Medical glove capable of supporting, interacting, and/or receiving a medical instrument to protect against transmission of contaminants

Abstract

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

1 . Protective equipment for a medical instrument, comprising:
 a medical glove for guarding against the transmission of infectious agents, said glove formed of a substantially non-porous and fluid impervious elastomeric material sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand having a wall thickness of about 0.01 mm to 0.40 mm and provides tactile sensitivity, dexterity, and acoustic transmissivity, said glove comprising:   a palm portion,   adjoining finger portions, and   a webbing adjoining two of said finger portions; and   wherein said webbing material provides acoustic transmissivity to a medical instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the webbing is further comprising a flap forming a medical instrument retaining pocket enclosure that at least one of supports, interfaces with, and receives at least some portion of the medical instrument. 
     
     
         3 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the medical instrument is at least one of stethoscope, speculum, endoscope, surgical light, tongue depressor, otoscope, ultrasound, sonography device, auriscope, and laryngoscope handle and blade. 
     
     
         4 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the finger portions are adjoined by the webbing forming a single region for containing two or more fingers of the wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the webbing extends between two distinct finger portions. 
     
     
         6 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the finger portions include at least an index finger portion and a middle finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the index finger portion and the middle finger portion. 
     
     
         7 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the finger portions include at least a thumb portion and an index finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the thumb portion and the index finger portion. 
     
     
         8 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the medical glove has a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm-0.20 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride polymer, and polyurethane. 
     
     
         10 . The protective equipment of  claim 1 , wherein the medical glove is at least one of an examination glove and a surgical glove. 
     
     
         11 . The protective equipment of claim, wherein the webbing material at least one supports, interacts with, and receives at least some portion the medical equipment. 
     
     
         12 . A medical glove, comprising:
 a palm portion,   adjoining finger portions,   a webbing adjoining two of the finger portions;   wherein the medical glove is constructed of a substantially non-porous and fluid impervious elastomeric material having a wall thickness of about 0.01 mm to 0.40 mm; and   wherein the webbing at least one of supports, interfaces with, and receives at least some portion of a medical instrument.   
     
     
         13 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the medical glove is at least one of sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand, guards against the transmission of infectious agents, and provides tactile sensitivity and dexterity. 
     
     
         14 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the webbing is further comprising a flap forming a medical instrument retaining pocket enclosure that at least one of supports, interfaces with, and receives at least some portion of the medical instrument. 
     
     
         15 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the medical instrument is at least one of stethoscope, speculum, endoscope, surgical light, tongue depressor, otoscope, ultrasound, sonography device, auriscope, and laryngoscope handle and blade. 
     
     
         16 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the finger portions are adjoined by the webbing forming a single region for containing two or more fingers of the wearer. 
     
     
         17 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the webbing extends between two distinct finger portions. 
     
     
         18 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the finger portions include at least an index finger portion and a middle finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the index finger portion and the middle finger portion. 
     
     
         19 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the finger portions include at least a thumb portion and an index finger portion, and the webbing adjoins the thumb portion and the index finger portion. 
     
     
         20 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the medical glove has a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm-0.20 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of latex, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, polyisoprene, polyvinyl chloride polymer, and polyurethane. 
     
     
         22 . The medical glove of  claim 12 , wherein the medical glove is at least one of an examination glove and a surgical glove. 
     
     
         23 . The medical glove of  claim 1 , wherein the webbing material provides at least one of acoustic transmissivity and support to an additional piece of medical equipment.