The need often arises to remove a foreign object from a human or animal patient. In such cases, it is often necessary to cut materials of a relatively small cross section, e.g., 12-14 gauge or less, such as wires, nails/screws, fishhooks, body jewelry, and the like. Such foreign objects may need to be removed from patients due to, e.g., accidental impalement or due to infection at the site of intentionally embedded material, e.g., jewelry.
Common general-purpose wire cutters, e.g., such as may be found in a hardware store, are often used for removal of such foreign objects from a patient. The use of a general-purpose hand tool in a medical application may present health and safety issues. Time may be lost in treatment while the proper hand tool is located. All current wire cutters, medical or nonmedical, have no way to prevent cut pieces from becoming projectiles. Sterility of the tool is also an issue, as quickly cleaning the tool as provided may not be enough to ensure proper hygienic conditions for the patient. Moreover, tools designed for construction and home repair use are not always of the best design for use in a medical application. Wire cutters designed for home repair use often have thick and bulky jaws that impede visualization as well as handles that are difficult to close with suitable force in the close quarters of the medical procedure. For instance removal of a barbed hook from a patient may require forcing the barb through and out of the skin at a point distal from the entrance point, cutting off of the barb on the end of the hook, and then pulling the remains of the hook back out of the patient.
In all applications of the use of cutting tools, e.g., medical applications, home repair applications, construction applications, etc., the sudden release of the cut material can also be a problem. For instance, when cutting the barbed end off of a fishhook, the sudden release of the barb can cause the barb to fly through the air at a very high velocity. Similarly, when snipping the end off of a wire, nail, etc. at a construction site, the cut pieces can form high velocity projectiles that fly indiscriminately across the site. Such high velocity projectiles can be dangerous, particularly if they should happen to hit someone in the eye. Moreover, once these projectiles have landed, they can be difficult to find again, and may be stepped on, which can cause trauma to an unprotected foot and can cause floor damage if embedded in a shoe.
Accordingly, a hand tool with features for quickly, safely, and sanitarily removing foreign objects such as but not limited to nails, embedded fishhooks, surgical and nonsurgical wires and body jewelry from humans and animals would be useful. Additionally, a hand tool with features for collecting and holding the cut pieces of such foreign objects so that they do not become projectiles which may, e.g., endanger eyes, puncture skin, or inadvertently fall into deep body cavities once dislodged from the patient, would be useful.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, a hand tool is provided. The hand tool includes a head comprising a pair of opposing jaws. Each jaw includes a cutting edge. The hand tool also includes a first handle and a second handle joined to the first handle at a pivot joint. The first handle and the second handle are joined at the pivot joint such that they are each rotatable relative to the other to move the hand tool between a closed position where the jaws are in contact and an open position where the jaws are spaced apart. The hand tool also includes a lock pivotably attached to one of the first handle and the second handle such that the lock is rotatable between a locked position where movement of the hand tool from the closed position to the open position is inhibited by the lock and an unlocked position where the lock does not interfere with relative rotation of the first handle and the second handle. The first handle and the second handle are rotatable between the open position and the closed position within and through a first plane. The lock is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position within and through a second plane, and the second plane is distinct from the first plane.
In another exemplary embodiment, a hand tool is provided. The hand tool includes a head comprising a first jaw having a first cutting edge and an opposing second jaw having a second cutting edge. The hand tool also includes a first handle and a second handle joined to the first handle at a pivot joint. The first handle and the second handle are joined at the pivot joint such that they are each rotatable relative to the other to move the hand tool between a closed position where the jaws are in contact and an open position where the jaws are spaced apart. The hand tool also includes a basket having a first basket section removably attached to the first jaw and a second basket section removably attached to the second jaw.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
The present disclosure is generally directed to a hand tool. Although the present disclosure is also applicable to hand tools generally, in some embodiments, the hand tool may be particularly useful in medical, dental, veterinary, and other similar fields. The hand tool of the present disclosure may include one or more advantageous features, such as a lock. In some embodiments, the lock may promote ease of use when locking and unlocking the hand tool. The hand tool may also include features which promote improved leverage, ease of access for cutting in tight spaces, and other features and additional benefits. The hand tool may catch and contain cut pieces with an attached basket device. The tool may be serializable and ergonomically designed for foreign body removal from various parts of the patient's body, such as skin surfaces, nose, nipples, external ear, and various body cavities. For example, additional features and advantages of the hand tool according to the present disclosure are described below and shown in the attached figures.
