Surgical scalpel with retractable guard
US5250063A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/32113
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical scalpel is provided with a retractable guard for its cutting blade. The scalpel includes a resiliently-biased locking means and a releasing mechanism for, alternatively, selectively locking the guard in an extended position for covering the blade and in a retracted position for exposing the blade. The guard is disposed on the body of the scalpel for sliding movement between its extended and retracted positions--with the use of only one hand--and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient. The locking mechanism produces a auditory sensory warning to signal to the user thereof that the guard is locked into either its extended or retracted position, without the necessity of visually observing the scalpel, and the locking and releasing mechanisms may be tactually located by the user and activated without visually observing the scalpel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.