WO1994003757A1 - Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly - Google Patents

Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1994003757A1
WO1994003757A1 PCT/US1993/006644 US9306644W WO9403757A1 WO 1994003757 A1 WO1994003757 A1 WO 1994003757A1 US 9306644 W US9306644 W US 9306644W WO 9403757 A1 WO9403757 A1 WO 9403757A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
glove
assembly
optical fiber
housing
gown
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1993/006644
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Howard P. Koenen
Raymond W. Trow
Original Assignee
Koenen Howard P
Trow Raymond W
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koenen Howard P, Trow Raymond W filed Critical Koenen Howard P
Priority to AU46784/93A priority Critical patent/AU674529B2/en
Priority to DE69316900T priority patent/DE69316900T2/en
Priority to DK93917188T priority patent/DK0654134T3/en
Priority to JP06505325A priority patent/JP3135575B2/en
Priority to EP93917188A priority patent/EP0654134B1/en
Publication of WO1994003757A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994003757A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41DOUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D19/00Gloves
    • A41D19/0055Plastic or rubber gloves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41DOUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D19/00Gloves
    • A41D19/015Protective gloves
    • A41D19/0157Protective gloves with luminous or reflective means
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/042Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0661Endoscope light sources
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B42/00Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B42/00Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
    • A61B42/10Surgical gloves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/68Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
    • A61B5/6801Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
    • A61B5/6802Sensor mounted on worn items
    • A61B5/6804Garments; Clothes
    • A61B5/6806Gloves
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/30Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0005Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
    • G02B6/0008Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/30Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
    • A61B2090/306Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure using optical fibres
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S362/00Illumination
    • Y10S362/804Surgical or dental spotlight

