WO2002022066A2

WO2002022066A2 - Grasp-impeding article

Info

Publication number: WO2002022066A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/042082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Turner; Deborah Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-12
Filing date: 2001-09-10
Publication date: 2002-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2003-03-12
Also published as: AU2001295027A1; WO2002022066A3

Abstract

Articles for gently impeding certain movements of an individual's hand without obscuring the hand from view. The article (10) is characterized by a grasp-obstructing element (202) dimensioned and arranged to impede manipulation of a human hand into a fist and by a securing element (124, 204) configured to maintain the grasp-obstructing element in a position of engagement with the palm of the hand. The securing element (204, 124) is manipulable into a position that encircles and retains the wrist and/or a finger of a hand to be restrained. The fingers of a restrained hand remain visible and receptive to tactile feedback while the grasp-obstructing element is secured in position over the palm.

Description

GRASP-IMPEDING ARTICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to procedures and devices that limit the ability of an individual to interfere with the course of medical treatment, inflict self-harm, or inflict harm on others.

BACKGROUND ART

It is common for confused or ill health care recipients, as well as newborns and infants, to move in ways that tend to cause harm to themselves. By way of illustrative example, such patients may reach for, grab, and remove intravenous or intra-arterial health care devices used on their bodies to deliver life sustaining medications or nutrients or to perform vital monitoring functions. Moreover, newborns and infants can badly scratch their eyes and faces with their fingernails

An individual may also be afflicted with a medical condition characterized by skin lesions or rashes for which the transient relief afforded by scratching carries with it the risks of permanent scarring or further aggravation of symptoms. Illnesses such as chicken pox and measles, or allergic reactions to the oils of plants like poison ivy and poison oak are several common examples of skin-affecting medical conditions in which the urge to scratch an area can be so overwhelming that an afflicted individual may be unable to resist.

One solution to the aforementioned problems has been to completely restrain the limbs of an individual with straps. This solution is preferred only in extreme cases (e.g., the individual is both capable and likely to cause harm either to himself or herself or to others). Another, less severe solution, is to completely envelope each hand of the individual within a mitt structure. While this mode of restraint does provide the individual with significantly more freedom and flexibility to move than does the use of straps and tie-downs, it is still undesirable for a variety of reasons.

A mitt-type restraint impedes access by health care practitioners when there is a need, for example, to insert or tend to an intravenous device in the individual's hands or to perform a visual and/or tactile check of the individual's circulation or body temperature by checking the color or temperature of the hand. Moreover, a mitt-type restraint also requires a prolonged envelopment of the individual's hand. This unnatural condition is uncomfortable to the individual and also limits his or her ability to make contact with loved ones and to experience tactile sensations using the fingers. Finally, where the goal is merely to prevent an individual from scratching an infected area, rash, or lesion of the skin, even this relatively mild form of restrain is far too excessive to be acceptable to most patients or those charged with their care.

The problem of limiting grasping, scratching and certain other manipulations of the hand is especially acute with newborns and infants requiring specialized neonatal care. It is, of course, natural for newborns and infants to reach for, grasp, and pull on objects that are within reach. As healthcare recipients, infants have a tendency to grasp and dislodge such medical devices within their reach as infusion lines, endo-tracheal tubes, IN. needles, catheter tubes, and lead wires for monitoring equipment that are in contact with their bodies. As with any other patient, the complete or partial withdrawal of any of these devices is disruptive to treatment and imposes unnecessary duties on the attending practitioners who must, for example, immediately investigate any interruption in monitored vital signs.

Outside of the health care field, there are other situations in which an individual may attempt to inflict harm — especially on others — using the hands. For example, it is standard procedure for law enforcement officials to place dangerous persons in manacles ("handcuffs") when they are being taken into custody, transported, or brought into court. Even when wearing handcuffs, however, an individual can still grasp an object such as a gun, knife, or sharp object, or even a law enforcement officer or bystander, with the intention to do bodily harm.

