WO1996004546A1 - Systeme pour surveiller l'integrite de la protection assuree par un vetement - Google Patents

Systeme pour surveiller l'integrite de la protection assuree par un vetement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996004546A1
WO1996004546A1 PCT/US1995/008979 US9508979W WO9604546A1 WO 1996004546 A1 WO1996004546 A1 WO 1996004546A1 US 9508979 W US9508979 W US 9508979W WO 9604546 A1 WO9604546 A1 WO 9604546A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
layer
article
glove
electrically conductive
electrically
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1995/008979
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Chris Catsimanes
Robert Hotto
Dietmar P. Rabussay
Marco Thompson
Original Assignee
Doctor Design, Inc.
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 Doctor Design, Inc. filed Critical Doctor Design, Inc.
Publication of WO1996004546A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996004546A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
    • G01N27/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating resistance
    • G01N27/20—Investigating the presence of flaws
    • G01N27/205—Investigating the presence of flaws in insulating materials

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparel, and, more particularly, to an approach for determining breaches in the barrier integrity of an article of clothing.
  • the gloves are usually made of latex or a synthetic elastomer for a good fit.
  • the gloves protect the medical personnel against infection from the patient, and, conversely, protect the patient against contamination or infection.
  • protection for medical personnel against infection was of concern, but was not normally a matter of life-or-death.
  • contact of a single droplet of bodily fluid of an AIDS-infected person to a lesion on the hand of a doctor, nurse, or other health-care worker may spread the disease with disastrous results. Extensive precautions are therefore taken to avoid such contact.
  • medical personnel double or triple glove to guard against infection through holes in the gloves.
  • the use of multiple or thick gloves may not be possible. Similar considerations apply for personnel who handle other hazardous materials such as poisons or radioactive substances in their work. Holes may be present or may develop through a glove or other article of clothing for many reasons, and the bodily fluids of the patient may flow through the holes. Latex and many types of synthetic elastomers are subject to degradation in a hospital environment when exposed to ozone or sunlight, or in other situations when exposed to degrading chemicals or radiation. A hole may also result from contact with a scalpel or other sharp instrument. In some instances, the creation of the hole and its cause may be apparent to the wearer of the glove, but in other cases the hole may appear without warning or awareness of its presence.
  • a number of monitoring systems have been developed to monitor the breach of the barrier integrity of gloves or other medical apparel worn by medical personnel or others protected from hazardous materials by their apparel.
  • an electrical circuit is created through the patient, a floor mat that the medical personnel stand upon, and the medical personnel being monitored.
  • the circuit is interrupted by the barrier of the glove. If a hole develops in that barrier so that fluid flows through the hole, the circuit is completed and an alarm sounds.
  • Such a system is sometimes useful in the context of surgery or dentistry, where the patient is stationary and the medical personnel stand on the mat at all times when near the patient. It is less satisfactory where the medical personnel or the patient moves about, as in the case of rendering emergency or home medical services.
  • the present invention provides a system for monitoring barrier integrity of gloves, gowns, or other apparel.
  • the wearer of the apparel is not constrained in movement by the need to stand on a mat, trail a cable, or otherwise maintain an external electrical circuit.
  • the monitoring system is not bulky or difficult to use, and does not impede the ability of the wearer to perform medical and other tasks.
  • the wearer is warned of any breach of barrier integrity that might result in infection or contamination.
  • This system is particularly useful for medical personnel and others who must handle or are exposed to hazardous substances in their work, and are protected against such substances by their apparel.
  • the system can also be used in the manufacturing or maintenance quality control of the apparel.
  • a system for determining a breach in an article of clothing comprises an article of clothing worn by a user.
  • the article comprises a multilayer design including a first elastomer or other deformable layer adjacent to the surface of the body of the user, and an electrically conductive deformable layer overlying the first elastomer layer.
  • the system further includes means for sensing a movement of electrical charge between the electrically conductive deformable layer and the body of the user.
  • the means for sensing can detect resistance or voltage changes, or electrical charge flows. If the barrier is breached and fluid flows between the exterior of the glove and the hand of the wearer, an electrical charge flows and is detected by the means for sensing. In a variation of this approach, additional layers of elastomer and electrically conducting material are added to the article of clothing in an alternating fashion.