Definitions

  • This invention relates to protective gloves of the type worn by health care professionals when examining or operating upon patients, and more particularly, to an assembly of a surgical-type glove incorporating an illuminator for projecting light toward the work surface being examined or operated upon. While the following discussion describes the present invention specifically in the context of its most prevalent use in the health care field, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited and has broader applicability to other fields where surgical-type gloves are normally employed. This would include, for example, its use by workers assembling small electronics parts where a contamination-free environment is essential.
  • an optical fiber cable may be used for transmitting light to the bore of the instrument from a light source remote from the instrument.
  • a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for projecting a spotlighting type of illumination toward an anatomical part of a patient being examined or operated upon by a health care professional, having a wide range of applicability independent of the type and construction of the instrument being employed for the particular procedure.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the preceding object, which enables projection of a light beam at varying angles of projection easily controllable by the health care professional immediately as the need arises while performing the procedure.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the preceding objects, which enables projection of a light beam through a light output port sufficiently spaced from the work surface so as to effectively illuminate the required area of work surface.
  • a spotlighting illuminator in assembly with a surgical-type glove adapted to be worn over the hand of a health care professional when examining or operating upon an anatomical part of a patient.
  • the illuminator is securely mounted on the fingers portion of the glove and oriented to project a light beam distally of the glove toward the anatomical part when the glove is in use.
  • the illuminator includes a light housing terminating in a distally facing light output leris. The positioning of the illuminator on the glove is such as to enable sufficient spacing of the light output lens from the intended work surface for effective
  • the light source for the illuminator is a battery-powered lamp self-contained within the light housing.
  • An alternative embodiment employs a light source remote from the glove, and includes at least one optical fiber extending lengthwise through the glove, with its distal end in communication with the interior of the light housing, and its proximal end adapted to be operably coupled to an optical fiber cable leading from the light source.
  • FIG. 1 is a side eievational view of a surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly in accordance with the present invention, being worn over the hands of a health care professional operating upon an anatomical part of a patient;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view of one embodiment of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , with portions broken away and sectioned to illustrate certain details of construction;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view similar to FIG. 2, but showing an alternative embodiment of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 in flattened non-operating form, and further illustrating the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 4, with portions broken away and sectioned to illustrate certain details of construction;
  • FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the assembly 10 is shown being worn over the hand of a surgeon 12 holding a surgical instrument 14 while operative upon an anatomical part of a patient 16.
  • the assembly 10 includes a surgical-type glove 18 of standard construction well known in the art, formed of thin ribber or flexible plastic, and having a distal fingers portion 20, an intermediate metacarpal portion 22, and a proximal wrist portion 24.
  • Positioning the illuminator 26 so as to overlie the middle phalanx of at least one of the fingers of the wearer enables the wearer to easily control
  • the illuminator 26 is positioned so as to overlie the middle phalanx of the wearer's forefinger or index finger.
  • the work surface area effectively illuminated by the light beam 32 emanating from the device of the present invention is much greater than would be possible by a light beam emanating from the distal tip of the instrument 14 similar to the prior art devices, due to the increased spacing of the lens 30 from the work surface.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 An encasement sheath 34 is formed integrally with the topside of the glove 18 and covers the housing 28 without obstructing the lens 30.
  • This type of construction is particularly suitable for use with rubber gloves manufactured by dipping a mold into liquid latex, removing the mold from the liquid, and allowing the latex to dry. Insertion between successive latex drippings of the illuminator 26 with its lens 30 masked, and removal of the masking after final drying, will result in the integrally formed encasement sheath 34 shown in FIGS. 2 and
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the one embodiment of the assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the light source for the illuminator 26 is self-contained within the light housing 28.
  • an incandescent bulb 36 and a battery 38 for powering the bulb are both carried within housing 28.
  • the bulb 36 is operated by a push button switch 40 located on the underside of the housing 28 and which projects through the topside of the glove 18 into the interior 42 of the glove. In this manner, the switch is operable by finger movement of the wearer of the glove.
  • FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, utilizing fiber optics to transmit light to the illuminator 26 from a light source remote from the glove.
  • at least one optical fiber 44 has a length thereof embedded within the material of the topside of the glove 18 and, as shown in FIG. 3, has its distal end 46 extending through the wall of the light housing 28 into communication with the interior of the housing and pointed toward the light output lens 30.
  • the length of optical fiber 44 embedded within the material of the topside of the glove 18 extends lengthwise from the housing 28 through the metacarpal portion 22 and into the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18.
  • the proximal end 48 of the optical fiber 44 exits from the glove material into the interior 42 of the glove along the wrist portion
  • the optical fiber 44 is operably coupled to a fiber optic path leading from a remote light source (not shown), such as an electrically or battery- powered lamp, enabling transmission of light from the light
  • a gown with wrist- length sleeves will normally be worn over the body of the user.
  • Such surgical-type gowns are of standard construction well known in the art, and can be conveniently modified so as to be particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the fiber optics embodiment of the assembly of the present invention employing an optical fiber cable leading from the remote light source.
  • the modification involves providing the gown with an attached casing through which the optical fiber cable can be suitably threaded.
  • the casing extends along the sleeve of the gown from a point adjacent to the wrist end of the sleeve, up the sleeve, over the shoulder and down the back of the gown, and is secured to the gown along its entire length by suitable fastening means, such as stitching or adhesive.
  • suitable fastening means such as stitching or adhesive.
  • FIGS. 4 through 6 An optical fiber cable 52
  • -8- leading from a remote light source (not shown) is threaded through and carried within casing 54 secured along a sleeve 56 of a surgical-type gown 58 adapted to be worn over the body of the user, with the wrist end 60 of its sleeve 56 extending to the wrist of the user, and the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18 extending over the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56.
  • the distal end 62 of the optical cable 52 exits from the casing 54 adjacent the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56, and terminates in a coupler 64 adapted for coupling with the coupler 50 at a coupling location overlying the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56. As shown in FIGS.
  • the coupling location directly overlies the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56, and is covered by the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18.
  • the wrist portion 24 is rolled over on itself during the coupling action, and then rolled back after coupling has been effected.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
  • the proximal end 48 of the optical fiber 44 exits from the glove material along the wrist portion 24, but exteriorly of the glove body, so that the coupling location between the couplers 50 and 64 overlies the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18 as well as the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56.
  • the assembly is further provided with a cuff 66 attached to the exterior of the glove 18 so as to be pivotable between a distally extending position (shown in broken lines) exposing the coupling location, and a proximally extending position (shown in solid lines) covering the coupling location.
  • the cuff is in the distally extending position during the coupling action, and then pivoted to the proximally extending position after coupling has been effected.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Gloves (AREA)
  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Laser Surgery Devices (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

A surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly (10) particularly adapted for use by health care professionals when examining or operating upon an anatomical part (16) of a patient. A spotlighting illuminator (26) is securely mounted on the fingers portion (20) of the glove (18) toward the work surface when the glove (18) is in use. The illuminator (26) may have a self-contained light source (36), or utilize fiber optic-transmitted light from a light source remote from the glove (18).

