both of said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

118. A surgical medical glove for protecting a wearer, said glove comprising:

an outer layer;

an inner layer adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer, at least one of said outer and inner layers being formed of latex; and

a generally colorless anhydrous iodinated material between said outer layer and said inner layer, said anhydrous material being adapted to turn from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated upon contact with water and all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

119. The glove of claim 118, wherein said anhydrous material turns to color upon contact with blood between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

120. The glove of claim 119, wherein said anhydrous material turns to a color different than the color of blood.

121. The glove of claim 120, wherein said anhydrous material turns to violet upon contact with blood.

122. The glove of claim 118, wherein said anhydrous material is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type appearance of color.

123. The glove of claim 119, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained within blood passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

124. The glove of claim 118, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

125. The glove of claim 124, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

126. The glove of claim 118, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained with bodily liquids passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

127. The glove of claim 118, further comprising starch applied to the surface of said inner layer directed toward the wearer.

128. The glove of claim 118, wherein said anhydrous material includes a mixture of an iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer.

129. The glove of claim 118, further comprising a protective material covering a portion of the glove.

130. The glove of claim 129, wherein said protective material is laminated to said glove.

131. The glove of claim 129, wherein said protective material is maintained between said inner layer and said outer layer.

132. The glove of claim 118, wherein both of said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.

133. A surgical medical glove for protecting a wearer, said glove comprising:

an outer layer;

an inner layer adapted to be oriented between said outer layer and the wearer, said inner layer being laminated in part to said outer layer, at least one of said outer and inner layers being formed of latex; and

a mixture of a generally colorless anhydrous iodinated material and starch between said outer layer and said inner layer, said mixture adapted to turn from generally colorless to colored upon being hydrated with water and all bodily liquids to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

134. The glove of claim 133, wherein said anhydrous material turns to color upon contact with blood between said outer layer and said inner layer to indicate a breach in said outer layer of said glove.

135. The glove of claim 134, wherein said anhydrous material turns to a color different than the color of blood.

136. The glove of claim 135, wherein said anhydrous material turns to violet upon contact with blood.

137. The glove of claim 133, wherein said anhydrous material is pH dependent utilizing a litmus-type appearance of color.

138. The glove of claim 134, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys viruses and bacteria contained within blood passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

139. The glove of claim 133, further comprising a second anhydrous material that turns to color upon contact with water and said generally colorless anhydrous material to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

140. The glove of claim 139, wherein said second anhydrous material turns color upon contact with blood to indicate a breach in both of said outer and inner layers of said glove, said second anhydrous material causing a different color than that resulting from a breach in only said outer layer.

141. The glove of claim 133, wherein said anhydrous material also destroys bacteria contained with bodily liquids passing through such a breach in said outer layer.

142. The glove of claim 134, further comprising starch applied to the surface of said inner layer directed toward the wearer.

143. The glove of claim 133, further comprising a protective material covering a portion of the glove.

144. The glove of claim 143, wherein said protective material is laminated to said glove.

145. The glove of claim 143, wherein said protective material is maintained between said inner layer and said outer layer.

146. The glove of claim 133, wherein both of said outer and inner layers are formed of latex.