Previous inventions, such as U.S. Patent No. 2,693,794 issued to Nelville, U.S. Patent No. 2,744,526 issued to Saylor, and U.S. Patent No. 4,481,942 issued to Duncan, relate to restraints that can be used to prevent infants from harming themselves. Restraints such as those, however, are both complex and expensive and they do not completely immobilize the infants' arms and can actually increase the likelihood that an infant swinging his or her arms will dislodge a tube or line of an attached health care device.

Other devices, such as those in U.S. Patent No. 3,415,244, U.S. Reissue Patent No. 20,858, U.S. Patent No. 1,984,613; and U.S. Patent No. 3,476,108, completely enclose the hand. While these inventions can be useful for preventing an infant from grasping and removing the tubes or lines of their health care devices, they have the unwanted effect of isolating the infant's hands from the environment - effectively denying to the infant the opportunity to experience tactile stimulation and feedback using Ms or her fingers.

In U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/460,155 filed on December 13, 1999 by the inventors of the present application and entitled "METHOD OF USING INFANT'S GRASP- IMPEDING APPARATUS", there is disclosed an article which limits the ability of an infant to manipulate his or her hand into a fist or otherwise bring the fingers of the hand together in a way which would allow the infant to grasp and remove nearby medical devices. The article disclosed in the application includes a pad element that is maintained in position over the palm of an infant's hand by an attached retaining structure. In the illustrated embodiments, the retaining structure comprises one or two straps which encircle the wrist, the hand and/or a finger. The application does not specify the manner in which the pad element is attached to the retaining structure, though they are said to be "coupled" as during the manufacturing process.

While the article disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/460,155 represents an advance over the prior art as a gentle way of impeding grasping movements and manipulations of the human hand, the two piece coupled structure is difficult and costly to manufacture. As well, there is no suggestion that the palm pad be dimensionally customizable in the field to accommodate different hand sizes and relative proportions. For each of the foregoing reasons, a continuing need exists for an article and method for gently impeding grasping manipulation of an individual's hands — without obscuring the hands from view or isolating them from the surrounding environment — that is both economical to manufacture and sufficiently flexible in its design as to accommodate hands of varying dimensions.

In the law enforcement field, there also exists a need for a structure capable of preventing dangerous criminals or other individuals in custody from grasping sharp object or otherwise using their hands in a way that could allow them to injure others.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned needs are addressed, and an advance is made in the art, by an article characterized by a grasp-obstructing element dimensioned and arranged to impede manipulation of a human hand into a fist and by a securing element configured to maintain the grasp- obstructing element in a position of engagement with the palm of the hand. The securing element is designed to encircle the wrist and/or a finger of the corresponding hand to be restrained, or to directly attach, as- by an adhesive, the grasp-obstructing element directly to the palm. In either case, the fingers of a restrained hand remain visible and receptive to tactile feedback while the grasp-obstructing element is secured in position over the palm.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, both the grasp- obstructing element and securing element(s) are formed, as by stamping or cutting, from a single unitary section of resilient material. To accommodate hands of different dimensions, the article may be adapted to be trimmed prior to a rolling or folding operation during which the grasp- obstructing element is formed. Or the article can be formed in such a way as to permit variations in the way it is rolled or folded so that grasp-obstructing elements of differing depth and/or width can be obtained. To minimize the possibility of an unfavorable reaction with the skin of the individual whose hands are to be protected, the article may be fabricated from one or more sections of hypoallergenic foam.