Description

SURGICAL-TYPE GLOVE AND ILLUMINATOR ASSEMBLY
Background of the Invention This invention relates to protective gloves of the type worn by health care professionals when examining or operating upon patients, and more particularly, to an assembly of a surgical-type glove incorporating an illuminator for projecting light toward the work surface being examined or operated upon. While the following discussion describes the present invention specifically in the context of its most prevalent use in the health care field, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited and has broader applicability to other fields where surgical-type gloves are normally employed. This would include, for example, its use by workers assembling small electronics parts where a contamination-free environment is essential.
When examining or operating upon an anatomical part of a patient, physicians, dentists and veterinarians will usually have available to them several different forms of lighting for illuminating their field of examination or operation. These include natural light entering the room through windows, overhead general room lighting, and directable high intensity lamps in fairly close proximity to the patient. Oftentimes, circumstances will require that these various sources of illumination be supplemented by a spotlighting type of illumination more specifically focused toward the particular body part being examined'or operated upon.
One approach for providing such spotlighting has been to incorporate illumination devices in combination with various
-ι- medical and dental instruments. This type of approach is described, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 4,823,244, issued April 18, 1989, and U. S. Patent No. 5,003,434, issued March 26, 1991. In the devices described in these patents, light is transmitted through the bore of the instrument itself or its handle, and projected toward the body part under examination or operation through the distal tip of the instrument or distal ports in the handle. The light source may be, for example, a battery-powered lamp either housed entirely within the bore of the instrument or handle or detachably connected thereto.
Alternatively, an optical fiber cable may be used for transmitting light to the bore of the instrument from a light source remote from the instrument.
The devices described in the above patents have certain inherent limitations. The relatively small size of the light output ports and their close proximity to the work surface, limit the work surface area that can be effectively illuminated by the projected light beam and permit little variance in the angle of projection of the light beam. Furthermore, since these devices rely upon the instrument or its handle being of hollow construction, this approach lacks universal applicability for use with all types of medical and dental instruments.
Regardless of the type and construction of the instrument being employed for performing any particular procedure, the professional's hand holding and manipulating the instrument will almost invariably be covered with a thin rubber or flexible plastic glove. Such surgical gloves are of standard construction well known in the art:, and are universally worn over the hands of health care professionals when examining or operating upon body parts of patients.
-2-
SUBSTITUTE SH T Summary of the Invention
It is, accordingly, a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for projecting a spotlighting type of illumination toward an anatomical part of a patient being examined or operated upon by a health care professional, having a wide range of applicability independent of the type and construction of the instrument being employed for the particular procedure.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the preceding object, which enables projection of a light beam at varying angles of projection easily controllable by the health care professional immediately as the need arises while performing the procedure.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device in accordance with the preceding objects, which enables projection of a light beam through a light output port sufficiently spaced from the work surface so as to effectively illuminate the required area of work surface.
The above and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by incorporating a spotlighting illuminator in assembly with a surgical-type glove adapted to be worn over the hand of a health care professional when examining or operating upon an anatomical part of a patient. The illuminator is securely mounted on the fingers portion of the glove and oriented to project a light beam distally of the glove toward the anatomical part when the glove is in use. The illuminator includes a light housing terminating in a distally facing light output leris. The positioning of the illuminator on the glove is such as to enable sufficient spacing of the light output lens from the intended work surface for effective
-3- illumination of the required area of work surface, and to enable the angle of projection of the light beam to be easily controllable by simple finger movement of the wearer.
In one embodiment, the light source for the illuminator is a battery-powered lamp self-contained within the light housing.
An alternative embodiment employs a light source remote from the glove, and includes at least one optical fiber extending lengthwise through the glove, with its distal end in communication with the interior of the light housing, and its proximal end adapted to be operably coupled to an optical fiber cable leading from the light source.
The invention, together with its embodiments, will be more fully described by the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a side eievational view of a surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly in accordance with the present invention, being worn over the hands of a health care professional operating upon an anatomical part of a patient;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view of one embodiment of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , with portions broken away and sectioned to illustrate certain details of construction; FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view similar to FIG. 2, but showing an alternative embodiment of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 in flattened non-operating form, and further illustrating the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 4, with portions broken away and sectioned to illustrate certain details of construction; and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side eievational view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention. The assembly 10 is shown being worn over the hand of a surgeon 12 holding a surgical instrument 14 while operative upon an anatomical part of a patient 16. The assembly 10 includes a surgical-type glove 18 of standard construction well known in the art, formed of thin ribber or flexible plastic, and having a distal fingers portion 20, an intermediate metacarpal portion 22, and a proximal wrist portion 24. An illuminator 26, having a light housing 28 terminating in a distally facing light output lens 30, is securely mounted on the topside of the fingers portion 20 of the glove 18, and oriented to project a light beam 32 distally of the glove 18 toward the anatomical part being operated upon. The exact location at which the illuminator 26 is positioned on the glove 18, directly affects both the area of work surface that can be effectively illuminated by the light beam 32, and the ability of the wearer of the glove to control the angle of projection of such light beam. Positioning the illuminator 26 so as to overlie the middle phalanx of at least one of the fingers of the wearer enables the wearer to easily control
