Dura elevating and cutting apparatus

A shield for a dura elevating and cutting apparatus, comprising:

• a stem having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a rotator defined at the proximal end of the stem and configured for engagement with a rotator receptacle of a scalpel housing of the dura elevating and cutting apparatus;
• an elevator defined at the distal end of the stem;
• a blade shield defined along a midsection of the stem, wherein the stem is configured for engagement with a shield storage slot of the scalpel housing in a recessed position and the blade shield is configured for engagement with a head portion of the scalpel housing in an engaged position, wherein the rotator is rotatable in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction between the recessed position and the engaged position;
• an elongated semicircular recess defined by a tip lock of the shield and configured for engagement with a tip of the scalpel housing when the shield is in the engaged position;
• an indentation defined by the blade shield along a lateral side of the stem for engagement with a blade when the shield is in the engaged position;
• and
• a brim defined by the blade shield and located directly above the indentation in a direction of elongation of the stem for engagement with the head portion of the scalpel housing when the shield is in the engaged position, wherein the blade shield prevents a distal-most portion of the blade from contacting tissue when in the engaged position;
• wherein the rotator further comprises:
• a longitudinal portion in communication with a circular portion;
• and
• a latitudinal portion in communication with the circular portion, wherein the latitudinal portion is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal portion;
• wherein the rotator is configured for insertion into a horizontal slot of the scalpel housing such that a post defined within the horizontal slot slides through the longitudinal portion and is disposed within the circular portion such that the rotator is operable for rotation between the recessed position and the engaged position;
• and
• wherein the rotator is locked in the engaged position by driving the rotator in a lateral direction such that the post slides out of the circular portion and engages within the latitudinal portion.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a scalpel housing defining a handle and a shield storage slot, the scalpel housing terminating in a head portion;
• a blade shield that engages the head portion, including:
• an indentation defined along a lateral side of the blade shield for engagement with a blade while in an engaged position;
• and
• a brim defined along a direction of elongation of the scalpel housing, wherein the brim engages a spine of the blade while in the engaged position, and wherein a portion of a cutting edge of the blade is exposed while the blade shield is in the engaged position;
• and
• an elevator in association with the blade shield, the elevator being positioned distal to and extending beyond the brim along the direction of elongation of the scalpel housing.