Surgical glove tape

A surgical glove tape comprises an elongate strip of material, an adhesive, and a release liner. In particular, the elongate strip of material is comprised of a combination of cotton and spandex. The elongate strip of material has a first major surface and a second major surface. Moreover, the elongate strip of material is further characterized by a tab section extending from a first end of the elongate strip of material, and a taping section extending from the tab section. The adhesive coats the second major surface of the elongate strip of material within the taping section of the elongate strip of material. The release liner overlies the adhesive.

BACKGROUND

Various aspects of the present invention relate generally to the donning and securement of surgical gloves.

Surgeons are often called upon to perform surgeries where exposure to contamination can create unintended medical complications. For instance, surgeons use aseptic techniques to prevent the contamination of open surgical wounds by isolating the operative site from a surrounding non-sterile environment. In addition to protecting the patient from unintended complications, surgeons and others in an operative site must protect themselves from disease and other harmful effects that result from contact with bodily fluid of the patient undergoing the medical procedure. In this regard, surgeons and others in the operative site often wear sterilized surgical gowns, masks and gloves.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to aspects of the present disclosure herein, a surgical glove tape is provided. The surgical glove tape comprises an elongate strip of sterilized material, an adhesive, and a release liner. In particular, the elongate strip of material is comprised of a combination of cotton and spandex. The elongate strip of material has a first major surface and a second major surface. Moreover, the elongate strip of material is further characterized by a tab section extending from a first end of the elongate strip of material, and a taping section extending from the tab section. The adhesive coats the second major surface of the elongate strip of material within the taping section of the elongate strip of material. The release liner overlies the adhesive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Cuffs at wrists of a conventional surgical gown are considered unsterile. If a surgical glove does not cover the cuffs, contamination may occur at an operative site. Here, contamination may occur from the inside-out (i.e., from the surgeon to the environment) or from the outside-in (i.e., from the environment to the surgeon). As such, sterile surgical gloves are typically pulled over the cuff and up the sleeve of the surgical gown. Unfortunately, the conventional surgical glove can roll down the sleeve of the surgeon.

However, according to aspects of the present disclosure herein, a disposable sterile adhesive strip is provided, which is used to retain a surgical glove from rolling down a sleeve of a surgical gown during a surgical procedure.

Referring to drawings and in particular toFIG. 1, a surgical glove tape10is illustrated. In general, the surgical glove tape10includes an elongate strip of material12that defines the tape body. The elongate strip of material12includes a first major surface (e.g., a top side as illustrated inFIG. 1) and a second major surface (e.g., a bottom surface, described with reference toFIG. 2). Moreover, the elongate strip of material12is further characterized by a tab section12A extending from a first end of the elongate strip of material12, and a taping section12B extending from the tab section12A. The tab section12A and the taping section12B are described in greater detail herein. In alternative embodiments, there may be a tab section12A on each end of the elongate strip of material12thus bookending the taping section12B, as will be described with reference to the embodiments inFIG. 3andFIG. 5.

In an example implementation, the elongate strip of material12is a sterile cloth comprised of a combination of cotton and spandex (i.e., polyester-polyurethane copolymer), e.g., 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The elongate strip of material12may be sterilized, for instance, using Ethylene Oxide. Moreover, the elongate strip of material12may have dimensions suitable to tape a surgical glove to a surgical gown. For instance, a working example has a length of 30 centimeters and a width of 6 centimeters. However, other lengths and widths may be utilized. Moreover, the elongate strip of material12is preferably resistant to surface wetting. For instance, it may be sufficient for the elongate strip of material12to achieve a spray rating of a level 2 (wetting of half of the sprayed surface, e.g., usually through the merging of small discrete wetting areas) to a level 3 (wetting of the sprayed surface only at small discrete areas) when evaluated according to the EN 24920:1992 ISO 4920:1981 standard.

Referring toFIG. 2, a schematic side view of the surgical glove tape10is illustrated according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, an adhesive14coats the second major surface of the elongate strip of material12within the taping section12B of the elongate strip of material12. However, no adhesive14is applied within the tab section12A of the elongate strip of material12. For instance, the adhesive14may be applied over the entire area of the second major surface of the elongate strip of material12within the taping section12B. In other examples, the adhesive14is applied to less than the entirety of the taping section12B, e.g., by applying the adhesive14in a pattern. In a working example, the adhesive is a latex-free, acrylic acid composition. However, other compositions may alternatively be used.

Also as shown, a release liner16is positioned so as to overlie the adhesive14. In more specific examples, the release liner16extends past the edge of the adhesive14so as to overlie the entirety of the elongate strip of material12. In further examples, the release liner16may extend past one or more of the edges of the elongate strip of material12. For instance, the release liner16may extend past the end edges of the elongate strip of material12.

