Patent · US Expired

Powered rotary scalpel method

US5507764A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
3References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 1992
Grant dateApr 16, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB26B25/00
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of making a surgical incision comprising power driving a rotating scalpel blade and drawing the blade across an area and along a line where an incision is required. When the blade is circular, the circumferential speed of the blade relative to the tissue at the incision is maintained above 4 centimeters per second and is preferably between 10 and 25 centimeters per second, i.e. approximately 18 centimeters per second, for example. Further in accordance with the invention, the scalpel blade may be pushed or pulled across the area in which an incision is required. Also, the circular scalpel blade may be driven in a direction such that the periphery thereof at the incision travels in either a direction opposite to or the same as the direction of movement of the blade drawn along the line where the incision is required. Also, in accordance with the invention, the blade is illuminated any time power is applied to the scalpel, and the depth of cut may be physically limited by structure specifically designed and provided for such depth limiting.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.