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US 5,330,493 AGranted
Disposable scalpel
OwnerMichael L. Haininginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is provided a disposable scalpel having a retractable blade. The blade may be secured in any of three positions: 1) an intermediated retracted position for shipping, 2) an exposed position for use and 3) a permanently locked retracted position. A cap is provided to cover the openings on the scalpel after the blade is secured in the permanently locked position.
Claims3
A retractable blade surgical scalpel comprising:
- (a) a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, said handle defining a chamber having an upper surface, a lower surface and an opening at the distal end, and having a slot through the upper surface and notches in said chamber near either end of said slot;
- (b) a projection on the lower surface of said chamber near the proximal end;
- (c) a blade carrier slidably mounted within said chamber;
- (d) a surgical blade secured on said blade carrier oriented toward said opening;
- (e) an upper flexible member extending from said blade carrier having a tab at the proximal end to engage either of said notches to secure said blade in an exposed position or retracted position;
- and
- (f) a lower flexible member extending from said blade carrier having a notch on the under surface engageable with said projection to permanently lock said carrier and blade in a retracted position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.