In the example implementation ofFIG. 2, there is no adhesive14over the tab section12A of the elongate strip of material12. This facilitates easy peeling of the release liner from the elongate strip of material12. More particularly, this arrangement makes it easy to wield the surgical glove tape10so as to grasp the release liner16separately from the elongate strip of material12while wearing gloves.

In this regard, the dimensions of the tab section12A may vary depending upon the properties of the adhesive14and the dimensions of the release liner16relative to the elongate strip of material12.

Referring toFIG. 3, the surgical glove tape10is identical to that set out with regard toFIG. 2, except that in this implementation, there is a tab section12A on both the right end and the left end of the elongate strip of material12. In this illustrative implementation, adhesive14is provided generally in the central portion of the strip, extending out towards, but stopping just shy of the ends of the elongate strip of material12, leaving a first end region of the elongate strip of material12(i.e., a first tab section12A) and a second end region of the elongate strip of material12(i.e., a second tab section12A), which are free of adhesive14.

Thus, a tab section12A (first tab section) extends from a first end of the elongate strip of material and a tab section12A (second tab section) extends from a second end of the elongate strip of material opposite of the first end so that the taping section lies between the tab sections12A. Here, the adhesive14does not extend to either end of the elongate strip of material12.

As with the example ofFIG. 2, the release liner16may be larger in one or more dimensions compared to the elongate strip of material12. However, this need not be the case, so long as the release liner16covers the adhesive14. The configuration ofFIG. 3allows the surgeon to easily peel either end of the elongate strip of material12from the release liner16, regardless of direction that the surgical glove tape10is picked up.

Referring toFIG. 4, in another working example, the tab section12A of the elongate strip of material12may be covered with an adhesive18. The adhesive18may be the same composition or a different composition of the adhesive14. Moreover, there may be a small gap between the adhesive within the tab section12A and the taping section12B. Alternatively, the adhesive may be continuous, e.g., covering the entirety of the elongate strip of material12. In this implementation, the designation of adhesive18is to indicate that portion of the adhesive over the tab section12A compared to the adhesive14over the taping section12B.

A tab strip20covers the adhesive18. For instance, the tab strip20may overlie the entirety (or a portion) of the tab section12A. In this regard, the tab strip20is not sticky and prevents the adhesive18from coming in contact with a person. In this example, the tab strip20may be the same material as the material12. The tab strip20may be the same material as the release liner16, e.g., a film liner. For instance, the tab strip20may be separate from the release liner16, or is otherwise easily separable from the release liner16, e.g., via perforations, slits, tear lines, etc. Alternatively, the tab strip20may be a different material, e.g., a non-release material. In this implementation, the release liner16may extend over the tab strip20. Also, as with the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 3, the release liner16may extend beyond one or more of the edges of the elongate strip of material12.

In illustrative implementations, the tab strip20is not intended to separate from the adhesive18. Rather, the tab is intended to provide an easy way for the surgeon to wield the surgical glove tape10while wearing surgical gloves by making it easy to separate the release liner16from the elongate strip of material12about an end thereof, e.g., without coming in contact with the adhesive14.

Referring toFIG. 5, the illustrated embodiment is identical to that illustrated with regard toFIG. 4, except that there is a tab section12A, and corresponding adhesive18and tab strip20on each end of the elongate strip of material12. Analogous to the embodiment ofFIG. 3, this configuration allows the surgeon to easily peel either end of the elongate strip of material12from the release liner16, regardless of direction that the surgical glove tape10is picked up.

Thus, for instance, a tab section12A (first tab section) extends from a first end of the elongate strip of material12and tab section12A (second tab section) extends from a second end of the elongate strip of material12opposite of the first end so that the taping section12B lies between the tab sections12A. A coating of adhesive18covers each tab section12A on the second major surface of the elongate strip of material12. Moreover, a first tab strip20covers the adhesive18over a first one of the tab sections12A and a second tab strip20covers the adhesive18over a second one of the tab sections12A. Here, each tab strip20may be derived from the release liner material, e.g., so as to be separable from the release liner16over the taping section12B (e.g., where the tab strip is release liner material). Alternatively, each tab strip20may be distinct and separate from the release liner16over the taping section12B. In this implementation, the release liner16may overlie the tab strips20.

Referring toFIG. 6, an illustration shows the surgical glove tape10being used to secure a surgical glove30to a surgical gown40. When a surgeon is preparing for surgery, the surgeon may don surgical gloves30and a gown40. To secure the gloves30to the sleeves of the gown40, the surgeon places a finger between the release liner16and the elongate strip of material12at the tab section12A. For instance, the surgeon may grasp the surface of the release liner16between a finger and a thumb of a first hand. With the other hand, the surgeon can grasp the elongate strip of material12within the tab section12A and peel the release liner16back exposing adhesive14. Because there is no adhesive in the tab section (FIG. 2orFIG. 3) or the adhesive is covered by a tab (FIG. 4orFIG. 5), the surgical glove tape10does not stick to the surgeon's gloves or fingers. The surgeon then peels back a portion of the release liner exposing a portion of the adhesive14. The surgical glove tape10may then be applied between the surgical glove30and sleeve of the surgical gown40. The surgical glove tape10is then wrapped around the surgical glove30as the release liner16is peeled from the elongate strip of material12.