The cutting edges 7 and 8 can be formed of a hardened material that can hold an edge over a long period of time and can cleanly cut a metal. For example, the cutting edges 7, 8 can be formed of a hardened steel, such as a high-grade alloy steel or carbon steel including, without limitation, M2 high-speed carbon steel, W2 carbon tool steel, O1 alloy tool steel, CPM-M4 steel, D2 high chromium content tool steel, S30V stainless steel, 154CM stainless steel, ZDP-189 stainless steel, etc. The cutting edges can have a hardness on the Rockwell Hardness C scale of from about HRC 55 to about HRC 65, or from about HRC 60 to about HRC 65, or from about HRC 63 to about HRC 65 in some embodiments.
In one embodiment, at least the head 12 and joint 14 of the tool 10 can be formed of the material used to form the cutting edges. For instance, the tool 10 can be formed of a first unitary piece that forms right handle 16, a portion of the joint 14, and left jaw 11 and a second unitary piece that forms left handle 15, a portion of the joint 14, and right jaw piece 13. In such embodiments, these two unitary pieces can be held together in a rotating relationship at joint 14, for instance with an interlocking screw and nut or the like. Other materials, such as cushioning covers for the handles, described in more detail below, can also be employed. In one embodiment, the tool 10 can include disposable handle covers, which can provide for ease in sterilization with improved comfort during use. The handle covers may include features for improving a user's grip on the tool 10, for example, a knurled or knobby texture.
When considering the cutting tool for medical applications, all materials used to form the cutting tool can be sterilizable. Thus, the cutting tool can be sterilized and maintained for medical use, for instance as a component of a trauma kit, in a medical setting such as an emergency room, trauma unit, private doctor's office, medical clinic (e.g., urgent care facility), etc.
In the illustrated embodiments, the jaws 11 and 13 of the cutting tool 10 also include beveled surfaces that extend from the cutting edges 7, 8. The cutting edges 7, 8 can have any suitable edge shape including, without limitation, a semi-flush edge with a slight bevel, a flush edge with a minimum bevel, or a no bevel edge, as are generally known in the art. In one embodiment, the cutting edges can have a no bevel edge and can produce a cut with no pinch on the edge of the cut material. This edge shape may decrease the applied force necessary to produce the cut, which may prove beneficial. However, a hand tool having a bevel cutting edge may provide an improved, e.g., increased, cutting life.
In some embodiments, for example as illustrated in
The handles 15, 16 can be of a length to ensure adequate leverage by a user at the cutting edges 7, 8 of the cutting tool 10. For instance, the handles 15, 16 can generally be from about 3 inches to about 8 inches in length, or from about 4 inches to about 5.5 inches in some embodiments. The length of the handles 15, 16 can ensure that a user can firmly grip the cutting tool 10 across the width of their hand, thus spreading the pressure across the entire hand width and preventing a point force on the palm. Suitable length of the handles 15, 16 can also allow a user to engage all four fingers during use and increase compressive force at the cutting edges 7, 8.
The handles 15, 16 can also include a padded surface and one or more devices to improve grip, for example, handle covers 200 and 202 may be provided on the handles 15 and 16, respectively. The handle covers 200, 202 may improve grip and the ability to apply suitable compressive force at the jaws 11, 13, and in particular at the cutting edges 7, 8 thereof, so as to quickly and efficiently cut a material even when being used by someone with relatively small hands.