-5- the angle of projection of the light beam 32 by simple finger movement, and also provides the proper spacing of the lens 30 from the work surface for effective illumination of the required area of work surface. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the illuminator 26 is positioned so as to overlie the middle phalanx of the wearer's forefinger or index finger. As can be readily seen from FIG. 1 , the work surface area effectively illuminated by the light beam 32 emanating from the device of the present invention, is much greater than would be possible by a light beam emanating from the distal tip of the instrument 14 similar to the prior art devices, due to the increased spacing of the lens 30 from the work surface.
In order to ensure against accidental disengagement of the illuminator 26 from the glove 18, the illuminator must be mounted on the glove in a secure fashion. The preferred means for accomplishing this is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown, an encasement sheath 34 is formed integrally with the topside of the glove 18 and covers the housing 28 without obstructing the lens 30. This type of construction is particularly suitable for use with rubber gloves manufactured by dipping a mold into liquid latex, removing the mold from the liquid, and allowing the latex to dry. Insertion between successive latex drippings of the illuminator 26 with its lens 30 masked, and removal of the masking after final drying, will result in the integrally formed encasement sheath 34 shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. A similar effect can be achieved, but without the encasement sheath being formed integrally with the glove, by shrink-wrapping the'Slluminator 26 onto the topside of the glove 18 with thin plastic film which, if transparent, can also cover the lens 30.
-6- FIG. 2 illustrates the one embodiment of the assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the light source for the illuminator 26 is self-contained within the light housing 28. In this embodiment, an incandescent bulb 36 and a battery 38 for powering the bulb, are both carried within housing 28. The bulb 36 is operated by a push button switch 40 located on the underside of the housing 28 and which projects through the topside of the glove 18 into the interior 42 of the glove. In this manner, the switch is operable by finger movement of the wearer of the glove.
FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, utilizing fiber optics to transmit light to the illuminator 26 from a light source remote from the glove. In this embodiment, at least one optical fiber 44 has a length thereof embedded within the material of the topside of the glove 18 and, as shown in FIG. 3, has its distal end 46 extending through the wall of the light housing 28 into communication with the interior of the housing and pointed toward the light output lens 30. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the length of optical fiber 44 embedded within the material of the topside of the glove 18, extends lengthwise from the housing 28 through the metacarpal portion 22 and into the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18. The proximal end 48 of the optical fiber 44 exits from the glove material into the interior 42 of the glove along the wrist portion
24, and terminates along the wrist portion 24 in a fiber optic coupler 50. Through the coupler 50, the optical fiber 44 is operably coupled to a fiber optic path leading from a remote light source (not shown), such as an electrically or battery- powered lamp, enabling transmission of light from the light
-7- source to within the housing 28.
Particularly when the assembly of the present invention is being utilized in a surgical environment, a gown with wrist- length sleeves will normally be worn over the body of the user. Such surgical-type gowns are of standard construction well known in the art, and can be conveniently modified so as to be particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the fiber optics embodiment of the assembly of the present invention employing an optical fiber cable leading from the remote light source. The modification involves providing the gown with an attached casing through which the optical fiber cable can be suitably threaded. The casing extends along the sleeve of the gown from a point adjacent to the wrist end of the sleeve, up the sleeve, over the shoulder and down the back of the gown, and is secured to the gown along its entire length by suitable fastening means, such as stitching or adhesive. The use of such a casing-modified surgical-type gown in conjunction with the fiber optics embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, enables an optical fiber cable to be suitably threaded through the casing of the gown so that it exits from the casing at its proximal end along the back of the gown and at its distal end adjacent to its coupling location with the coupler 50 of the assembly of the present invention. This type of arrangement facilitates the coupling action while maintaining a sterile field, and also facilitates keeping the optical fiber cable out of the way of the surgeon during the surgical procedure.
The use of the casing-modified surgical-type gown described above in conjunction with the fiber optics embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, is illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6. An optical fiber cable 52
-8- leading from a remote light source (not shown) is threaded through and carried within casing 54 secured along a sleeve 56 of a surgical-type gown 58 adapted to be worn over the body of the user, with the wrist end 60 of its sleeve 56 extending to the wrist of the user, and the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18 extending over the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56. The distal end 62 of the optical cable 52 exits from the casing 54 adjacent the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56, and terminates in a coupler 64 adapted for coupling with the coupler 50 at a coupling location overlying the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coupling location directly overlies the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56, and is covered by the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18. In this embodiment, the wrist portion 24 is rolled over on itself during the coupling action, and then rolled back after coupling has been effected.
FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the FIG. 6 modification, the proximal end 48 of the optical fiber 44 exits from the glove material along the wrist portion 24, but exteriorly of the glove body, so that the coupling location between the couplers 50 and 64 overlies the wrist portion 24 of the glove 18 as well as the wrist end 60 of the sleeve 56. With this modification, the assembly is further provided with a cuff 66 attached to the exterior of the glove 18 so as to be pivotable between a distally extending position (shown in broken lines) exposing the coupling location, and a proximally extending position (shown in solid lines) covering the coupling location. The cuff is in the distally extending position during the coupling action, and then pivoted to the proximally extending position after coupling has been effected.
-9- Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented by the following appended claims.
-10-

