Method of making polymeric gloves having embedded surgical support systems and discrete elements

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a glove that includes discrete elements and component systems, such as, but not limited to, lights, electrical cautery, suction, and irrigation, attached to the surgical glove. The gloves produced by this method can be used as surgical gloves or for other industrial applications. In a particular application, the method includes providing a former comprising a hand-shaped portion and a first surgical system comprising a first surgical instrument, and a first switch for controlling the first surgical system. The former includes a first depression for receiving the first surgical system. The first depression is adapted to produce an interference fit with at least a portion of the first surgical system. The first surgical system can be loaded into the first depression and a polymer coating can be applied over the loaded former to form a surgical glove.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.