  • the means for sensing can be structured to sense the electrical charge flow between any two electrically conducting layers. Where the charge flow occurs between two layers of the article of clothing rather than through the body of the user, one of the electrically conductive layers may be placed next to the skin of the person.
  • the use of a multiple-layer construction also permits detection of noncritical breaches through the outer layers prior to the breach extending all the way to the skin of the user and becoming a critical breach.
  • the electrically nonconducting layers of the glove are preferably a dip-formable elastomer.
  • the electrically conducting layers are preferably a dip-formable elastomer filled with conducting particles such as carbon particles or an elastomer that is inherently electrically conductive. This material has elastomeric properties but is also electrically conducting. Other materials and techniques are also operable for constructing the gloves and other articles of clothing.
  • the means for sensing includes electronic circuitry for applying a voltage between two conducting regions, and measuring the charge flow or resistance change resulting from a breach of the nonconducting layer between the conducting regions. Equivalently in this respect, the voltage can also be supplied by the electrically conductive material itself rather than by an external source, as by using a piezoelectric material.
  • the circuitry can also be provided with logic, as, for example, to sense the rate of change of charge flow or resistance in order to determine the development of a defect.
  • the circuitry is preferably placed in a necklace worn around the neck of the user or in a wristwatch-like band worn around the wrist of the user on the same hand as the glove.
  • the circuitry can also be provided in a belt, a vest, or other article worn by the user.
  • the present invention provides an important advance in the art of medical apparel.
  • the glove and sensor system of the invention provide convenient protection for the wearer of the article of clothing, a warning of a breach of the barrier integrity of the article, and complete mobility for the wearer of the article.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a person using one embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2a is a perspective view of a person using a second embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2b is a detail of Figure 2a, showing the wrist-mounted electronics
  • Figure 3a is a cutaway view of a glove using a four-layer embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3b is a cutaway view of a glove using a three-layer embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3c is a cutaway view of a glove using a two-layer embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4a is a schematic sectional view of the layered structure of Figure 3a;
  • Figure 4b is a schematic sectional view of the layered structure of Figure 3b;
  • Figure 4c is a schematic sectional view of the layered structure of Figure 3c;
  • Figure 4d is a schematic sectional view of a five-layer embodiment of the layered structure;
  • Figure 4e is a schematic sectional view of an alternative two-layer embodiment of the layered structure
  • Figure 5a is a plan view of a glove from the back side of the glove, the glove having the electrically conductive layers over only a portion of the glove;
  • Figure 5b is a plan view of the glove of Figure 5a, turned over so that the palm side is up;
  • Figure 6a is a plan view of another embodiment of the glove, with the back side of the glove up;
  • Figure 6b is a plan view of the embodiment of 6a, except with the palm side up;
  • Figure 6c is an enlarged detail of Figure 6a, showing a structure of the conductive regions
  • Figure 6d is a further enlarged detail of Figure 6c;
  • Figure 7a is a schematic drawing of an electrical circuit for the four-layered structure of Figure 3a;
  • Figure 7b is a schematic drawing of an electrical circuit for the three-layered structure of Figure 3b
  • Figure 7c is a schematic drawing of an electrical circuit for the two-layered structure of Figure 3c;
  • Figure 8 is a schematic drawing of a capacitance measurement circuit that can be used with the present invention
  • Figure 9 is a schematic drawing of a resistance measurement circuit that can be used with the present invention
  • Figure 10a is a sectional view through the wrist of the wrist band electronics device.
  • Figure 10b is a plan view of the wrist band.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a person 20 wearing articles of clothing incorporating the approach of the invention.
  • the person 20 wears gloves 22 and 24 and a gown 26. Electrical contacts to these articles 22, 24, and 26 are made through respective single or multiwire leads 28, 30, and 32.
  • the leads 28, 30, and 32 extend to a necklace 34 worn about the neck of the person 20.
  • the necklace 34 contains electronic circuitry 35 used in the measurement of loss of barrier integrity of the articles of clothing. The electronic circuitry 35 will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.