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly comprising: a surgical-type glove having a distal fingers portion, an intermediate metacarpal portion and a proximal wrist portion, said glove being adapted to be worn over the hand of a user when examining or operating upon a work surface; and an illumination means securely mounted on said fingers portion of said glove and oriented to project a light beam distally of said glove toward said work surface when said glove is in use.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angle of projection of said light beam is controllable by finger movement of the wearer.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said illumination means is mounted on said glove so as to overlie the middle phalanx of at least one of the fingers of the wearer.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said illumination means is mounted on said glove so as to overlie the forefinger of the wearer.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said illumination means is mounted σή said glove so as to overlie the middle phalanx of said forefinger.
-11-
6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said illumination means comprises a light housing terminating in a distally facing light output lens.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said illumination means is secured to the topside of said glove by an encasement means covering said housing without obstructing said lens.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said encasement means is formed integrally with said glove.
9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said illumination means includes a self-contained battery-powered light source carried within said housing, and switch means carried on the exterior of said housing for operating said light source.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said housing is mounted on the topside of said glove, and said switch means is located on the underside of said housing and projects through the topside of said glove into the interior of said glove so as to be operable by finger movement of the wearer.
11. The assembly of claim 6, further including at least one optical fiber having a distal end communicating with the interior of said housing and a proximal end adapted to be operably connected to a light source remote from said glove for transmitting light from said source to within said housing.
12. The assembly of claim 1 1 , wherein a length of said at least one optical fiber is embedded within the material of said
-12- glove, said length extending from said housing through said metacarpal portion and into said wrist portion of said glove, said proximal end of said at least one optical fiber exiting from said glove material at said wrist portion.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said proximal end of said at least one optical fiber terminates in a coupling means for operably coupling said at least one optical fiber to a fiber optic path leading from said light source.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said at least one optical fiber is of a length accommodating its coupling to said fiber optic path at a location along the wrist portion of said glove.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said proximal end of said at least one optical fiber exits from said glove material interiorly of said glove, and said coupling location is covered by said wrist portion of said glove.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said fiber optic path comprises an optical fiber cable carried within a casing secured along a sleeve of a surgical-type gown adapted to be worn over the body of said user in conjunction with said assembly so that said sleeve extends to the wrist of said user and said wrist portion of said glove extends over said sleeve at said coupling location, the distal end of said optical fiber cable exiting from said casrng adjacent said coupling location.
17. The assembly of claim 16, where said casing
-13- extends over the shoulder and down the back of said gown and is secured to said gown along its entire length, and the proximal end of said optical fiber cable exits from said casing along the back of said gown.
18. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said proximal end of said at least one optical fiber exits from said glove material exteriorly of said glove, and said assembly further includes a cuff means attached to the exterior of said glove so as to be pivotable between a distally extending position exposing said coupling location and a proximally extending position covering said coupling location.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said fiber optic path comprises an optical fiber cable carried within a casing secured along a sleeve of a surgical-type gown adapted to be worn over the body of said user in conjunction witr said assembly so that said sleeve extends to the wrist of said user and said wrist portion of said glove extends over said sleeve at said coupling location, the distal end of said optical fiber cable exiting from said casing adjacent said coupling location.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said casing extends over the shoulder and down the back of said gown and is secured to said gown along its entire length, and the proximal end of said optical fiber cable exits from said casing along the back of said gown.
-14-
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
PCT/US1993/006644 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly WO1994003757A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU46784/93A AU674529B2 (en) 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly
DE69316900T DE69316900T2 (en) 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 SURGICAL GLOVE WITH LIGHTING DEVICE
DK93917188T DK0654134T3 (en) 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 Surgical glove with lighting device
JP06505325A JP3135575B2 (en) 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 Assembly of surgical gloves and lighting equipment
EP93917188A EP0654134B1 (en) 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/926,164 1992-08-05
US07/926,164 US5283722A (en) 1992-08-05 1992-08-05 Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994003757A1 true WO1994003757A1 (en) 1994-02-17