Once a portion of the adhesive14is exposed, the surgeon presses the exposed portion over the interface between the surgical glove30and the sleeve of the surgical gown40. Then, the surgeon can remove the remainder of the release liner16from the elongate strip of material12while simultaneously wrapping the surgical glove tape10around the interface between the glove30and the gown40. After the elongate strip of material12has been wrapped entirely around the interface, the surgeon may apply pressure to ensure the surgical glove tape10is properly adhered to the glove30and gown40.

In use, constant compression of the surgical glove tape10is not required. Moreover, stretching and pulling of the surgical glove tape10is not required to properly secure a surgical glove30to a sleeve of a surgical gown40. In this regard, pulling and stretching is not recommended. This allows the surgeon to move more freely because the surgical glove tape10is not pulled tightly against the arm of the surgeon.

With reference toFIGS. 1-3 and 6, a method of securing a surgical glove to a surgical gown, comprises donning a surgical gown having sleeves, and donning a surgical glove. The method also comprises grasping a strip of surgical glove tape. The surgical glove tape is analogous to that set out with regard toFIGS. 1-3, and 6. In particular, the surgical glove tape has an elongate strip of material comprised of a combination of cotton and spandex, wherein the elongate strip of material has a first major surface and a second major surface. The elongate strip of material is further characterized by a tab section extending from a first end of the elongate strip of material, and a taping section extending from the tab section. An adhesive coats the second major surface of the elongate strip of material within the taping section of the elongate strip of material, and a release liner overlies the adhesive.

The method further comprises holding the tab section of the surgical glove tape in a hand while peeling back a portion of the release liner with the other hand and applying the surgical glove tape at the intersection between the glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown. The method still further comprises wrapping the surgical glove tape around the intersection between the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown without stretching the elongate strip of material and pressing the surgical glove tape against the intersection of the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown to form a seal therebetween.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 4-5 and 6, a method of securing a surgical glove to a surgical gown comprises donning a surgical gown having sleeves and donning a surgical glove. The method also comprises grasping a strip of surgical glove tape. Here, with particular reference toFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the surgical glove tape has an elongate strip of material comprised of a combination of cotton and spandex, wherein the elongate strip of material has a first major surface and a second major surface. The elongate strip of material is further characterized by a tab section extending from a first end of the elongate strip of material, and a taping section extending from the tab section. Also, an adhesive coats the second major surface of the elongate strip of material within the taping section of the elongate strip of material, and a release liner overlies the adhesive. Still further, a coating of adhesive covers the tab section on the second major surface of the elongate strip of material, and a tab strip covers the adhesive over the tab section, where the tab strip is separate or otherwise separable from the release liner over the taping section.

The method still further comprises peeling the tab from the tab section of the elongate strip of material, and pressing the tab section against the intersection between the surgical glove and a sleeve of the surgical gown. The method also comprises peeling back a portion of the release liner with the other hand, and applying the surgical glove tape at the intersection between the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown. The method then comprises wrapping the surgical glove tape around the intersection between the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown without stretching the elongate strip of material, and pressing the surgical glove tape against the intersection of the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown to form a seal therebetween.

With reference to the FIGURES generally, the adhesive14, adhesive18and combinations thereof, as used herein is not subject to attack by water and bodily fluids that the surgeon commonly encounters when performing surgical procedures. In this regard, the surgical glove tape10herein provides a seal between the sleeve of a surgical gown and a surgical glove that is not broken during an operating procedure. Also, the surgical glove tape10can be applied by the surgeon directly without requiring the assistance of another person. Once the procedure is complete, the surgical glove tape10is unwrapped and disposed of with other waste.

The surgical tape herein eliminates a common problem that can affect the health of the surgeon. When a surgical glove is pulled over the cuff and sleeve of a surgical gown, channeling can occur that can allow bodily fluid from the patient to run under the surgical glove and down to the wrist area of the surgeon. Thus, the channeling effect can potentially allow bodily fluid from the patient to contact the surgeon's skin. However, the surgical tape herein forms a seal around the intersection between the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown that is impervious to fluids, even during extended operations lasting numerous hours.

Moreover, because the surgical glove tape is not stretched, there is no pulling or tugging that would otherwise interfere with the motions of the surgeon, providing not only more comfort, but a more consistent operating environment. However, because of the adhesive, a seal is formed by loose wrapping of the surgical glove tape, and the pressing of the tape against the boundary of the surgical glove and the sleeve of the surgical gown. Once a first glove is properly taped, the process is repeated for the other surgical glove.