  • Figure 2a illustrates another embodiment of the invention, which is similar except that the electronic circuitry 35 for each glove 22 and 24 is contained in a respective wrist band 36 or 38 on the wrist of the person immediately adjacent to the respective glove 22 and 24.
  • Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrate three embodiments of a layered structure for articles that can be used in the present approach, in an application to a glove structure 50.
  • Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c present respective sectional views.
  • Figures 4d and 4e depict two other layered structures that can be used. Similar principles apply to gowns, trousers, boots, or other articles of apparel, except as will be noted.
  • the glove structure 50 is formed in the conventional shape of a fingered glove.
  • a first conductive layer 52 of an electrically conductive elastomeric material which faces outwardly.
  • the first conductive layer 52 overlies a first insulative layer 54 of an electrically insulative elastomeric material.
  • the first insulative layer 54 overlies a second conductive layer 56 of an electrically conductive elastomeric material. Electrical connections are made to a connection means, here illustrated as a connector 60, formed into the wrist area of the glove structure 50.
  • the integrity of the barrier provided by the glove structure 50 is monitored by measuring the electrical resistance, capacitance, impedance, or other electrical property relative to the conductive layers 52 and 56.
  • the resistance and capacitance between the layers 52 and 56 is high. If a breach 62 were to occur, as shown in Figure 4a, and the breach fills with a conductive fluid such as perspiration of the user, blood, water, etc., the resistance, capacitance, and impedance measured between the layers 52 and 56 will be reduced, and this change in electrical properties is measured by the electrical circuitry 35. Measurements can also be made between the conductive layer 56 and the skin of the user, to monitor for a breach 62' in the layer 58.
  • the glove structure of Figure 3a has four layers.
  • the glove must be physically thinner in order to permit increased tactility and flexibility for the user, or thicker to provide increased protection to the user.
  • a heart surgeon may require a very thin glove with high tactility, while an orthopedic surgeon, emergency medical technician, or handler of hazardous waste may prefer to use a thicker glove.
  • the cost of the gloves may also be a consideration, inasmuch as additional layers involve additional costs of manufacture.
  • the present invention permits a wide range of glove thicknesses and capabilities. The following discussion relates to apparel with fewer layers and reduced thickness. More or thicker layers can be used in the event that a thicker article is required or desired.
  • Figures 3b and 4b illustrate a thinner three-layer construction.
  • the structure is thinner due to the omission of the second insulative layer 58 (that was shown in Figure 4a). Electrical measurements are still made between the conductive layers 52 and 56, or between the layer 52 and the skin of the user.
  • Figures 3c and 4c illustrate a yet-thinner glove, obtained by omitting the second conductive layer 56 (that was shown in Figures 4a and 4b).
  • the glove structure 50 itself has only one conductive layer 52.
  • a second electrical measurement point is obtained by making electrical contact to the skin of the person wearing the glove, as, for example, with a chain worn around the neck of the person, with a band worn on the wrist, or with an adhesive electrical contact of the type used in electrocardiograph measurements.
  • a breach of the insulative layer 54 is sensed by a change in the monitored electrical properties.
  • the structure of Figure 3a is preferred where the tactility requirements of the application permit its use.
  • the structure of Figure 3a allows the breach 62 to be monitored, detected, and signalled prior to formation of any breach 62' in the second insulative layer 58.
  • the person wearing the glove and the patient remain protected.
  • the embodiment of Figure 4b has the layer 56 to protect the person wearing the glove and the patient in the event of a breach of the layer 54.
  • the structure of Figured 4c gives less protection in the event of a breach, but it may be desirably used when the person using the gloves requires a maximum of tactility.
  • Figures 4d and 4e illustrate in sectional view two further embodiments that may be useful in some situations, but which are not illustrated with a corresponding view in Figure 3.
  • a further third insulating layer 64 is added over the structure of Figure 4a, to insulate the patient from any electrical contact to the glove.
  • a structure such as that of Figure 4e could be used in gloves where great tactility is not required, such as for orthopedic applications. It also would typically be used in other articles of clothing where tactility is not necessary but additional strength is desired, such as a gown, trousers, or boots.