Family

ID=25452839

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1993/006644 WO1994003757A1 (en) 1992-08-05 1993-07-14 Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (2) US5283722A (en)
EP (1) EP0654134B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3135575B2 (en)
AU (2) AU674529B2 (en)
DE (1) DE69316900T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0654134T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2114614T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1994003757A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (72)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5816676A (en) * 1992-08-05 1998-10-06 Koenen Myers; Howard P. Work glove and illuminator assembly
US5283722A (en) * 1992-08-05 1994-02-01 Koenen Howard P Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly
US5667478A (en) * 1992-11-06 1997-09-16 Clarus Medical Systems, Inc. Surgical instrument with stick-on fiber-optic viewing system and method of using
US5680718A (en) 1994-12-20 1997-10-28 First Choice Trading Limited Illuminable hat
US5632548A (en) * 1995-10-12 1997-05-27 Mayfarth; Roger C. Pressure actuated light with digit accommodating housing means
GB2310788B (en) * 1996-03-08 1999-06-16 Jong Edward Aldert Christopher A glove
US6012822A (en) 1996-11-26 2000-01-11 Robinson; William J. Motion activated apparel flasher
US7147338B2 (en) * 2001-04-09 2006-12-12 Kent Gregg Circuit on a curved, or otherwise irregularly shaped, surface, such as on a helmet to be worn on the head, including a fiber optic conductive path
US20030115656A1 (en) * 2001-07-11 2003-06-26 Leblang Daniel I. Article of apparel
US6715897B2 (en) 2001-07-18 2004-04-06 Jack R. Rowe Illuminated hand signal
US6709142B2 (en) * 2002-06-25 2004-03-23 Csaba Gyori Nighttime glove
EP1575452A2 (en) * 2002-12-09 2005-09-21 Oree, Advanced Illumination Solutions Inc. Flexible optical device
US6892397B2 (en) * 2003-01-03 2005-05-17 Anza Sport Group, Inc. Glove with integrated light
US6711746B1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-03-30 Tyrone Orellana Glove apparatus
US20040223321A1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2004-11-11 Crowley Matthew Wagner Hands-free light focusing apparatus and method of delivering light near the fingertips of a user
US6902289B1 (en) * 2003-06-04 2005-06-07 4Th Day Enterprises, L.L.C. Illuminated hand cover assembly
US7013490B2 (en) * 2003-06-23 2006-03-21 Magna Products Llc Illuminated glove
RU2006106920A (en) 2003-08-06 2007-09-20 Синомикс Инк. (Us) T1R HETERO-OLIGOMER TASTE RECEPTORS, CELL LINES THAT EXPRESS THE SPECIFIED RECEPTORS AND TASTE COMPOUNDS
US7165859B1 (en) * 2003-08-25 2007-01-23 Houdini's Magic Shop Lighting device with resilient fastener for attaching to human finger
US20060007669A1 (en) * 2004-07-09 2006-01-12 Blackburn Paul C Ergonomic hand-mounted illumination device
US20060104056A1 (en) * 2004-11-12 2006-05-18 Thomas L. O'brien Hands free light harness and switch assembly
US7163308B2 (en) * 2004-11-22 2007-01-16 Ferrari John S Hand worn illuminated framework
US7503667B2 (en) * 2004-12-24 2009-03-17 Troy Wilkings Lighted glove
US20060198122A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-07 R2 Innovation Llc Illuminated headwear
US7152248B2 (en) * 2005-04-12 2006-12-26 Ziemer Rick L Flashlight gloves
US8128272B2 (en) 2005-06-07 2012-03-06 Oree, Inc. Illumination apparatus
US8272758B2 (en) 2005-06-07 2012-09-25 Oree, Inc. Illumination apparatus and methods of forming the same
US8215815B2 (en) 2005-06-07 2012-07-10 Oree, Inc. Illumination apparatus and methods of forming the same
US10143527B2 (en) 2006-01-19 2018-12-04 Andrew I. Schneider Surgical glove systems and method of using the same
US7951145B2 (en) 2006-01-19 2011-05-31 Schneider Andrew I Surgical glove system
US9149337B2 (en) 2006-01-19 2015-10-06 Andrew I. Schneider Surgical glove systems and method of using the same
US7458699B2 (en) * 2006-03-03 2008-12-02 Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. Ball glove having impact detection and visible annunciation
US8230522B1 (en) 2007-04-09 2012-07-31 Bell Lucas G Gloves with attached illumination means
EP2158429A2 (en) * 2007-05-29 2010-03-03 Oree, Advanced Illumination Solutions INC. Method and device for providing circumferential illumination
