Medical glove with stethoscope protection

Abstract

A medical glove is provided for protection against the transmission of infectious agents. The glove comprises a glove body sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand. The glove body has a palm portion and adjoining finger portions. An integral webbing extends between two of the finger portions. The webbing is sized to receive a stethoscope head between the finger portions when the finger portions are separated. The glove is formed of an acoustically transmissive elastomeric material that is substantially non-porous and sufficiently thin to allow tactile sensitivity and dexterity.

1 . A medical glove for protection against the transmission of infectious agents, comprising:
 a glove body sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand, said glove body having a palm portion and adjoining finger portions, said finger portions including at least a thumb portion, an index finger portion, and a middle finger portion;   an integral webbing extending between two of said finger portions, said webbing being sized to receive a stethoscope head between said finger portions when said finger portions are separated;   said glove being formed of an acoustically transmissive elastomeric material that is substantially non-porous and sufficiently thin to allow tactile sensitivity and dexterity.   
   
   
       2 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein said webbing extends between said index finger portion and said middle finger portion. 
   
   
       3 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein said webbing extends between said thumb portion and said middle finger portion. 
   
   
       4 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein said webbing includes a pocket adapted to receive at least a portion of a stethoscope head. 
   
   
       5 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein said glove has a wall thickness of about 0.01 mm-0.40 mm. 
   
   
       6 . The medical glove of  claim 5 , wherein said glove has a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm-0.20 mm. 
   
   
       7 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride polymer, and polyurethane. 
   
   
       8 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein the glove is an examination glove. 
   
   
       9 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein the glove is a surgical glove.