  • the elastomer used in the layers 54, 58 and 64 is any elastomer that may be formed into a glove, preferably by the process of dip forming.
  • dip forming a form in the required shape, such as that of a hand, is dipped into a pool of the liquid elastomer. The form is withdrawn from the pool, with a film of the elastomer adhering to the surface of the form. The film is cured, leaving a thin coating of the elastomer on the surface of the form. Another film can be deposited by repeating the procedure after the first coating has cured.
  • Many elastomer gloves are made by dip forming, and the process and elastomer compositions are generally well known.
  • the layers 54, 58, and 64 are preferably the same elastomer, but could be different elastomers.
  • Natural latex is the preferred elastomer, but synthetic elastomers such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) block copolymers could be used. See, for example, US Patent 5,112,900.
  • the electrically conductive, deformable layers 52 and 56 are preferably made of a filled elastomer applied by dip forming. A bath of liquid elastomer with electrically conductive particles mixed therein is prepared. See, for example, US Patents 4,678,601, 4,765,930 and 4,971,071.
  • the elastomer may be any elastomer, such as the same elastomer used for the layers 14 and 18, or a different elastomer.
  • the electrically conductive particles may be any electrically conductive particles, but are preferably carbon particles. Electrically conductive polymers may be used.
  • the electrically conductive particles are mixed into the bath of elastomer to a volume fraction of about 50-80 percent of the total of particles and elastomer, and are kept in uniform suspension by slowly stirring the bath mixture during the dip forming operation.
  • an electrically conductive elastomer such as a polyaniline or polyacetylene copolymer could be used for forming a conductive layer.
  • each dip produces a coating about 0.001 inch thick. This coating thickness applied per dip can be varied by changing the viscosity of the pool of liquid elastomer, but 0.001 inch thickness applied per dip is conventional in the art
  • the layers can be built up in thickness by repeating the dipping operation.
  • a "layer" is the result of single or multiple dips producing the same type of material (i.e., either conducting or nonconducting material).
  • the electrically conductive layers are applied to the required thickness by single or multiple dips into a pool of the liquid-filled elastomer, again curing between each dip.
  • the deposition of electrically conductive and electrically insulative layers is alternated to produce the types of structures shown in Figures 4a-4e, it being understood that each such layer may require multiple dips and cures in the manner discussed.
  • the conductive layers may be intentionally structured to cover only a fraction of the surface of the glove, by masking or partial dipping techniques.
  • each layer is provided, or pairs of layers are provided, as a separate article that can be worn.
  • a first glove made of insulative material is worn next to the skin of the user.
  • a second glove made of a deformable, electrically conductive material is worn ova * the first glove.
  • the required electrical connection is made to the second glove.
  • the approach can be extended to additional glove layers, in an alternating conductive/insulative fashion.
  • a glove with an insulating inner layer and a conductive outer layer is donned first, followed by a second nonconductive glove on top of the first glove.
  • the use of multiple elastomeric, nonconductive gloves is known, and this approach (modified such that one or more of the gloves is conductive) could therefore be comfortably adopted by some users.
  • a modification of this technique involves a manufacturing operation wherein the various conductive and insulative gloves are first individually fabricated, placed onto a form in the desired order, and joined together to make an integral unit.
  • the joining can be accomplished by sewing, thermal spot welding, adhesive, or other technique.
  • the joining of the layered, individually fabricated gloves together to form a single unit provides convenience for the user and permits the addition to the unit of an integral wristband, a connector structure, or the like.
  • the joining also prevents the various layers from slipping relative to each other during service.
  • the conductive layer may consist of a conductive viscous liquid, a gel, or a powder.
  • a modification of this technique involves the use of liquid or gel-like conductive layers, preferably of a viscous nature, or of layers of solids consisting of conductive powders.
  • the liquid, gel, or powder layers can be applied when donning the glove(s), as by dipping the gloved hand into the conductive material before donning the next insulative glove.
  • the liquid, gel, or powder can be pre-applied to the inner or outer surface of the glove(s) by the manufacturer.