US8182128B2 (en) 2007-12-19 2012-05-22 Oree, Inc. Planar white illumination apparatus
US8550684B2 (en) 2007-12-19 2013-10-08 Oree, Inc. Waveguide-based packaging structures and methods for discrete lighting elements
EP2260341A2 (en) 2008-03-05 2010-12-15 Oree, Advanced Illumination Solutions INC. Illumination apparatus and methods of forming the same
US8562165B2 (en) 2008-06-26 2013-10-22 Justin Thompson Pressure activated lighted glove
US7819544B2 (en) * 2008-06-26 2010-10-26 Justin Thompson Pressure activated lighted glove
US8301002B2 (en) 2008-07-10 2012-10-30 Oree, Inc. Slim waveguide coupling apparatus and method
US8297786B2 (en) 2008-07-10 2012-10-30 Oree, Inc. Slim waveguide coupling apparatus and method
US8624527B1 (en) 2009-03-27 2014-01-07 Oree, Inc. Independently controllable illumination device
US20100320904A1 (en) 2009-05-13 2010-12-23 Oree Inc. LED-Based Replacement Lamps for Incandescent Fixtures
US8727597B2 (en) 2009-06-24 2014-05-20 Oree, Inc. Illumination apparatus with high conversion efficiency and methods of forming the same
US9681813B2 (en) 2009-07-29 2017-06-20 Dinnos Technology Neurophysiological stimulation system and methods with wireless communication
US8427014B2 (en) 2010-05-11 2013-04-23 The Invention Science Fund I, Llc System including wearable power receiver and wearable power-output device
US8038310B1 (en) 2010-10-05 2011-10-18 Mechanix Wear, Inc. Glove illumination system and method
FR2966717B1 (en) 2010-10-27 2013-07-26 Commissariat Energie Atomique STERILE PROTECTION WITH LIGHT GUIDES FOR MEDICAL PROBE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
JP5016741B2 (en) * 2010-11-02 2012-09-05 昭和電工株式会社 Capacitive touch panel input device, input method and assembly
USD739062S1 (en) 2011-05-20 2015-09-15 Kenneth A. Phares Glove with illumination
US20130000655A1 (en) * 2011-07-01 2013-01-03 Vladimir Velazquez Ninja Pick Device
US9170009B1 (en) * 2011-08-30 2015-10-27 Paul N. Smith One-handed activation device
WO2013049076A1 (en) 2011-09-26 2013-04-04 Schneider Andew I Method of making polymeric gloves having embedded surgical support systems and discrete elements
US10292781B2 (en) 2011-09-26 2019-05-21 Andrew I. Schneider Method of making polymeric gloves having embedded surgical support systems and discrete elements
DE202011051757U1 (en) 2011-10-26 2012-01-27 Bernd RAMHORST Maintenance glove
US8591072B2 (en) 2011-11-16 2013-11-26 Oree, Inc. Illumination apparatus confining light by total internal reflection and methods of forming the same
US9148931B2 (en) 2012-02-08 2015-09-29 Emazing Lights, Llc Independently programmable lights for use in gloves
US9445876B2 (en) * 2012-02-27 2016-09-20 Covidien Lp Glove with sensory elements incorporated therein for controlling at least one surgical instrument
US9857519B2 (en) 2012-07-03 2018-01-02 Oree Advanced Illumination Solutions Ltd. Planar remote phosphor illumination apparatus
US20140265906A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Emazing Lights, Llc Methods and apparatus for lighting effects in a moving medium
US9657935B2 (en) 2013-07-12 2017-05-23 Benjamin Michael Wilson Wearable devices with integrated light sources
US20160198938A1 (en) * 2015-01-09 2016-07-14 Elvire Lizaire Video camera and speculum combination assembly
US10398181B2 (en) 2015-01-23 2019-09-03 Mangata, Llc Illuminated glove
US9700087B2 (en) 2015-01-23 2017-07-11 Mangata, Llc Illuminated glove assembly
US9572384B2 (en) 2015-01-23 2017-02-21 Mangata, Llc Illuminated glove assembly
US9839244B2 (en) 2015-01-23 2017-12-12 Mangata, Llc Illuminated glove assembly
US10524813B2 (en) * 2015-04-19 2020-01-07 Bam Medical Ltd. Frenulum spreader
US20150282539A1 (en) * 2015-06-22 2015-10-08 Cullen Darby Bowling Glove and Wrist Brace with Laser Guide
US20170086521A1 (en) * 2015-09-25 2017-03-30 Justin Corbett Sterner Poly Encased utility knuckle flashlight gloves
USD810360S1 (en) 2016-02-23 2018-02-13 Mangata, Llc Glove
US10677436B2 (en) 2018-04-30 2020-06-09 Jerome Otto Schorr, III Remote control switch for arm-mounted flashlight
US11255531B2 (en) 2018-04-30 2022-02-22 Jerome Otto Schorr, III Remote control arm-mounted flashlight