A method of using an article to gently impede grasping manipulations of an individual's hand without obscuring fingers of the hand from view and to thereby reduce that individual's ability to interfere with medical treatment, inflict self-harm or inflict harm on others is characterized by a step of placing, within the palm of the individual's hand, a grasp-obstructing element dimensioned and arranged to impede manipulation of a human hand into a fist and a step of manipulating a securing element to encircle and retain at least one of the wrist and finger of the individual's' hand, thereby securing the grasp-obstructing element in a position of engagement with the palm of the individual's hand. The placing and manipulating steps are repeated for each hand, with a respective grasp-obstructing element being placed in the palm of each hand and retained there by a corresponding securing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded condition prior to use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, with the article being manipulated into a folded condition suitable for restraining the hand of an individual;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in position on the hand of an individual in a way that limits grasping movements of the hand;

FIG. 4 depicts the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in position on the same hand as shown in FIG. 3 but taken from an opposite perspective therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded condition prior to use;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, with the article being manipulated into a folded condition suitable for impeding grasping manipulation of the hand of an individual;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view depicting the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 in position on the hand of an individual in a way that limits grasping movements of the hand;

FIG. 8 depicts the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 in position on the same hand as shown in FIG. 7 but taken from an opposite perspective therefrom; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded condition prior to use;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 showing the opposite side of the article in an unfolded condition prior to use;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view depicting the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 after manipulation into a folded position ready for use, with the palm-engaging surface of the grasp-obstructing element facing upward;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view depicting the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 after manipulation into a folded position ready for use, with the palm engaging surface of the grasp-obstructing element facing downward;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment being shown in an unfolded configuration;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view depicting the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 after manipulation into a folded position, as it would appear if deployed on a person's hand;

FIGS. 16-19 are perspective views depicting a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view depicting a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention after it has been manipulated into a folded position ready for use, with the palm-engaging surface of the grasp- obstructing element facing upward;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 20 after manipulation into a folded position ready for use, with the palm engaging surface of the grasp- obstructing element facing downward;

FIG. 22 is a perspective- view depicting a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with a seventh illustrative embodiment of the present invention with the grasp- obstructing element being realized as a unitary block and with its palm engaging surface facing upward;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 22 with the palm- engaging surface of the grasp-obstructing element facing downward;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with an eighth illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the present invention, the article including a first elongated portion manipulable by folding or rolling into a pad dimensioned to engage with the palm and, optionally, a contiguous portion of the fingers of an individual's hand, as well as second elongated portion manipulable into a band for encircling the fingers of the hand to thereby secure the grasp-obstructing pad element; and

FIG. 26 is a perspective view depicting the embodiment of FIG. 25 in the final position, as it would be deployed on a hand.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Before proceeding to a detailed discussion of grasp-impeding articles constructed in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted a unifying feature of all the exemplary embodiments is that they each employ a grasp-obstructing element that is retained, by at least one securing element, within the palm of an individual's hand. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the securing element and grasp- obstructing element are formed from a single unitary section of material whereupon they may be folded, rolled or otherwise manipulated to form the finished grasp-impeding structure. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the shape, dimensions and position of the grasp-obstructing element each admit of substantial variation. In certain disclosed embodiments, the grasp-obstructing element comprises a foldable or rollable tab of resilient material that is dimensioned and arranged to extend laterally, when folded or rolled, within the individual's hand. In others, the grasp-obstructing element comprises a block or ball-shaped section of resilient material that fits within the palm of the individual's hand.

While the various embodiments of the present invention are frequently described in the context of the health care field, it should be emphasized that the embodiments of the present invention may find application in any situation where an individual is likely to use his or her hands to cause either self-inflicted -harm or harm to others.

Advantageously, a sub-section of material comprising the grasp-obstructing element may be trimmed prior to rolling or folding so that a grasp-obstructing element of desired depth and width might be obtained to accommodate the specialized needs of a particular patient. Additionally, the unfolded or unrolled elongated portion(s) of the article may be dimensioned so that it/they can be folded or rolled to produce a grasp-obstructing element that overlies not only the palm of an individual' s hand but also a contiguous surface portion of the fingers. Such a configuration may be necessary to effectively impede manipulation of the hand into a grasping or scratching orientation. The manner in which the securing element or elements retain(s) the grasp-obstructing element in registration with the individual's palm and, optionally, the fingers, is also subject to substantial variation. In that regard, two general types of securing elements are deemed to be useful in achieving the objectives of the present invention. A first of these general types is characterized by a projection which extends from the grasp-obstructing element and which defines a through-hole or aperture dimensioned and arranged to receive and retain a finger or wrist of the individual's hand. A second is characterized by at least one folding section of resilient material dimensioned and arranged to wrap around the finger or wrist of the individual's hand. It is contemplated by the inventors herein that various combinations of one or both general types may be combined in a single grasp-impeding article in order to receive and retain both a finger and the wrist of the same hand.

