GB2237975A - Protective sleeve, e.g. for medical use - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective sleeve 14 comprises a generally tubular length of a fluid tight material (e.g. a natural of synthetic rubber or other elastomeric material) having means at or adjacent each end such as elasticated section 18, 20 to retain the sleeve on the arm of a wearer. The sleeve is dimensioned to be a loose fit over at least a major part of the arm of a wearer. Separate elasticated bands may also be used for attachment. That end of the sleeve to be worn at the wrist of a wearer is preferably adapted for fluid tight interconnection with a glove worn by the wearer. This interconnection may be provided as an adhesive coating 26 on the inner (or outer) surface of a sleeve cuff 24 which cuff part in use overlies (or underlies) and engage the outer (or inner) surface of a cuff a glove 12 worn by the wearer. A pair of the sleeves are provided interconnected by a tape, cord or string which passes in use behind the neck of a wearer to support the sleeves on his arms. The sleeve may be provided with a series of perforations (22) at or adjacent the upper (in use) end thereof permitting perspiration on the arm of a wearer to escape. Pairs of the sleeves may be provided in a sterile, sealed readily rupturable container. <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTIVE SLEEVE DESCRIPTION The invention concerns protective sleeves, more particularly but not exclusively sleeves for protecting a wearer from animal or human body fluids.

In the recent past it has become increasingly important that those working with animal and human bodies are protected from any contamination borne by the body fluids (blood, urine) of the bodies on which they are working.

In the field of human health this has become even more important in recently with the increasing prevalence of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and hepatitis.

With both of these infections, in particular, there is no ready way of knowing if a patient to be treated is infected without testing before treatment can be started - and very often there is insufficient time in which to make those tests which are available before the treatment must begin.

The risk of infection with the HIV or Hepatitis virus, via a break in the skin, is extremely high if the patient being treated is affected by either of these conditions.

Until now the only real protection available to workers in this field has been the use of known surgical rubber gloves.

At present two types of surgical rubber glove are available. One is a hand glove having a relatively short cuff ending at, or just above, a wearer's wrist whilst the other has a much longer extended cuff or sleeve which extends up the arm of a wearer almost to the full length of his or her arm and grips the arm along the length of the extended cuff.

Both forms of glove known to me are unsatisfactory. The glove which extend only to the wearer's wrist leave the fore and upper arms of the wearer unprotected and open to possible contamination. This is especially the case where the wearer of the glove is practising midwifery or a deep surgical procedure (for example within the abdominal cavity). The main disadvantage of the long cuff glove known to me is that it is difficult to put on, cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear. The nature of the rubberised material from which these gloves are made leads to excessive perspiration from the fore arms of a wearer.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sleeve which will protect the fore arm and at least part of the upper arm of an individual practising a surgical or gynaecological procedure from contact with the bodily fluids of the patient.

There is also a present need to provide suitable protection to the fore arms and upper arms of workers in food processing and chemical industries, certain areas of the construction industry and generally in domestic use (within the house or when gardening outside the house).

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective sleeve usable in these circumstances.

In one aspect the invention provides a protective sleeve comprising a generally tubular length of a fluid tight material suitable to be worn on an arm, said generally tubular length material having means at or adjacent each end thereof operable, in use, to retain the sleeve on the arm of a wearer.

With advantage said tubular length of fluid tight material is dimensioned such that it is, in use, a loose fit over at least a major part of the arm of a wearer.

A first end of the said tubular length of fluid tight material intended to be worn at or adjacent the wrist of a wearer is preferably adapted for fluid tight interconnection with a glove worn by the wearer.

The fluid tight interconnection of said first end of the generally tubular length of fluid tight material and a glove worn by a wearer may be provided as an adhesive coating on the inner surface of a cuff part of the sleeve at said first end which cuff part is adapted, in use, to overlie and engage the outer surface of a cuff part of a glove worn by the wearer. In the alternative said adhesive coating may be provided on the outer surface of a cuff part of the sleeve at said first end which cuff part is adapted, in use, to underlie and engage the inner surface of a cuff part of a glove worn by the wearer.

With advantage said generally tubular length of fluid tight material is provided adjacent said first end with an elasticated portion adapted in use to grip the lower part of the fore arm of a wearer.