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US455972A (en) * 1891-07-14 Paul oudin and henri othon kratz-boussac
US1173269A (en) * 1914-10-07 1916-02-29 Christian Heidemann Signaling device.
US1553860A (en) * 1922-09-22 1925-09-15 Hopper E Mason Finger lamp
US3638011A (en) * 1970-06-01 1972-01-25 Merril H Bain Hand glove and light signal attachment therefor
US3881684A (en) * 1971-05-10 1975-05-06 Jr Ransom J Daniels Tie rod for concrete forms
US5086378A (en) * 1990-08-20 1992-02-04 Prince Mark W Fiber optic finger light
US5124892A (en) * 1990-12-07 1992-06-23 Nite Optics, Inc. Hand mounted aviation night vision illuminating device

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US914975A (en) * 1905-07-27 1909-03-09 Guy R Radley Portable electric light.
US3811684A (en) * 1973-06-11 1974-05-21 W Tredway Golf swing training glove including light projecting device
JPS5714817A (en) * 1980-06-30 1982-01-26 Olympus Optical Co Ltd Light source device for optical apparatus
GB2107571B (en) 1981-10-15 1985-03-13 Standard Telephones Cables Ltd Gloves with integral optical fibres
US4422131A (en) * 1982-09-07 1983-12-20 Concept P.R. Inc. Finger light
US4757426A (en) * 1986-11-06 1988-07-12 Storz Instrument Company Illumination system for fiber optic lighting instruments
US4823244A (en) * 1988-01-29 1989-04-18 Niagara Medical Innovations Inc. Light source assembly
US4797793A (en) * 1988-02-24 1989-01-10 Fields Tom R Headband for holding a flashlight
US5003434A (en) * 1988-09-30 1991-03-26 Den-Tal-Ez, Inc. Miniature hand-held spot source of illumination
US4974094A (en) * 1989-12-04 1990-11-27 Yuhkoh Morito Direct lighting/illuminating system for miniature CCD camera
US4970631A (en) * 1990-04-02 1990-11-13 Marshall Timothy E Headband device for holding flashlight
US5283722A (en) * 1992-08-05 1994-02-01 Koenen Howard P Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US455972A (en) * 1891-07-14 Paul oudin and henri othon kratz-boussac
US1173269A (en) * 1914-10-07 1916-02-29 Christian Heidemann Signaling device.
US1553860A (en) * 1922-09-22 1925-09-15 Hopper E Mason Finger lamp
US3638011A (en) * 1970-06-01 1972-01-25 Merril H Bain Hand glove and light signal attachment therefor
US3881684A (en) * 1971-05-10 1975-05-06 Jr Ransom J Daniels Tie rod for concrete forms
US5086378A (en) * 1990-08-20 1992-02-04 Prince Mark W Fiber optic finger light
US5124892A (en) * 1990-12-07 1992-06-23 Nite Optics, Inc. Hand mounted aviation night vision illuminating device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP0654134A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0654134B1 (en) 1998-02-04
DE69316900T2 (en) 1998-09-17
JPH08502666A (en) 1996-03-26
JP3135575B2 (en) 2001-02-19
US5535105A (en) 1996-07-09
AU688710B2 (en) 1998-03-12
AU674529B2 (en) 1997-01-02
US5283722A (en) 1994-02-01
AU1655697A (en) 1997-06-12
EP0654134A4 (en) 1995-08-23
EP0654134A1 (en) 1995-05-24
DE69316900D1 (en) 1998-03-12
AU4678493A (en) 1994-03-03
DK0654134T3 (en) 1998-09-23
ES2114614T3 (en) 1998-06-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5283722A (en) Surgical-type glove and illuminator assembly
US5816676A (en) Work glove and illuminator assembly
EP3313310B1 (en) Devices for assisting in open surgeries
US6902290B2 (en) Finger-mounted light for variable light output
US6892397B2 (en) Glove with integrated light
CA2392985C (en) Light delivery systems and applications thereof
US10130441B2 (en) Clip-on affixable light source
WO2014033426A1 (en) Surgical retractors
US8182479B2 (en) Surgical glove system
US5580147A (en) Fiber-lighted stylet
DE60111057D1 (en) Intubationsinstrument
MX166787B (en) GLOVE THAT HAS IMPROVED ASPECTS OF CUFF SECURING
ATE291378T1 (en) SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY
US6902289B1 (en) Illuminated hand cover assembly
WO2010085958A1 (en) A glove optics assembly
ES2151024T3 (en) ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT OF RESECTION.
US6059723A (en) Fiberoptically illuminated tongue depressor
CN211610049U (en) Disposable gloves for orthopedic surgery
WO2000020797A2 (en) Glove assembly
JPS61234835A (en) Medical connection cord
JPS62144631A (en) Endoscope

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA JP

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1993917188

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1993917188

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 1993917188

Country of ref document: EP