Patent ID: 6145130
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
For a puncture evident surgical glove having outer and inner glove layers that are separated from one another by a space and a vacuum established within said space, a visual indicator by which to provide an indication that the structural integrity of the surgical glove has been compromised as a consequence of a puncture or tear through at least the outer glove layer, said visual indicator comprising:a hollow flexible indicator body having a closed top and an open bottom, at least one rigid plate fixedly connected to and extending across the open bottom of said indicator body to close said open bottom and prevent a gross distortion of said flexible indicator body when said indicator body is compressed, and at least one air passageway through which said indicator body communicates with the space between the outer and inner glove layers, said indicator body being compressed to an air evacuated condition when the structural integrity of the surgical glove is not compromised and the vacuum is established within the space, and said indicator body being inflated with air from the atmosphere to an expanded condition via said air passageway in the event that the structural integrity of the surgical glove is compromised and the space between the outer and inner glove layers is filled with air suctioned from the atmosphere.