In any event, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, a first illustrative embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention will be shown and described. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, article 10 is formed from a single section of resilient, foldable material and includes a grasp-obstructing element 202 that is formed by folding a first foldable section 102 along fold line 104. This first folding step brings hook and loop fastener section 114 into registration with hook and loop fastener section 108 and thereby retains section 102 in a folded orientation. In a second folding step, a second foldable section 126 is folded along lines 112 and 110 so as to cover first foldable section 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. A second fastener (not shown) retains section 126 in the folded position of FIG. 2 to thereby define grasp-obstructing element 202. In that regard, it should be noted that although hook and loop fasteners are shown and described, any suitable fastener such, for example, as an adhesive or adhesive backed strips of tape, may be employed to maintain the grasp-obstructing element in its folded orientation.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be seen that to maintain grasp- obstructing element 202 in position over the palm 306 of an individual's hand, article 10 further includes both a first securing element 124 and a second securing element 204. First securing element 124 is configured in the form of a projecting tab that defines an aperture 106 dimensioned and arranged to receive and retain finger 304. Second securing element 204 is interconnected to grasp-obstructing element 202 by an intermediate section 122 and is dimensioned and arranged to encircle and retain the individual's wrist 302 when folding sections 118 and 120 are fastened together as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Returning to FIG. 1, it will be seen that folding sections 118 and 120 of second securing element 204 may be maintained in the wrist securing position by a hook and loop fastener of which only loop fastener portion 116 is shown. Another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5-8. Essentially, the construction of article 10a of FIGS. 5- 8 is substantially identical to that of FIGS. 1-4 and differs therefrom only in that the second securing element ~ indicated generally at reference numeral 502 — is configured in the form of a projecting tab having defined therethrough an aperture 504 dimensioned and arranged to receive and retain wrist 302. Accordingly, when the individual's hand is inserted therethrough as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, grasp-obstructing element 202 is maintained in contact with palm 306 of the hand by both first securing element 124 and second securing element 504.

Yet another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9-12. The construction of article 10b of FIGS. 9-12 is substantially similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, but it differs therefrom in that the second securing element is not realized in the form of a folding tab (as securing element 204 of FIGS. 1-4) or a projecting tab having an through aperture (as securing element 502 of FIGS. 5- 8) manipulable to receive and retain the wrist of the hand to be impeded. As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the second securing element is instead realized in the form of an adhesive patch 1002 provided on the palm-engaging surface of grasp-obstructing element 202. In this manner, grasp-obstructing element 202 may be affixed directly to the palm of the hand being impeded. Similarly, and as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 12, the first securing element 124 may include a second adhesive patch 902 for attaching the former to a finger that extends through aperture 106.