  • an elastomer glove is fabricated and placed onto a form.
  • An electrically conductive solid/liquid suspension or liquid/liquid emulsion, gel, solution, or mixture is applied to one surface of the insulative layer.
  • Such a material can be prepared by mixing a conductive paniculate such as a metal powder, carbon powder, electrolyte, or other electrically conductive material into an artificial or natural elastomer to form a flowable liquid.
  • a fugitive solvent can also be used to adjust the viscosity of the liquid.
  • This conductive liquid is applied to the inner or outer surface of the insulative glove by painting, dipping, spraying, or other operable technique.
  • the conductive material may dry or cure to a solid, or it may remain a viscous liquid, desirably with some degree of tackiness.
  • the conductive material can be supplied as a powder to the surface of the insulative glove. In either case, another insulative glove is applied overlying the conductive layer, and bonded to the underlying structure in the manner discussed. The process of drying or curing of the conductive layer may desirably result in bonding of the adjacent layers to each other.
  • a glove of conventional insulative elastomer is prepared, and conductive material is introduced into the glove structure.
  • the insulative glove is soaked in, or pressure treated with, a solution or suspension that contains an electrically conductive material, such that the conductive material penetrates into the surface layers of the insulative glove.
  • a sufficient amount of the conductive material has penetrated, the surface portion of the glove becomes conductive. This process works particularly well with latex elastomer gloves, due to the porous nature of the latex membrane.
  • a leaching approach can also be used.
  • a glove or other article is formed entirely of an electrically conductive material such as a metal-impregnated elastomer.
  • the glove is placed into a solution that leaches away a portion of the material from the surface regions of the glove, producing a final glove structure that has a conductive core and a nonconductive surface region or regions depending upon whether leaching is performed on one surface or both the inner and the outer surfaces of the glove.
  • conductive particles of an appropriate size are used, as for example particles having a diameter of about one to about five micrometers, the resulting porous nonconductive layers will resemble the porous structure of common latex membranes.
  • the pores can be filled after the leaching process with a nonconductive elastomer or, alternatively, the surface (walls) of the pores can be coated with hydrophobic molecules such as a silicone compound in order to prevent or retard fluid saturation of the surface nonconductive layer(s) during the use of the gloves. Fluid saturation of gloves is a common occurrence when gloves are used in procedures wherein they are in frequent or constant contact with fluids.
  • the latter two processes e.g., soaking and leaching, respectively, are used to generate extremely thin multilayered structures of alternating conductive and nonconductive layers.
  • the thickness of the conductive and nonconductive layers are precisely controlled by the choice of materials and the time, temperature, and pressure applied during the soaking and/or leaching processes.
  • Figures 3a-3c depict a glove structure wherein the electrically conductive layers extend over the entire extent of the glove.
  • Figures 5a and 5b show another type of glove structure 70 wherein the conductive layers do not extend over the entire extent of the glove.
  • the glove structure 70 can use any of the multilayer designs discussed previously, but preferably uses a two-layer or three-layer design. If increased tactility is required in the fingertips and other surfaces of the glove that contact the patient, the glove structure 70 may be made thinner in those regions by omitting the conductive layers that would otherwise extend into those regions.
  • the shaded regions indicate the portions of the glove structure 70 where a conductive layer 72 is provided.
  • the unshaded regions 74 indicate those portions of the glove structure 70 where only a thin, nonconductive layer is provided.
  • the electrically conductive layers 52, 56, and 64 are preferably formed of elastomers that are filled with conductive particles or are themselves electrically conductive.
  • An alternative approach to achieving electrical conductivity of the layers is shown in the glove structures 80 of Figures 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d.
  • This glove structure can use any of the multilayer designs discussed previously or other design with a plurality of alternating conductive and nonconductive layers.
  • electrical conductivity within the layers 52, 56, or 64 is achieved by embedding a plurality of electrically conductive filaments 82 within the layers that are required to be electrically conductive. A breach can be monitored by measuring electrical properties across an insulating layer in the manner discussed previously.
  • the conductive filaments 82 and their associated structure are formed into a double Z-fold arrangement as shown in Figure 6d.
