Ann T Peterson

US Patent:

57065209, Jan 13, 1998

Filed:

Aug 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/515499

Inventors:

Bonnie Crocetti Thornton - Olney MD
Ann Peterson - Rockville MD
Mary Allen - Columbia MD
Barbara Fahey - Gaithersburg MD
Myra Woolery-Antill - Baltimore MD
Jerry B. Taylor - Ashburn Farms VA
Vera Wheeler - San Diego CA
Peggy Coleman - Vienna VA
Shirley M. Kedrowski - Palo Alto CA
Lisa Ann Jeanneret - Herndon VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health
and Human Services - Washington DC

International Classification:

A41D 1310

US Classification:

2 21

Abstract:

A hand puncture protector (10) including a pivoting shell which covers susceptible areas on the back and sides of the wearer's thumb (53), index finger (52) and thenar web space to reduce the risk of injury or infection from accidental punctures from needles and other sharp instruments ("SHARPS"). The pivoting shell is formed of a SHARP impervious material, such as thermoplastic, and has separate thumb (11) and index finger (12) components which are preferably fastened together by a single rivet (30) placed above the thenar web space region. VELCRO straps (20, 21) are affixed to the thumb and index finger regions of the molded shell at about the interphalange joint of the thumb and middle phalanx of the index finger to secure the hand protector to the user's hand. A method of protecting health care professionals from injury or infection by accidental punctures is also disclosed.