Medical glove with dual use pockets

Abstract

A disposable medical glove is provided that includes one or more anti-contamination pockets configured to receive a stethoscope diaphragm and thereby protect it from contamination during patient examinations. Additionally, it frees the use of the user's fingers and can be used to store additional objects. In a preferred embodiment, the medical glove comprises an ambidextrous glove body having a pocket on both sides of the glove. Each pocket can be utilized in two configurations. In the first configuration, the pocket is accessed from the outside of the glove and holds the diaphragm against the palmar side of the user's hand. In the second configuration, the pocket is accessed from the inside of the glove and holds the diaphragm a distance from the user's palm, allowing the user to manipulate the diaphragm with their fingers. In an alternate embodiment, the glove has a single dual-configuration pocket on the palmar side.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ambidextrous disposable glove comprising:
 a glove body configured to be worn on a user's left or right hand, the glove body having a first side and a second side that is opposite to the first side;   a pocket located on the first side of the glove;   a pocket located on the second side of the glove;   wherein the first pocket and second pocket can each be utilized in a first configuration and a second configuration;   wherein in the first configuration each pocket is housed within the glove body and are accessed from an outer surface of the glove body; and   wherein in the second configuration each pocket is accessed from an inner surface of the glove body.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable glove of  claim 1  wherein a pocket is utilized in the first configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope against a user's palm. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable glove of  claim 1  wherein a pocket is utilized in the first configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope against the back of a user's hand. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable glove of  claim 1  wherein a pocket is utilized in the second configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope at a distance from the user's palm and allow the user to hold and manipulate the diaphragm with their fingers. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable glove of  claim 1  that is composed of nitrile, vinyl or latex. 
     
     
         6 . A disposable glove comprising:
 an ambidextrous glove body configured to be worn on a user's left or right hand, wherein once worn the glove has a palmar side, a dorsal side, an inner palmar surface that makes contact with a user's palm, an outer palmar surface, an inner dorsal surface that makes contact with the back of the user's hand, and an outer dorsal surface;   a palmar pocket located on the palmar side of the glove;   a dorsal pocket located on the dorsal side of the glove;   wherein the palmar pocket can be utilized in a first configuration or a second configuration;   wherein in the first configuration the palmar pocket is housed within the glove body and is accessed from the outer palmar surface of the glove;   wherein in the second configuration the palmar pocket is accessed from the inner palmar surface and is expanded out from the glove body;   wherein in the first configuration the dorsal pocket is housed within the glove body and is accessed from the outer dorsal surface of the glove; and   wherein in the second configuration the dorsal pocket is accessed from the inner dorsal surface and is expanded out from the glove body.   
     
     
         7 . The disposable glove of  claim 6  wherein the palmar pocket is utilized in the first configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope against a user's palm. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable glove of  claim 6  wherein the palmar pocket is utilized in the second configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope at a distance from the user's palm and allow the user to hold and manipulate the diaphragm with their fingers. 
     
     
         9 . The disposable glove of  claim 6  wherein the dorsal pocket is utilized in the first configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope against the back of a user's hand. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable glove of  claim 1  that is composed of nitrile, vinyl or latex. 
     
     
         11 . A disposable glove comprising:
 a glove body having a palmar side, an outer palmar surface, and an inner palmar surface that makes contact with a user's palm when the glove is worn;   a palmar pocket located on the palmar side of the glove;   wherein the palmar pocket can be utilized in a first configuration and a second configuration;   wherein in the first configuration the palmar pocket is housed within the glove body and is accessed from the outer palmar surface of the glove; and   wherein in the second configuration the palmar pocket is accessed from the inner palmar surface and is expanded out from the glove body.   
     
     
         12 . The disposable glove of  claim 11  wherein the palmar pocket is utilized in the first configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope against a user's palm. 
     
     
         13 . The disposable glove of  claim 11  wherein the palmar pocket is utilized in the second configuration to receive and hold a diaphragm of a stethoscope at a distance from the user's palm and allow the user to hold and manipulate the diaphragm with their fingers. 
     
     
         14 . The disposable glove of  claim 1  that is composed of nitrile, vinyl or latex.