  • the filaments are positioned into regions that can be extended relative to each other in a first direction in a plane. Within the regions the filaments are folded into a Z-pattern to permit extension in the orthogonal planar direction.
  • the double Z-fold structure thus allows the article of clothing to flex and extend in the manner of a conventional elastomeric material.
  • the electrically conductive layers discussed above are passive in the sense that they act only as electrical conductors, and a voltage is impressed upon them from an external source in the circuit 35.
  • the electrically conductive layers can be made of an active material such as a deformable piezoelectric material which itself generates a voltage when deformed.
  • a voltage is developed by the piezoelectric material of the layer, which voltage is conducted throughout the layer. The effect is the same as if a voltage were applied externally to a passive electrically conductive layer. Electrical properties between the electrically conductive layers are monitored in the conventional manner, and breaches are sensed by changes in those properties.
  • This approach has the advantage that no external electrical voltage source is required, but has the disadvantage that the properties of the article are limited by the properties of the available piezoelectric materials.
  • the person 20 wears the electrical circuitry 35 that is required to perform the integrity monitoring of the glove or gown.
  • the circuitry 35 is worn on a necklace about the neck and electrical connections, as by wires, wires to the individual articles of apparel are made.
  • the circuitry for the gloves may also be provided in one or more wrist bands, so that long lead wires are not required.
  • the bands 36, 38 may be either separate from the respective glove 22, 24, or molded into a bead formed at or immediately adjacent to the top end of the respective glove 22, 24 for strength and thence integral with the glove.
  • the electrical circuitry could be provided in a small package molded to the glove, or otherwise provided on or adjacent to the glove.
  • the electrical circuitry 35 be mounted in a respective wrist band that is separate from the glove, yet permits a reliable electrical contact to be made to the appropriate layer or layers of the glove and/or the skin of the wearer.
  • the electrical circuitry 35 may be readily produced in a size suitable for this type of mounting. As shown in the embodiment of Figures 10a and 10b, the electrical circuitry is mounted to the band 36, 38.
  • the mode of estabhshing electrical contact to the glove 22, 24 and the wearer depends upon the particular embodiment of glove chosen.
  • the electrical circuitry 35 is packaged in a thin container 120 comparable in size to a wristwatch element, see Figures 10a and 10b.
  • a first contact 122 (here shown as a pair of contacts 122a and 122b) extending outwardly from the container 120 makes contact with the underside of the conductive layer 52 at the connector region 60.
  • the use of these two contacts 122a and 122b provides the additional advantage that the existence of a conductive contact to the conductive layer 52 can be confirmed periodically by measuring the continuity between contacts 122a and 122b through the layer 52.
  • a second contact 124 extending inwardly from the container 120 contacts the surface of the skin of the wearer. The required electrical contact is made such that the electrical circuitry 35 can measure for a breach in the glove in the manner discussed previously.
  • the contacts can have flat surfaces to make a surface contact with the conductive layer or the skin, as shown for contacts 122b and 124.
  • the upwardly facing contacts 122 could also have pointed or serrated surfaces, as shown for contact 122a, to accomplish a firm, nonslipping engagement with the conductive layer.
  • the user of the glove 10 wears each wrist watch-like band 36, 38 containing electrical circuitry on the wrist adjacent to the glove 22, 24.
  • the circuitry in either case is similar, and will be described here for the case of the embodiment of Figures 2a and 2b.
  • the electronic circuit 35 is contained within the band 36, 38.
  • a lead 90 extends from the circuit 35 to the connector 60.
  • An external lead extends from the connector 60 to an external alarm or other warning device (not shown), which signals the person 20 in the event of a breach in the barrier integrity.
  • the warning device such as a buzzer
  • the mode of connection can also be used, in conjunction with appropriate logic circuitry in the circuit 35, to sense automatically the type of article of apparel (e.g., two-layer, three-layer, etc.) and whether it is properly connected, and to determine whether the system is initially within operating limits and ready for use.
  • the structure and or position of the connector can be varied for the different types of articles.
