Post-operative glove

Abstract

A specially designed three-pronged Post Operative Glove (a POG), primarily for use in covering bandaging and casts, as well as IVs and PICs, together with a specially designed material thickness and embossing treatment, together with a securing means at its open distal end, as well as a special water-absorbent material positioning and securing means.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective Post-Operative Glove (also called and referred to as a “Post-Op Glove” and as a “POG”) that has three extended segments, with a first extended segment for a thumb, with a second extended segment for the first two fingers adjacent to the thumb, and with a third extended segment for the last two fingers, with the three respective segments each being large enough to accommodate bandaging and casting of the affected digit, together with an open distal end glove securing means to prevent most water and/or dirt intrusion into the area to be protected, together with a secondary water/liquid/dirt intrusion protection means to prevent minor amounts of water/liquid/dirt that might get through the initial open glove distal end securing means from reaching the bandaging/casting and/or other area to be protected within the glove itself. 
     
     
         2 . The POG of  claim 1  where the POG material is comprised of a virgin polyethylene material with a wall thickness of between 0.05 mm and 0.07 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The POG of  claim 2  where the original wall of the POG is embossed. 
     
     
         4 . The POG of  claim 1  where the POG's open distal end securing means is comprised of a looped over material end segment with a first stretchable band enclosed within the loop. 
     
     
         5 . The POG of  claim 4  where the first stretchable band is comprised of a TPU band, or the like, which band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F. 
     
     
         6 . The POG of  claim 1  where the secondary water/liquid/dirt intrusion protection means is comprised of a water-absorbent material with a minimum width of two inches (50.8 mm), and with a minimum thickness of one-eighth inch (3.175 mm) that is wrapped completely around a portion of the arm in a location between the open distal end of the glove and the area to be protected, with a second TPU band, or the like, being placed directly over and completely around the applied water-absorbent material, which second TPU band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F. 
     
     
         7 . The POG of  claim 6  where, after the water-absorbent material has been applied, and where after the TPU band has been wrapped around the water-absorbent material, the POG is installed/applied completely over the area to be protected, such as bandaging, casting, an IV, a PIC, or the like, a third TPU band, or the like, is installed over and completely around the exterior of the POG in a location that is directly over the water-absorbent material, now on the inside of the POG, and where the third TPU band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F. 
     
     
         8 . The POG of  claim 1  where, either before or after the POG has been applied/installed over completely over the area to be protected, such as bandaging, casting, an IV, a PIC, or the like, the POG is pulled tightly down so that each of the three respective extended segments of the POG  1  (containing the fingers and the thumb) are as close as possible to the extreme far end tips of each finger and thumb, and then where a fourth stretchable TPU band, or the like, is immediately placed completely around the exterior of the POG in a location as close as possible to the wrist area of the hand  14  (any bandaging/casting  10  permitting), and where the where the TPU band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F. 
     
     
         9 . The POG of  claim 1  where POG use instructions are as follows:
 1. First, wrap dry water-absorbent cloth, a small dry hand towel, dry paper towels, or similar dry material, completely around a portion of your bare arm that is above the bandaging/cast, but that is in a location so that when the glove is applied, the water-absorbent material will be completely covered by, and fully within, the upper portion of the glove. The water-absorbent material must be at least, and preferably greater than, two inches (50.8 mm) wide and one-eighth inch (3.175 mm) thick. Use one of the enclosed specially designed stretchable bands (a first band) to secure the water-absorbent material in place around your bare arm prior to glove application. 
 2. Second, carefully place the glove completely over the bandaging and/or cast (or other area to be protected), as well as completely over the water-absorbent material wrapped completely around your bare arm. 
 3. Third, pull the glove tightly down from your finger and thumb tips (within the three respective prongs) to a point past the underlying water-absorbent material: then place another one of the enclosed specially designed stretchable-bands (a second band) over the exterior top portion of the glove that is as close as possible to your wrist. This will help provide improved gripping ability by eliminating longer than necessary floppy ends of the three prongs. When finished, VERY CAREFULLY PLACE AND REMOVE THIS EXTERIOR STRETCHABLE BAND, so as to avoid tearing any portion of the plastic glove.   
 4. Fourth, place another one of the enclosed specially designed stretchable-bands (a third band) over the exterior top portion of the glove that is directly over the water- absorbent material, so as to provide a snug and secure tension band directly over and completely around the water-absorbent material that is wrapped completely around your bare arm on the inside of the glove. This will help to catch any water and/or dirt that may get through the constrictive and pre-tensioned open end of the glove before it gets to the protected area. When finished, VERY CAREFULLY PLACE AND REMOVE THIS EXTERIOR STRETCHABLE BAND, so as to avoid tearing any portion of the plastic glove. 
 