Yet another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13-15. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 13-15, article 10c is substantially identical in construction to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and differs therefrom only in that the first securing element ~ indicated generally at reference numeral 124 - - is configured in the form of an elongated projecting tab defining a finger receiving and retaining aperture 106 at its proximal end and a fastener 1402 at its distal end. As best seen in FIG. 15, the length of the elongated projecting tab 124 is selected so that when the second securing member is wrapped around the wrist (not shown) of an individual, and a finger (not shown) is positioned within aperture 106, the distal end of elongated projecting tab 124 is secured by fastener 1402 to folding section 118 of second securing element 204. While projecting tab 124 is in the folded position of FIG. 15, surface 1502 engages with the back surface of the individual's hand and thereby provides even greater assurance against movement of the grasp-obstructing element 202. The arrangement of FIGS. 13-15, which uses what may be described as a three axis anchoring system, has been found by the inventors herein to be characterized by excellent stability and reliability. Still a further embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16-19. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 16-19, article lOd is substantially identical in construction to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 but differs in that the first securing element — indicated generally at reference numeral 1702 (FIG. 17) — is configured in the form of first and second folding sections indicated at 1602 and 1606, respectively. Like folding sections 118 and 120 of second securing element 204, folding sections 1602 and 1606 may be retained in the folding, finger encircling and retaining position depicted in FIGS. 17-19 by a suitable fastener such, for example, as a hook and loop fastener. The loop portion of such a fastener is shown in FIG. 16 and is indicated generally at reference numeral 1608.

Still another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, a single securing element in the form of an adhesive patch 1002 is provided for directly securing grasp-obstructing element 202 directly to the palm (not shown) of a hand to be restrained. As with preceding examples, grasp-obstructing element 202 is formed by folding a section of resilient material as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. In contrast, and as best seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, a modified embodiment of the grasp obstructing element, indicated generally at 2202, may be formed from a unitary block of material.

Yet another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 24. In the embodiment of FIG. 24, the grasp obstructing element 202 has a substantially spherical or ball shape, and the first securing member 124 is configured as a projection from grasp obstructing element 202. The projection defines an aperture 106 that receives and retains a finger of the hand to be impeded. An adhesive strip indicated generally at 2402 may be located along the circumferential surface of grasp obstructing element 202 in order to provide a second means for securing the latter to the palm (not shown) of the hand to be restrained.

FIGS. 24 and 25 depict yet another embodiment of a grasp-impeding article 2500 constructed in accordance with the present invention, the article including a first elongated portion 2502 manipulable into a grasp-obstructing pad 2503 dimensioned to engage with the palm of an individual's hand and a second elongated portion 2504 manipulable into a band 2505 dimensioned to encircle the fingers of the hand. Alternatively elongated portion 2504 may be configured to extend at the opposite side than shown so that band 2505 can be manipulated into a position that encircles the wrist. An especially advantageous aspect of the embodiment of FIGS. 25 and 26 is that a substantial opportunity for customization is afforded to the health care practitioner. Specifically, elongate portion 2502 may be rolled to obtain a pad of a length and thickness suited for each individual application. In fact, it is possible to obtain a pad that not only spans the entire length of a wearer's palm, but also a substantial contiguous portion of the fingers as well. By rolling portion 2502 to extend beyond the intermediate joint of the middle finger, for example, it is possible to ensure against grasping and pulling manipulations of a wearer's hand while still leaving much of the hand exposed — including the most sensitive areas of the fingers.

As best seen in FIG. 25, article 2500 includes a securing element in the form of a projection 2506. Advantageously, the entire article may be formed, by a conventional stamping operation, from a single section of resilient material. To this end, projection 2506 is formed by removing a u-shaped segment of material to form a u-shaped channel or slot indicated generally at reference numeral 2510. To receive and retain the wearer's finger, projection 2506 defines an aperture 2508 located near the distal end thereof. Care should be taken to ensure that aperture 2508 is slightly oversized to provide adequate clearance against and ensure adequate blood circulation to the finger. If the retaining member is fitted too snugly on the finger, it can cut off blood circulation such that the finger turns red. Since this precaution might result in a loose fitting attachment, it might be desirable to incorporate a second anchoring point along the finger path. By way of example, a similarly dimensioned second aperture (not shown) may be provided from about 2.5 to 5.0 cm forward of aperture 2508.