  • the connector for a two-layer system could be at the left side of the wrist of the glove, the connector for a three-layer system at the center of the wrist, and the connector for a four-layer system at the right side of the wrist Corresponding connector locations would be provided on the wrist band. Connection would be made only to the connector of the particular type of article being used.
  • the electronic circuitry 35 would determine whether the article was within its nominal operating parameters. The resistance, capacitance, or impedance of the article would be measured, and compared to a standard range of acceptable values stored in the circuitry 35. If the measured values are within the nominal acceptable range, in-service operation could commence. Otherwise, a warning would be provided that the system is not ready.
  • Figures 7a, 7b, and 7c illustrate the manner of identifying the location and type of a breach in the barrier integrity. Where individual wrist bands 36 and 38 are used, an individual alarm for each glove can be provided.
  • the signals are provided from the conductive layers of the gloves 22 and 24 (or single conductive layer and skin, in Figure 7c) to the electronic circuitry 35.
  • Other but similar signals from the gown 26 or other individual monitored articles e.g., boots for the case of a person who must walk in a contaminated area
  • the circuitry 35 are provided to the circuitry 35.
  • the electronic circuitry monitors each article separately, either with separate circuits or in a multiplexed manner.
  • the more layers provided in the article structure the more information that can be determined about the location and type of the breach.
  • monitoring of the signals between the conductive layers 52 and 56 permits the determination of a breach through the layer 54.
  • the signals between the conductive layer 54 and the skin of the person permits the determination of whether the breach has reached through the layer 58 to the skin of the person.
  • a breach 62 through only the layer 54 would be viewed as a non-critical breach and would be interpreted as a warning of a potential critical breach, and might cause the wearer to change gloves before a critical breach could occur.
  • a breach 62/62' that extended through the layers 54 and 58 would, in many cases, be interpreted as a critical breach that would require an interruption in the procedure being performed so that the person could exchange the damaged glove for an undamaged glove and take any action required to treat the results of the breach.
  • the breach 62/62' can be sensed as a binary state— either breach or no breach— or it can be sensed and analyzed as a variable quantity.
  • the logic within the circuit 35 measures and stores the values of the monitored electrical property, such as resistivity, impedance, or capacitance.
  • the change or rate of change with time of the monitored property indicates the onset of a failure and can be used to deduce the type of failure. For example, a slow change in the monitored property indicates a gradual, typically predictable, deterioration in the article such as fluid penetration. From this information the expected subsequent useful life of the article is predicted, and the user can act accordingly.
  • a rapid change in the monitored property signals a tear, puncture, or the like, to which the user must direct attention immediately.
  • the electronic circuitry 35 may be of any type that permits the monitoring of electrical changes relative to the layers (or skin) being monitored and provides logical capability to the extent required. Two preferred types of such circuitry are illustrated in Figure 8 and 9.
  • a detection circuit 102 is connected to the conductive layers of an article 104.
  • Such circuits 102 are available commercially, an example being a National Semiconductor Model LM 1830. The sensing of a sufficiently large decrease in capacitance triggers an LED signalling lamp 106.
  • a voltage 112 is applied across the conductive layers. If a breach 62 occurs, a current flows between the layers 52 and 56. The current is measured by a meter 114, which activates an alarm, in this case a buzzer 116.
  • the present invention provides a system that monitors the barrier integrity of a glove or other article of apparel. A breach in the integrity is detected, and the wearer of the glove or other article is automatically warned of the breach.
  • This approach may be used for other articles of apparel, and may be used in conjunction with other advances in the art such as improvements in elastomer formulation or conducting layer formulation.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système pour surveiller une perforation dans un gant (22, 24) ou dans un autre article vestimentaire porté par l'utilisateur (20). L'article a une structure à couches multiples avec une première couche d'élastomère (58) et une couche déformable (56) conductrice d'électricité placée sur la première couche d'élastomère (58). Il y a un circuit (35), de préférence placé dans un bracelet du type bracelet de montre (36, 38) sur le poignet de l'utilisateur ou dans un collier (34) porté autour du cou de l'utilisateur, pour détecter un flux de charges électriques entre la couche déformable (56) conductrice d'électricité et soit le corps de l'utilisateur (20) soit une autre couche conductrice d'électricité (54) de l'article vestimentaire. L'invention concerne également la réalisation de couches conductrices et de couches non conductrices alternées dans l'article et la mesure du flux de charges entre n'importe quelle paire de couches conductrices d'électricité. Dans une forme d'exécution préférée, l'article vestimentaire est un gant ou une blouse.
