Patient Mittens

Abstract

Various embodiments of patient-mittens are disclosed and described. Such embodiments may include a hand-cover portion attached to a hollow elongate-sleeve portion. The hand-cover portion may cover the hand and fingers, preventing the patient from scratching themselves. The elongate-sleeve portion may cover a majority of an arm. Opposite from the hand-cover portion, there may be an arm-grabber attached at an end of the elongate-sleeve. This arm-grabber may squeeze the upper arm, above the elbow, to help keep the patient-mitten from coming off. Some embodiments, may include an access-slit on the elongate-sleeve for placing IVs and the like in a patient wearing the patient-mitten. The patient-mitten may help to minimize IVs and vital sign sensors from becoming dissociated from the patient. Some embodiments may be UV permeable to encourage vitamin D production in the patient. Some embodiments may provide a conducive environment for treating skin conditions on the arm, hand, or fingers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mitten for use on a hand and an arm of a human, wherein the mitten comprises:
 a hand-cover that covers the hand and at least removably covers fingers of the hand when the hand-cover is being worn on the hand; wherein the hand-cover protects the human from self-inflicted nail scratches;   an elongate-sleeve that is hollow, wherein a majority of the arm is removably located within the elongate-sleeve, wherein the elongate-sleeve is attached to the hand-cover;   an arm-grabber, that removably grips around a circumference of an upper portion of the arm, wherein the arm-grabber is attached to a proximal-end of the elongate-sleeve, disposed opposite from the hand-cover.   
     
     
         2 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the mitten further comprises a wrist-union, wherein the wrist-union is located where the elongate-sleeve attaches to the hand-cover. 
     
     
         3 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate-sleeve comprises at least one access-slit; wherein the at least one access-slit is a length-wise opening in the elongate-sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The mitten according to  claim 3 , wherein the length-wise opening runs in a direction that is substantially parallel with a longitude of the elongate-sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The mitten according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one access-slit is removably closeable via one or more slit-fasteners that run along complimentary edges of the at least one access-slit. 
     
     
         6 . The mitten according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one access-slit has a removably closeable break at one end of the at least one access-slit; wherein this removably closeable break is closed via a brake-fastener; wherein the one end is at the proximal-end of the elongate-sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The mitten according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one access-slit is sized to permit passage of portions of one or more medical devices. 
     
     
         8 . The mitten according to  claim 7 , wherein the portions of the one or more medical devices are one or more of: a region of medical-tubing, a region of cable, a region of wiring, a region of cord. 
     
     
         9 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the mitten further comprises one or more tubing-holes; wherein the one or more tubing-holes are located on an exterior of the mitten; wherein the one or more tubing-holes are through holes from an exterior of the mitten to an interior of the mitten; wherein the one or more tubing-holes are sized for passage of one or more of: a portion of medical tubing, a portion of medical device cabling, a portion of medical device wiring, or a portion of medical tubing cord. 
     
     
         10 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the mitten further comprises one or more attachment-anchors; wherein the one or more attachment-anchors are located on an exterior of the mitten; wherein the one or more attachment-anchors are for removable attachment of at least one article to the mitten. 
     
     
         11 . The mitten according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more attachment-anchors are loop or hook structures. 
     
     
         12 . The mitten according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more attachment-anchors are one or more tubing-anchors, for securing a section of medical-tubing, wiring, cabling, or cordage to the mitten, such that the section translates with the mitten minimizing dissociation of a medical device from the mitten. 
     
     
         13 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein portions of the elongate-sleeve are at least substantially ultra violet (UV) light permeable to promote production of vitamin D when the mitten is being worn. 
     
     
         14 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein interior portions of the elongate-sleeve are at least substantially liquid impermeable to minimize the elongate-sleeve from absorbing medicaments applied to skin within the elongate-sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein interior portions of the hand-cover are at least substantially liquid impermeable to minimize the hand-cover from absorbing medicaments applied to skin within the hand-cover. 
     
     
         16 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the mitten further comprises one or more pockets; wherein the one or more pockets are located on an exterior of the mitten; wherein the one or more pockets are for removable storage of at least one article. 
     
     
         17 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate-sleeve is doubled layered, comprising an inner-elongate-sleeve and an outer-elongate-sleeve; wherein with respect to a longitude of both the inner-elongate-sleeve and the outer-elongate-sleeve, the inner-elongate-sleeve and the outer-elongate-sleeve are concentric with respect to each other; wherein when the mitten is worn over the hand and the arm, the inner-elongate-sleeve is closer to skin of the arm compared to the outer-elongate-sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The mitten according to  claim 17 , wherein interior portions of the inner-elongate-sleeve are at least substantially liquid impermeable to minimize the inner-elongate-sleeve from absorbing medicaments applied to the skin within the inner-elongate-sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein on a ventral side of the hand-cover is a hole that is at least partially covered by a cover-flap; wherein the hole and the cover-flap form an opening-for-fingers; wherein the hole and opening-for-fingers allow finger-tips of the hand to be removably extended out beyond the opening-for-fingers and outside of the hand-cover, while a palm region of the hand is still retained within the hand-cover. 
     
     
         20 . The mitten according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a length of the hand-cover to a length of the elongate-sleeve is 0.29 to 0.35, including endpoints of this range.