     
     
         10 . A protective Post-Operative Glove (also called and referred to as a “Post-Op Glove” and as a “POG”) that has three extended segments, with a first extended segment for a thumb, with a second extended segment for the first two fingers adjacent to the thumb, and with a third extended segment for the last two fingers, with the three respective segments each being large enough to accommodate bandaging and casting of the affected digit, together with an open distal end glove securing means to prevent most water and/or dirt intrusion into the area to be protected, together with a secondary water/liquid/dirt intrusion protection means to prevent minor amounts of water/liquid/dirt that might get through the initial open glove distal end securing means from reaching the bandaging/casting and/or other area to be protected within the glove itself:
 where the POG material is comprised of a virgin polyethylene material with a wall thickness of between 0.05 mm and 0.07 mm; 
 where the original wall of the POG is embossed; 
 where the POG's open distal end securing means is comprised of a looped over material end segment with a first stretchable band enclosed within the loop; 
 where the first stretchable band is comprised of a TPU band, or the like, which band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F.; 
 where the secondary water/liquid/dirt intrusion protection means is comprised of a water-absorbent material with a minimum width of two inches (50.8 mm), and with a minimum thickness of one-eighth inch (3.175 mm) that is wrapped completely around a portion of the arm in a location between the open distal end of the glove and the area to be protected, with a second TPU band, or the like, being placed directly over and completely around the applied water-absorbent material, which second TPU band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F.; 
 where, after the water-absorbent material has been applied, and where after the TPU band has been wrapped around the water-absorbent material, the POG is installed/applied completely over the area to be protected, such as bandaging, casting, an IV, a PIC, or the like, a third TPU band, or the like, is installed over and completely around the exterior of the POG in a location that is directly over the water-absorbent material, now on the inside of the POG, and where the third TPU band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F.; 
 where, either before or after the POG has been applied/installed over completely over the area to be protected, such as bandaging, casting, an IV, a PIC, or the like, the POG is pulled tightly down so that each of the three respective extended segments of the POG  1  (containing the fingers and the thumb) are as close as possible to the extreme far end tips of each finger and thumb, and then where a fourth stretchable TPU band, or the like, is immediately placed completely around the exterior of the POG in a location as close as possible to the wrist area of the hand  14  (any bandaging/casting  10  permitting), and where the where the TPU band has an un-stretched width of 5 to 10 mm, an un-stretched length of between 90 to 110 mm, an un-stretched wall thickness of between 1 to 3 mm, and with a length stretch-ability to at least 300 mm long without breaking, and which TPU band is UV resistant and can withstand temperatures of at least 110 degrees F.; 
 and where POG use instructions are as follows: 
 1. First, wrap dry water-absorbent cloth, a small dry hand towel, dry paper towels, or similar dry material, completely around a portion of your bare arm that is above the bandaging/cast, but that is in a location so that when the glove is applied, the water-absorbent material will be completely covered by, and fully within, the upper portion of the glove. The water-absorbent material must be at least, and preferably greater than, two inches (50.8 mm) wide and one-eighth inch (3.175 mm) thick. Use one of the enclosed specially designed stretchable bands (a first band) to secure the water-absorbent material in place around your bare arm prior to glove application. 
 2. Second, carefully place the glove completely over the bandaging and/or cast (or other area to be protected), as well as completely over the water-absorbent material wrapped completely around your bare arm. 
 3. Third, pull the glove tightly down from your finger and thumb tips (within the three respective prongs) to a point past the underlying water-absorbent material: then place another one of the enclosed specially designed stretchable-bands (a second band) over the exterior top portion of the glove that is as close as possible to your wrist. This will help provide improved gripping ability by eliminating longer than necessary floppy ends of the three prongs. When finished, VERY CAREFULLY PLACE AND REMOVE THIS EXTERIOR STRETCHABLE BAND, so as to avoid tearing any portion of the plastic glove. 
 4. Fourth, place another one of the enclosed specially designed stretchable-bands (a third band) over the exterior top portion of the glove that is directly over the water- absorbent material, so as to provide a snug and secure tension band directly over and completely around the water-absorbent material that is wrapped completely around your bare arm on the inside of the glove. This will help to catch any water and/or dirt that may get through the constrictive and pre-tensioned open end of the glove before it gets to the protected area. When finished, VERY CAREFULLY PLACE AND REMOVE THIS EXTERIOR STRETCHABLE BAND, so as to avoid tearing any portion of the plastic glove. 
 
