Digit Tip Protection Device

Abstract

A digit tip protection device comprises a concave puncture-resistant member adapted to protect a pulp of a digit. The puncture resistant material is thin and flexible to avoid interfering with tactile sensation of the digit. The concave member has an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to the digit. The concave member has a first end extending over the pulp of the digit to just below a nail, a second end extending over the pulp of the digit below a first joint of the digit, and a lateral and medial edges extending along the digit. The digit tip protection device is adapted to be worn on a digit, such that the digit tip protection device substantially covers the pulp of the digit, and extends along the palmar surface of the digit below the distal interphalangeal joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digit tip protection device comprising:
 a concave member formed of a puncture resistant material adapted to protect a pulp of a user's digit from a puncture, the puncture resistant material being sufficiently thin and flexible to avoid interfering with a natural tactile sensation of the user's digit, the concave member comprising:
 a concave surface comprising an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to a pulp of a user's digit; 
 a convex surface opposite the concave surface; 
 a first end adapted to extend distally over the pulp of the user's digit to just below a user's nail; 
 a second end adapted to extend proximally over the pulp of the user's digit below a first distal interphalangeal joint of the user's digit; and, 
 a lateral and medial edges adapted to extend along the user's digit; 
   wherein the digit tip protection device is adapted to be worn on a user's digit, such that the digit tip protection device substantially covers the pulp of the user's digit, extends along a palmar surface of the user's digit below the distal interphalangeal joint.   
     
     
         2 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer of material covering the adhesive layer and removable therefrom. 
     
     
         3 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 2 , wherein the protective layer of material is removable from the adhesive layer without destroying at least one of the protective layer of material and the concave member. 
     
     
         4 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 1 , wherein the puncture resistant material comprises a resilient polymer material. 
     
     
         5 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 1 , wherein the digit tip protection device is adapted to be worn under a glove. 
     
     
         6 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 5 , wherein the glove comprises a biological barrier and is worn over the concave member on a user's hand. 
     
     
         7 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 5 , wherein the glove is a surgical glove. 
     
     
         8 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 5 , wherein the glove is an examination glove. 
     
     
         9 . The digit tip protection device of  claim 1 , wherein the puncture resistant material includes at least one grip enhancing feature. 
     
     
         10 . A kit comprising:
 a plurality of digit tip protection devices with each having a concave member constructed of a puncture resistant material adapted to protect a pulp from a puncture and being sufficiently thin and flexible to avoid interfering with a natural tactile sensation of a user's digit upon application of the concave member onto the user's digit, the concave member comprising:   a concave surface comprising an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to a pulp of a user's digit;   a convex surface opposite the concave surface;   a first end adapted to extend distally over the pulp of the user's digit to just below a tip of a user's nail;   a second end adapted to extend proximally over the pulp of the user's digit below a first distal interphalangeal joint of the user's digit; and,   a lateral and medial edges adapted to extend along the user's digit;   wherein the digit tip protection device is adapted to be removably attached to a pulp of the user's digit, such that the digit tip protection device substantially covers the pulp of the user's digit, and extends along a palmar surface of the user's digit below the distal interphalangeal joint.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising a protective layer of material covering the adhesive layer and removable therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one glove, the glove comprising a biological barrier and is worn over the concave member on a user's hand. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the glove is a surgical glove. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the glove is an examination glove. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the puncture resistant material includes at least one grip enhancing feature. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a digit tip protection device comprising the steps of:
 forming a concave member of a puncture resistant material adapted to protect a pulp of a user's digit from a puncture and being sufficiently thin and flexible to avoid interfering with a natural tactile sensation of the user's digit upon application of the concave member onto the user's digit, the concave member comprising a concave surface, a convex surface opposite the concave surface, a first end adapted to extend distally over the pulp of the user's digit to just below a tip of a user's nail, a second end adapted to extend proximally over the pulp of the user's digit below a first distal interphalangeal joint of the user's digit, and lateral and medial edges adapted to extend along the user's digit; and,   applying an adhesive layer to the concave surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of applying a protective layer of material over the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the puncture resistant material includes at least one grip enhancing feature.