Fasteners such, for example, as hook and loop fasteners 2512 and 2514 maintain elongated section 2504 in the band defining configuration shown in FIG. 26. By positioning one of the fastener portions, as portion 2514, in a transverse orientation relative to the hand, it is possible to accommodate a wide range of circumferences. Other fasteners (not shown) can be provided for maintaining grasp-obstructing pad 2503 in its rolled orientation. In the various exemplary embodiments disclosed and described in detail herein, both the grasp-obstructing element and securing elements are constructed from the same piece of resilient, hypoallergenic foam or fibrous material. In this regard, any hypoallergenic material providing sufficient rigidity to impede an individual's ability to form a fist such, for example, a foam rubber material or the like will suffice. In embodiments of the invention in which the grasp-obstructing element is formed by folding an elongated section of material, a width on the order of one inch wide by six inches long has been found to be acceptable for most situations. The securing elements should be of sufficient size to comfortably receive and retain the wrist, finger and palm of the hand to be impeded.

While the exact rigidity of the material comprising the grasp-obstructing member is not critical, it is preferable that the grasp-obstructing member be semi-rigid relative to the strength of the individual's grasp. Hence, fibrous or lattice structures are preferred due to their characteristic resiliency. In this regard, it has been found that for neonatal infants, using a rubber foam material, acceptable results have been achieved using an uncompressed sheet thickness of from about 0.32 to about 0.64 cm and, for the elongate section(s) comprising the grasp-obstructing pad, a width of about 1.0 cm and an unfolded length of from about 7 to 12 cm. Of course, when larger sizes are manufactured for pediatric through adult patients, the material of higher density and thickness is warranted. An exemplary range of uncompressed material thickness in such situations may be from about 0.64 cm to about 2.5 cm or even greater.

Where a grasp-impeding article constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is to be formed by folding the various elements from different sections of a single segment of resilient material, the unfolded segment may be fabricated by a conventional stamping operation. Of course, satisfactory results may also be achieved by other shaping operations such, for example, as cutting or even by molding the structure. In embodiments of the invention employing an adhesive to directly secure elements of the grasp-impeding article to the skin of an individual's hand, acceptable results have been obtained using hydrocolloid adhesive compositions

When properly positioned on the hand of a neonatal infant, articles constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention add support to the wrist and palm area of the hand when an intravenous (IN) line is introduced. While some nurses have heretofore used cotton balls and tape to "bulk-up" the hand, such procedures are generally against the policy of many hospitals because cotton fibers can be swallowed and tape can irritate or damage the sensitive skin of neonatal infants. Other articles constructed in accordance with the present invention can be used to prevent individuals from scratching the skin lesions and rashes associated with such common infectious diseases as chicken pox, measles, as well as those associated with allergic reactions such, for example, to poison ivy, oak and sumac.

The foregoing description -of several illustrative embodiments has been presented in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but by the annexed claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. An article (10) for gently impeding grasping manipulation of a human hand without obscuring fingers of the hand from view, CHARACTERIZED BY: a grasp-obstructing element (202) dimensioned and arranged to impede manipulation of a human hand into a fist; and a securing element (124 or 204) adapted to secure the grasp-obstructing element in a position of engagement with the palm of the hand, the fingers of an impeded hand being visible and receptive to tactile feedback while the grasp-obstructing element is secured in position over the palm, said grasp-obstructing element and said securing element being integrally formed from a single, unitary section of resilient material.

2. The article of claim 1, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the grasp-obstructing element is formed by one of folding and rolling an elongated portion of said resilient material.

3. The article of claim 3, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the resilient material comprises hypoallergenic foam.

4. The article of claim 2, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the grasp-obstructing element (202) is formed by folding a first section of said resilient material (126) over a second folded section of said resilient material (102).

5. The article of claim 4, further CHARACTERIZED BY a fastener (108, 114) for mamtaining the first and second sections (126, 102) of the grasp-obstructing element (202) in a folded position.

6. The article of claim 2, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the grasp-obstructing element (202) is formed by rolling a single section of said resilient material.

7. The article of claim 2, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element (1702) includes at least one elongated section (1606, 1602) dimensioned and arranged to encircle a finger.

