INFECTION CONTROL GLOVE WITH SENSORY CONTAMINATION INDICATOR

• US 20130104284A1
• Filed: 10/26/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allen B. Kantrowitz, In K.I. Mun
• Original Assignee: Allen B. Kantrowitz, In K.I. Mun
• Inventors: Kantrowitz, Allen B., Mun, In Ki
• Granted Patent: US 10,321,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/161.7
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0031 Whistles or other warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0058 Three-dimensional gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/32 Therapeutic use
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/52 Disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/30 Antimicrobial, e.g. antibacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/00 Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 42/40 Packages or dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment

Abstract

A barrier protection device and dispensing system are provided in the form of a medical service or examination glove with sensory indicators that respond to contact with infectious agents or substances. The glove and dispensing system prevent transmission of infectious agents from a healthcare worker to a patient or vice versa.

Claims

1. A protective barrier comprising:

a glove associated with a sensory indicator, said sensory indicator changing in response to contact with a forbidden surface, transit from a geographic exclusion zone, expiration of a preselected time period, or compromise of a barrier of said glove.

2. The barrier of claim 1 wherein said forbidden surface is an inanimate medical equipment.

3. The barrier of claim 1 wherein said forbidden surface is human or animal skin.

4. The barrier of claim 1 wherein said sensory indicator is a visual indicator of at least one of:

an LED, a dye pack, an enzyme, or a superparamagnetic particle.

5. The barrier of claim 4 wherein said enzyme or other reactive elements on the surface of said glove creates a color or pattern change upon contact with a skin emitted chemical.

6. The barrier of claim 1 further comprising a conductivity electrode sensing an exterior surface of said glove, said sensory indictor triggered in response to the expiration of the preselected time or the compromise of the barrier after after an exterior surface of said glove contacts a substance with a conductivity greater than that of air.

7. The barrier of claim 6 wherein said substance is living human skin or a medical appliance.

8. The barrier of claim 4 wherein said sensory indicator is said LED and said LED is integrated into a bracelet or accoutrement activated upon the expiration of a preselected glove wearing period.

9. The barrier of claim 1 wherein said glove further comprise an RFID tag.

10. The barrier of claim 1 wherein said glove is part of a continuous ribbon.

11. The barrier of claim 10 wherein in said series of right and left pairs are in an invaginated or folded state on said continuous ribbon.

12. The barrier of claim 10 wherein said continuous ribbon is formed into a roll.

13. The barrier of claim 10 wherein said continuous ribbon is accordion folded.

14. The barrier of claim 10 wherein said continuous ribbon is mounted in a dispenser.

15. A dispenser for dispensing gloves comprising:

a source container with a feeder reel of a continuous ribbon of a series of right and left pairs of gloves;

an empty container with a take up reel for said continuous ribbon;

a supporting frame between said source and said empty container, said supporting frame configured to engage said continuous ribbon; and

a faceplate providing an indication and location to a user to insert their hands into said right and left pairs of gloves.

16. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein said take up reel is motorized to automatically advance said right and left pairs of gloves for a next user.

17. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein said dispenser interrogates, correlates, and records said user'"'"'s identification (ID) badge with a time and date of usage of said dispenser.

18. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein said dispenser is configured to charge a capacitor of a bracelet or an embedded RFID tag of said gloves.

19. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein said dispenser reports usage events and inventory levels of said gloves to a centralized management computer.

20. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein said faceplate is mounted horizontally or vertically.