     
     
         11 . The POG of  claim 1  where the POG has the following dimensions:
 i. The POG maximum length, between the top of the first two finger segment and the bottom of the POG, is 800 mm, plus or minus 1 mm to 150 mm. 
 ii. The loop width, where the POG's open distal end securing means is comprised of a looped over material end segment with a first stretchable band enclosed within the loop, is 30 mm, plus or minus 1 mm to 10 mm. 
 iii. The POG width is 210 mm, plus or minus 1 mm to 5 mm. 
 iv. The width for the upper portion of the extended prong/segment for the thumb is be 40 mm at the tip of the thumb segment, before the rounded thumb segment tip end, and the width for the thumb prong/segment at its midpoint, opposite of the location where the top portion of the thumb segment intersects with the side of the POG  1 , is 60 mm. 
 v. The distance between the top of the thumb segment, where the thumb segment intersects with the side of the POG, and the bottom of the extended prong/segment for the first two fingers closest to the thumb segment is 65 mm. 
 vi. The width for the first two finger segment is 109 mm 
 vii. The first two finger segment extends upwardly 65 mm on its right side, on the side closest to the top of the thumb segment, to the base of the “largest rounded top portion of the first two finger segment”. 
 viii. The first two finger segment extends 20 mm, in a total vertical distance upwardly along its largest rounded top portion from the base of the “largest rounded top portion of the first two finger segment” to the uppermost starting point of the “largest rounded top portion of the first two finger segment”. 
 ix. The total distance from the uppermost top to the bottom of the first two finger segment is 85 mm. 
 x. The distance from the top portion of the thumb segment to the bottom portion of the thumb segment, where the thumb segment extends from the POG, is 90 mm. 
 xi. The distance between the lower portion bottom of the thumb segment, where the thumb segment extends from the POG, and the bottom/base of the POG is 560 mm. 
 xii. The distance between the bottom/base of the first two finger segment and the bottom of the POG is 715 mm 
 xiii. The width of the upper portion of the thumb segment before the rounded tip end of the thumb segment is 40 mm 
 xiv. The first two finger segment has a total uppermost top width of 55 mm, extending from the left side closest to the prong segment for the second two finger segment to the end of the said 55 mm width, which end is at the uppermost starting point of the “largest rounded top portion of the first two finger segment”. 
 xv. The horizontal width, between the uppermost starting point of the “largest rounded top portion of the first two finger segment” and the lowermost ending point of the “largest rounded top portion of the first two finger segment”, is 54 mm. 
 xvi. The upper left portion of the first two finger segment, on the side next to the third and fourth (little) finger segment, has a rounded segment with a bottom/base that is between 1 mm and 10 mm in width 
 xvii. There is a gap width of between 1 mm and 10 mm between the first two finger segment and the second two finger segment with a preferable rounded gap bottom. 
 xviii. The maximum width of the third and fourth (little) finger segment is 100 mm. 
 xix. The maximum length of the third and fourth (little) finger segment, also referred to herein as the second two finger segment, is 80 mm. 
 xx. The width of the “largest rounded top portion of the second two finger segment” is 50 mm, but is rounded between its uppermost starting point and its lowermost ending point. 
 xxi. The width of the second two finger segment between the uppermost starting point of its largest rounded top portion and its far-right side, next to the first two finger segment, is 50 mm. 
 xxii. The upper right portion of the second two finger segment, on the side next to the first finger segment has a rounded segment with a bottom/base that is between 1 mm and 10 mm in width 
 xxiii. The distance between the uppermost top of the first two finger segment and the bottom of the POG is 795 mm 
 xxiv. The distance between the bottom of the POG and the bottom of the second finger segment is 715 mm. 
 xxv. The distance between the bottom of the second finger segment and the lowermost ending point of the “largest rounded top portion of the second two finger segment”  54  is 55 mm. 
 xxvi. The second two finger segment extends 25 mm, in a total vertical distance upwardly, along its largest rounded top portion from the lowermost ending point of the “largest rounded top portion of the second two finger segment” to the uppermost starting point of the “largest rounded top portion of the second two finger segment. 
 
     
     
         12 . The POG of  claim 11  where all of the said POG sizing dimensions would be/is proportionately reduced for smaller/children, and would be/is proportionately increased for larger adult sizes.