The sleeve defined may be provided in combination with a wrist band adapted in use to be located adjacent said first end of the generally tubular length of fluid tight material on or adjacent the wrist of a wearer so as to retain the sleeve on the arm of the wearer.

The second end of said generally tubular length of fluid tight material may be elasticated such that, in use, it grips the arm of a wearer to retain the sleeve in position.

The sleeve defined may be provided in combination with an arm band operable, in use, to surround and grip the generally tubular length of fluid tight material at or adjacent the second end thereof so as to retain the sleeve on the arm of a wearer.

Preferably the generally tubular length of fluid tight material is provided with a series of perforations at or adjacent said second end thereof for permitting perspiration on the arm of a wearer to readily evaporate.

A pair of sleeves may be provided which are interconnected by a cord or string passing between the second ends thereof such that in use the sleeves may be supported on; the arms of a wearer by said string or cord passing around the neck of a wearer.

Advantageously pairs of sleeves embodying the invention are provided in a sterile, sealed readily rupturable container.

Desirably a sleeve embodying the invention is natural of synthetic rubber, other elastomeric material or any other suitable fluid tight fabric.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention now made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1, schematically illustrates a sleeve embodying the invention being worn by an individual, Figure 2, schematically illustrates a modified part of the sleeve in Figure 1 in more detail, and Figure 3, illustrates a pair of sleeves as shown in Figure 1 provided in a sealed, sterile, readily rupturable container, Figure 1 shows an arm 10 of an individual wearing a rubber surgical glove 12 of conventional form. The individual also has on his arm a sleeve 14 embodying this invention.

Sleeve 14 comprises a generally tubular central part 16 which is of greater diameter than the thickness of the wearers arm. Thus sleeve 14 is a loose fit on the arm of the wearer over most of the wearer's arm.

A first, as viewed in Figure 1 the lower, end of sleeve 14 is elasticated in any suitable way as shown in 18, such that this end of sleeve 14 grips the wrist (or fore arm adjacent the wrist) of the wearer. The second, as viewed in Figure 1 the upper, end 20 of sleeve 14 is similarly elasticated such that the upper end of the sleeve is a relatively tight but comfortable grip on the upper arm of the wearer - in the region of his or her armpit.

Immediately adjacent the elasticated end 20 of sleeve 14 there is provided a plurality of apertures 22 as shown in Figure 1. Apertures 22 permit the ready evaporation of any perspiration which may appear on the arm of a wearer of the sleeve.

The extremity of the lower end of sleeve 14 of Figure comprises a cuff 24 spaced on the side of the elasticated portion 18 from the second end 20 of the sleeve.

The further portion 24 is unelasticated but sized to be a snug fit on the wrist of a wearer and is provided, on its inner surface, with an adhesive material.

It will be seen that after a wearer has put on the sleeve 14 he can adjust its height on his arm such that the unelasticated outermost end of the sleeve 24 underlies the cuff portion of a glove 12 he has first to put on. It is thus possible for the wearer to put the glove 12 onto his hand such that the glove cuff underlies the portion 24 of sleeve 14 and contacts the adhesive thereon. In this way it is possible for the wearer to ensure that there is a generally fluid tight ' interconnection between the fluid tight, rubber, glove 12 and the sleeve 14.

Figure 2 shows a modified form of the lower end of the sleeve 14 of Figure 1 in which the adhesive is provided as two continuous strips 26 on the outer surface of cuff 24.

It will be seen that with this form of the sleeve a fluid tight interconnect ion may be made between the cuff 24 of sleeve 14 and the cuff of a glove 12 as the glove is pulled on by a wearer after positioning sleeve 14 on his or her arm.

Figure 3 illustrates the way in which it is intended a sleeve 14 such as shown in Figure 1 (or Figure 2) be provided to a wearer. Figure 3 shows two sleeves 30 folded upon themselves and placed within a sealed cellophane or other suitable material envelope 32. It is envisaged that the sleeves will be formed, and then placed within the sealed envelope 32, in a sterile environment such that the sleeves when initially put on by a wearer, will be sterile.

