Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for detecting perforations in a protective element, such as a surgical glove worn by an operator such as a surgeon, during the performance of an operation, such as surgery, on an object, such as a patient, said method comprising the steps of: at regularly recurring time intervals during said operation, sensing the electrical conductivity through said operator, said protective element, and said object connected in series; and signaling an alarm in response to changes exceeding a predetermined level in said sensed conductivity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for detecting perforations in a protective element, such as a surgical glove worn by an operator such as a surgeon, during the performance of an operation, such as surgery, on an object, such as a patient, said method comprising the steps of: at regularly recurring time intervals during said operation, sensing the electrical conductivity through said operator, said protective element, and said object connected in series; and signaling an alarm in response to changes exceeding a predetermined level in said sensed conductivity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the step of periodically providing a discharge path to discharge static electricity across the series-connected operator, protective element, and object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for detecting and indicating perforations occurring in a protective element, such as a surgical glove, worn by an operator, such as a surgeon, said apparatus comprising: voltage level sensor means, having two input terminals, for sensing electrical conductivity of external circuitry connected across said input terminals; timed control means for, at regular intervals, connecting said protective element and said operator in series between said two input terminals; and alarm means responsive to the electrical conductivity sensed by said sensor means for providing a humanly perceptible signal when sensed conductivity exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for detecting and indicating perforations occurring in a protective element, such as a surgical glove, worn by an operator, such as a surgeon, said apparatus comprising: voltage level sensor means, having two input terminals, for sensing electrical conductivity of external circuitry connected across said input terminals; timed control means for, at regular intervals, connecting said protective element and said operator in series between said two input terminals; and alarm means responsive to the electrical conductivity sensed by said sensor means for providing a humanly perceptible signal when sensed conductivity exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising: a shoe having a heel portion which is adapted to be worn by said operator; wherein said voltage level sensor means, said timed control means and said alarm means are disposed in said shoe, preferably in said heel portion; and wherein said shoe includes an insole contact and an underside contact to which said two input terminals are connected, respectively, at said regular intervals by said control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said contacts comprise an at least electrically semi-conductive material, said insole contact at least partly covering an inner surface and said underside contact at least partly covering an outer bottom surface of the shoe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising electronic switch means for periodically electrically connecting together said two inputs in order to discharge static electricity.