8. The article of claim 7, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element includes a single section (124) defining an aperture (106) dimensioned to receive and retain a finger.

9. The article of claim 7, further CHARACTERIZED IN that the securing element includes first and second elongated sections (1602, 1606) and a fastener (1608) for retaining the first and second elongated sections in a wrapped configuration around a finger.

10. The article of claim 2, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element (204) includes at least one elongated section (118, 120) dimensioned and arranged to encircle a wrist.

11. The article of claim 10, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element includes first and second elongated sections (118, 120) and a fastener (116) for retaining the first and second elongated sections in a wrapped configuration around a wrist.

12. The article of claim 2, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element includes at least one elongated section (118, 120) adapted to encircle a wrist and at least one elongated section (124) adapted to encircle a finger.

13. The article of claim 12, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element includes a single elongated section (124) defining an aperture (106) dimensioned to receive and retain a finger and a fastener (1402) for securing a distal end of the single foldable section (124) to the at least one elongated section (118) adapted to encircle a wrist.

14. The article of claim 1, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element comprises a projecting member (124) that extends from the grasp-obstructing element (202) and is manipulable to define an aperture (106) dimensioned and arranged to receive and retain a finger.

15. The article of claim 14, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the grasp-obstructing element has one of a substantially spherical and a substantially cubic shape.

16. The article of claim 1, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element and grasp-obstructing element are comprised of a resilient hypoallergenic material, said grasp- obstructing element being sufficiently large and sufficiently rigid as to oppose grasping movement of the hand.

17. The article of claim 16, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the hypoallergenic material is a foam material.

18. The article of claim 14, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the securing element includes a second projecting member (204, 502) that extends from the grasp-obstructing element (202) and is manipulable to define a second aperture dimensioned and arranged to receive and retain a wrist.

19. The article of claim 18, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT at least one of the first and second projecting members includes a foldable section of resilient material securable in an aperture defining orientation by a fastener.

20. A method of using an article to gently impede grasping manipulation of an individual's hand without obscuring fingers of the hand from view to reduce the individual's ability to interfere with medical treatment, inflict self-harm or harm to others, CHARACTERIZED BY: providing a grasp-obstructing element and securing element formed from a single, unitary section of resilient material, the grasp-obstructing element being dimensioned and arranged to impede manipulation of a human hand into a fist; placing, over at least a portion of the palm of the individual's hand, the grasp-obstructing element; and manipulating the securing element to encircle and retain at least one of the wrist and finger of the individual's hand, thereby securing the grasp-obstructing element in a position of engagement with the palm of the individual's hand.

21. The method of claim 20, further CHARACTERIZED BY repeating the providing, placing and manipulating steps on the other hand of the individual using a second grasp- obstructing element and a second securing element.

22. The method of claim 20, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the manipulating step includes wrapping an elongated section of resilient material around at least one of the wrist and the finger of a hand and securing the wrapped section with a fastener.

23. The method of claim 20, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the manipulating step includes wrapping first and second foldable sections of resilient material around at least one of the wrist and finger of the hand and securing the wrapped sections with a fastener.

24. The method of claim 20, further CHARACTERIZED BY a step of forming the grasp-obstructing element by one of rolling and folding at least one elongated section of resilient material prior to the placing step.

25. The method of claim 20, further CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the manipulating step includes placing at least one of a finger and the wrist of an individual within an aperture defined through a section of resilient material.

26. The method of claim 20, further CHARACTERIZED BY a step of forming the grasp-obstructing element by rolling at least one elongated section of resilient material to obtain a sufficient length to span a surface portion of the individual's palm and a contiguous surface portion of the individual's fingers; and CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the placing step comprises placing the obstructing element over a portion of the individual's palm and a contiguous portion of the individual's fingers.

27. The method of claim 2, further including a step of placing manacles around each wrist of the individual to further prevent the likelihood of harm to others.