PCT/US1995/008979 1994-08-01 1995-08-01 Systeme pour surveiller l'integrite de la protection assuree par un vetement WO1996004546A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US28439594A 1994-08-01 1994-08-01
US08/284,395 1994-08-01

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013045005A1 (fr) * 2011-09-29 2013-04-04 Audi Ag Gant de sauvetage électriquement isolant et système de protection comportant un tel gant de sauvetage
CN106859771A (zh) * 2017-02-28 2017-06-20 锦州医科大学 一种具有防破损预警功能的手术手套
CN113288159A (zh) * 2021-05-27 2021-08-24 中国人民解放军总医院第二医学中心 一种心电采集系统、采集方法及心电采集系统的制备方法
GB2615162A (en) * 2021-12-06 2023-08-02 Advanced Risc Mach Ltd Integrity monitoring for flexible material

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US5201327A (en) * 1989-07-14 1993-04-13 Charles Mutterperl Electrically conductive covering for a human body part

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US3315519A (en) * 1964-04-13 1967-04-25 American Sterilizer Co Surgical glove leak tester
US4205672A (en) * 1977-11-28 1980-06-03 Karel Dvorak Conductivity sensing device for diapers
US4206631A (en) * 1978-06-02 1980-06-10 Batavian Rubber Company Limited Inflatable product testing
US4321925A (en) * 1978-11-09 1982-03-30 Molnlycke Ab Method and a device for controlling the occurrence of perforations in operation gloves
US4583039A (en) * 1984-06-14 1986-04-15 Nestor Kolcio Electrical testing device for insulating gloves
US4754264A (en) * 1985-06-03 1988-06-28 Nippon Kodoshi Corporation Water content detecting device for diaper
US4692748A (en) * 1986-07-18 1987-09-08 Pinsak George F Apparatus for deterring thumbsucking
US4799384A (en) * 1986-12-01 1989-01-24 Gianpaolo Casali Bootie testing machine
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US4810971A (en) * 1987-10-08 1989-03-07 Marable Emmitte F Apparatus for dielectric testing of gloves
US4909069A (en) * 1987-11-27 1990-03-20 Utah Medical Products, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in rubber gloves and the like
US4910803A (en) * 1987-12-02 1990-03-27 Cukier Daniel S Apparel having a breach indicator
US4956635A (en) * 1989-04-14 1990-09-11 Langdon Robert S Method and apparatus for testing personal barriers
US4971071A (en) * 1989-07-14 1990-11-20 Stanley Hochfeld Conductive condom
US5201327A (en) * 1989-07-14 1993-04-13 Charles Mutterperl Electrically conductive covering for a human body part
US5114425A (en) * 1990-05-25 1992-05-19 Novatec Medical Products, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting actual or likely adulteration of critical use gloves
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Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013045005A1 (fr) * 2011-09-29 2013-04-04 Audi Ag Gant de sauvetage électriquement isolant et système de protection comportant un tel gant de sauvetage
CN106859771A (zh) * 2017-02-28 2017-06-20 锦州医科大学 一种具有防破损预警功能的手术手套
CN113288159A (zh) * 2021-05-27 2021-08-24 中国人民解放军总医院第二医学中心 一种心电采集系统、采集方法及心电采集系统的制备方法
WO2022246947A1 (fr) * 2021-05-27 2022-12-01 中国人民解放军总医院第二医学中心 Système et procédé de collecte d'électrocardiogramme, et procédé de préparation pour système de collecte d'électrocardiogramme
GB2615162A (en) * 2021-12-06 2023-08-02 Advanced Risc Mach Ltd Integrity monitoring for flexible material
GB2615162B (en) * 2021-12-06 2024-01-31 Advanced Risc Mach Ltd Integrity monitoring for flexible material

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