It is proposed that pairs of sleeves be provided in this form and that they be treated as disposable items in order that the danger of cross contamination from one patient undergoing treatment and another is obviated.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

If desired the elasticated nature of the first and second -ends of the sleeve as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may be varied. For example by providing that these ends of the sleeves are not elasticated but are held in position by cheap, disposable, arm bands.

Alternatively merely the first, lower end of the sleeve may be provided with the elasticated portion 18, the upper end of the sleeve being held in position on the upper arm of the wearer by means of an arm band, or by means of tapes, cords or strings in use running up the arms, across the shoulders and behind the neck of a wearer.

The sleeve itself is desirably of natural or synthetic rubber but may be of any other suitable material.

As described the extreme cuff end 24 of the sleeve 14 is provided with an adhesive material on its inner or outer surface. It will of course be appreciated that the cuff end 24 of sleeve 14 may be provided with no adhesive thereon with for example an appropriate adhesive material being provided on the inner or outer surface of the glove cuff - or even that a fluid tight interconnection between the sleeve and the glove cuff be provided by relying upon the natural resilience and elasticity of the materials used for glove and sleeve. If desired the adhesive material may be replaced with other materials (e.g. velcro) by which sleeve and glove may be coupled together.

It will be appreciated that protective sleeves embodying the invention may be provided in a range of different sizes adapted for use by individuals of different physical sizes.

It will be appreciated that other modifications may be made to the arrangements described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Finally, it will be seen that the described embodiments provide a comfortable alternative to the extended cuff gloves known to me whilst providing adequate protection for the wearer from contamination borne by the body fluids (blood, urine) of patients on which they are working - particularly when the wearer of the glove is practising midwifery or a deep surgical procedure on the patient.

Claims (15)

1. A protective sleeve comprising a generally tubular length of a fluid tight material suitable to be worn on an arm, said generally tubular length material having means at or adjacent each end thereof operable, in use, to retain the sleeve on the arm of a wearer.

2. A sleeve as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said tubular length of material is dimensioned such that it is, in use, a loose fit over at least a major part of the arm of a wearer.

3. A sleeve as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a first end of the said tubular length of material intended to be worn at or adjacent the wrist of a wearer is adapted for fluid tight interconnection with a glove worn by the wearer.

4. A sleeve as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said fluid tight interconnection of said first end of the generally tubular length of fluid tight material and a glove worn by a wearer is provided as an adhesive coating on the inner surface of a cuff part of the sleeve at said first end which cuff part is adapted, in use, to overlie and engage the outer surface of a cuff part of a glove worn by the wearer.

5. A sleeve as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said fluid tight interconnection of said first end of the generally tubular length of fluid tight material and a glove worn by a wearer is provided as an adhesive coating on the outer surface of a cuff part of the sleeve at said first end which cuff part is adapted, in use, to underlie and engage the inner surface of a cuff part of a glove worn by the wearer.

6. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said generally tubular length of fluid tight material is provided adjacent said first end with an elasticated portion adapted in use to grip the lower part of the fore arm of a wearer.

7. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in combination with a wrist band adapted in use to be located adjacent said first end of the generally tubular length of fluid tight material on or adjacent the wrist of a wearer so as to retain the sleeve on the arm of the wearer.

8. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second end of said generally tubular length of fluid tight material is elasticated such that, in use, it grips the arm of a wearer to retain the sleeve in position.

9. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in combination with an arm band operable, in use, to surround and grip the generally tubular length of fluid tight material at or adjacent the second end thereof so as to retain the sleeve on the arm of a wearer.

10. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the generally tubular length of fluid tight material is provided with a series of perforations at or adjacent said second end thereof for permitting perspiration on the arm of a wearer to evaporate.

11. A pair of sleeves each as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, which are interconnected by a tape, cord or string passing between the second ends thereof such that in use the sleeves may be supported on the arms of a wearer by said tape, cord or string passing across the shoulders and behind the neck of a wearer.

12. A pair of sleeves each as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or as claimed in Claim 11, provided in a sterile, sealed rupturable container.

13. A sleeve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 when made of natural of synthetic rubber or other elastomeric material.

14. A protective sleeve as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A pair of sleeves as claimed in Claim 12 and substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing.