Finger protection device for use in a medical procedure

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting a finger of a physician or practitioner during a medical procedure includes a generally tubular flexible member disposed about a longitudinal axis. The flexible member includes a first layer comprising a textile material, the first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second layer provided within the first layer on the inner surface of the first layer, the second layer comprising a cushion material. The flexible member further includes a guard section abutting the first layer and extending along a portion of the longitudinal axis, the guard section comprising a generally rigid material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting a finger during a medical procedure, comprising:
 a generally tubular flexible member disposed about a longitudinal axis, the flexible member having:
 (i) a first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, and 
 (ii) a second layer provided within the first layer on the inner surface of the first layer; and 
   a guard section abutting the first layer and extending along a portion of the tubular flexible member generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the guard section comprising a generally rigid material.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a textile material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard section extends over approximately ⅓ of a circumference of the generally tubular flexible member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard section comprises a plurality of rigid plate members provided on the outer surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plate members are disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plate members is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each of the rigid plate members is made of one or more of: ABS, PVC, Acetal (Delrin), Acrylic, HDPE, CPVC, CTFE, Cast Nylon, Glass filled nylon and Kevlar filled nylon, PEEK, PETG, Polycarbonate, and PTFE. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a gel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the gel is a mineral oil gel comprising a polymer gel impregnated with a medical grade mineral oil. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is a woven fabric material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is a woven fabric material. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard section comprises a single plate member provided on the outer surface of the first layer and extending along a portion of the flexible tubular member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plate member has a first thickness and wherein the plate member includes a saddle area comprising a recessed portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the saddle area extends approximately ⅓ of a circumference of the generally tubular flexible member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the single plate member is made of one or more of: ABS, PVC, Acetal (Delrin), Acrylic, HDPE, CPVC, CTFE, Cast Nylon, Glass filled nylon and Kevlar filled nylon, PEEK, PETG, Polycarbonate, and PTFE. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guard section comprises a single plate member provided on the inner surface of the first layer and extending along a portion of the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the outer surface of the first layer comprises an indicia disposed thereon generally opposite the single plate member. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the plate member has a first thickness and wherein the plate member includes a saddle area comprising a recessed portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the saddle area extends approximately ⅙ of a circumference of the generally tubular flexible member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the plate member is made of one or more of: ABS, PVC, Acetal (Delrin), Acrylic, HDPE, CPVC, CTFE, Cast Nylon, Glass filled nylon and Kevlar filled nylon, PEEK, PETG, Polycarbonate, and PTFE.