The handle covers 200, 202 can be formed of a soft, deformable material such as an elastomeric foam or other relatively soft elastomer that provides for easy and stable gripping of the handles 15 and 16. For instance, the handle covers 200, 202 can be formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or silicone elastomer that can optionally be in the form of a foam. The handle covers 200, 202 can generally be adhered to the surface of a metal handle 15 or 16 so as to prevent slipping during use. For instance, the handles 15 and 16 can be unitary with the joint 14 and head 12 of a cutting tool 10 and the handle covers 200 and 202 can each be adhered to a respective handle 15, 16 by use of, e.g., an adhesive or a melt bond. Alternatively, the handle covers 200, 202 can be simply held by a friction fit to the inner metal handles 15, 16. In some embodiments, the tool 10 can include disposable handle covers 200, 202 that can be attached to a handle 15 or 16 for use and then later removed. This can be of beneficial use in those embodiments in which a higher degree of sterility is desired, e.g., medical applications.
The handle covers 200, 202 can include a non-slip surface due to the nature of the material used to form the handle covers 200, 202. For instance, a latex or synthetic rubber composition can be molded to form the handle covers and upon formation can naturally include a somewhat rough surface to provide a non-slip grip to the handle covers. Additionally, a textured portion 204 (
As shown, e.g., in
As mentioned above, the left handle 15 and the right handle 16 are pivotable through and within a first plane, e.g., the X-Y plane. As may be seen for example in
The second pivot axis 301 may be oriented at an angle to the pivot axis 40 defined by the pivot joint 14, and the angle may be an oblique angle or a normal angle. For example, the second pivot axis 301 may be generally normal to the pivot axis 40 defined by the pivot joint 14, e.g., forming an angle of within ten degrees greater or less than ninety degrees (90°±10°). Similarly, the lock 300 may pivot through and within a second plane which is distinct from the first plane. For example, the second plane may be oriented at an angle to the first plane, such as an oblique angle or a normal angle. In at least some embodiments, the second plane may be a Y-Z plane defined by the vertical direction Y and the transverse direction Z, where the Y-Z plane is orthogonal to the X-Y plane. The hand tool 10 may advantageously permit one-handed operation, including locking and/or unlocking, of the hand tool 10. For example, the hand tool 10 may be configured to permit a user to hold the left handle 15 and right handle 16 in the fingers and palm of one of the user's hands while operating, e.g., pivoting, the lock 300 with the thumb of the one hand. The lock 300 may also include a thumb tab 308 (
As shown in
In particular, as illustrated in
As shown in
The tool 10 can also have dual action provided by one or more springs located between the handles. Dual action ensures that following a cut the jaws 11, 13 will open by merely releasing pressure on the handles 15, 16. Particularly when utilizing the tool 10 near a person's skin surface, it is beneficial to have a tool 10 that will automatically open at the cutting edges 7, 8 without the need for actively spreading the jaws 11 and 13 open. The dual action capability, e.g., by addition of the presence of one or more springs, can also reduce the hand fatigue of the operator.
As may be seen in
A return spring elbow 406 may define a bend in the return spring 400 proximate the return spring head 404. The bend may encompass an angle of about ninety degrees, e.g., forming an angle of within ten degrees greater or less than ninety degrees. The bend of the return spring elbow 406 may encompass any suitable angle as desired to promote biasing the left and right handles 15 and 16 to or towards the open position. The bend may include an arcuate portion as shown in the accompanying illustrated examples, or may define a sharper bend, e.g., a smaller radius bend, or a compound bend or any other suitable form.
As mentioned, the return spring 400 may be attached to one of the left handle 15 and the right handle 16. The one handle may define an incline 408 for the return spring 400 to be supported during activation to prevent displacement during usage and a resting recess 412 for the return spring head 404 when the return spring 400 is in the disengaged position. The other of the left handle 15 and the right handle 16 may include a trough 414 (
The return spring 400 need not be exceptionally strong, particularly as an excessively strong spring action device will increase the compressive force needed to cut a material at the cutting edges 7, 8. The spring action device need only be strong enough to force the joint 14 to an open position upon release of pressure at the handles 15 and 16.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/680,051, filed Jun. 4, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/703,556, filed Jul. 26, 2018, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
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