Medical scalpels consist of a handle and a blade that attaches to the handle. It has been the case that the blades are packed in foil, and have to be manually removed from that foil packing and then attached to the handle. The handle with the exposed blade would then be passed to and from the practitioner and the assistant before, during, and after the procedure. This handling of the scalpel with its unprotected blade increases the risk of sharps injury to the practitioner and the assistant(s). OSHA has issued regulations regarding the prevention of sharps injuries. The requirement to follow them is becoming mandatory in hospitals as well as private practices.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,999 describes a safety scalpel including handle configured to couple to a blade and a housing configured to couple to and enclose the blade. A blade disengaging actuator is positioned on a top of the housing. A stop member is unlocked by pushing the blade disengaging actuator in a downward direction for exposing the blade. U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,999 has the shortcoming that the blade disengaging actuator can interfere with the use of the scalpel. It is desirable to provide a safety scalpel including a housing with an activation member which does not interfere with the use of the scalpel.
The present invention provides a unique safety scalpel that helps end users address regulatory and medical issues, as well as providing greater ease of use. The present invention provides an activation mechanism on both sides of a plastic sheath of the safety scalpel. Activation of either one of the mechanisms on the sides will cause the sheath to slide back along the handle neck and lock in place at the locking port thereby exposing the blade for use. The activation mechanisms are thumb activated on the side of the sheath, which results in a more natural motion, as well as keeping other fingers out of the way of the unsheathed blade. After use, pushing forward with the thumb on either of the activation mechanisms on the sides of the plastic sheath will cause the sheath to slide forward and lock in place, thereby sheathing the blade while keeping all other fingers out of the way. Since the activation mechanisms are on the sides of the sheath, the surface at the top of the sheath is flat, providing greater comfort and stability for the practitioner.
The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.
Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
Activation mechanisms 14a, 14b each include respective flange 30a, 30b as shown in
Ejection mechanism 23 can release safety sheath 12 and blade 11 inside it from handle 18, enabling safe disposal. Blade 12 covered by safety sheath 12 is removably coupled to handle 18 as shown in
It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/182,399, filed May 29, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61182399 | May 2009 | US |