US 2006/0041267 A1 · Scalpel blade remover

Abstract

A single-use scalpel blade remover (1) removes a blade (33) from a tang (32) of a scalpel (30) and captures it, in a single-handed operation. The remover (1) comprises a housing (2) having a detent (16), and an actuator (3) which is operatively juxtaposed with the housing (2) and moveable alongside the housing in a forward direction from a proximal position (whereat an opening is formed between the proximal ends of the actuator and the housing) to a distal position (whereat the detent (16) engages the proximal end of the actuator). The blade remover (1) also includes a cam-operated mechanism (14, 23, 20) for automatically separating the heel of the blade (33) from the tang (32) as the actuator (3) is moved to the distal position. In use, the blade (33) on the tang (32) is inserted in the opening and the actuator is pushed forward by the tang to its distal position, whereupon the detent (16) engages the proximal end of the actuator (3) and retains it in its distal position and prevents rearward movement of the blade (33). As the heel has been separated from the tang (32), upon withdrawal of the tang from the scalpel blade remover (1), the blade (33) is stripped from the tang and retained captively between the actuator (3) and the housing (2).

Claims25

Dependent claims

A scalpel blade remover for removing a blade having a heel from a tang of a scalpel, the remover comprising:

a housing;
an actuator having a proximal end, the actuator being operatively juxtaposed with the housing and moveable relative to the housing
from a proximal position whereat an opening is formed between the actuator and the housing for receiving therebetween the blade on the tang of the scalpel,
to a distal position;
a blade deflecting mechanism for automatically separating the heel of the blade from the tang of the scalpel as the actuator is moved to the distal position;
and
a retention mechanism for engaging the actuator and retaining it in the distal position;
wherein in use, when the blade on the tang is inserted in the opening and the actuator is pushed forward by the tang to its distal position,
the blade deflecting mechanism automatically separates the heel of the blade from the tang of the scalpel,
the retention mechanism engages the actuator and retains it in its distal position and limits rearward movement of the blade, and
upon withdrawal of the tang from the scalpel blade remover, the blade is stripped from the tang and retained between the actuator and the housing.

8 more elements

A method of removing a blade from a tang of a scalpel using a scalpel blade remover having a first member, a second member juxtaposed with the first member, the first and second members defining a narrow space therebetween for receiving the blade on the tang, said second member being moveable relative to the first member from the first position to a second position, a blade deflector for separating the heel of the blade from the tang of the scalpel as the second member is moved to the second position, and a mechanism for retaining the second member in the second position;

the method comprising the steps of:
inserting the blade between the first and second members with the blade mounted on the tang of the scalpel;
engaging the second member with the scalpel;
applying a force on the scalpel sufficient to move the second member relative to the first member from the first position to the second position, and to cause the blade deflector to separate a heel of the blade from the tang;
causing the mechanism to retain the second member in the second position;
and
withdrawing the scalpel to strip the blade from the tang and leave it retained between the first and second members.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Scalpel blade remover

Life of this patent

Scalpel blade remover

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25