Patent ID: 7153317
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A disposable guarded surgical scalpel comprising: a. an elongated handle having front and rear ends and left and right sides, a first external notch between the ends and a series of longitudinally aligned external protrusions on one side, forward of said first notch, forming second and third notches; b. a blade fixed to the front of the handle; c. a guard having left and right flat sides, slidably mounted over a portion of the left and right sides of the handle, the guard being movable longitudinally back and forth between a first, retracted position where the blade is exposed and a second, extended position where the blade is covered, the guard also being movable to a third, disposal position covering said blade beyond the extended position, and wherein the guard is lockable in all the three positions, the guard having a longitudinal through slot on a side of the guard over the side of the handle having the external series of protrusions, and a rear edge, wherein the flat side portion of the guard between the slot and the rear edge engages with the series of protrusions of the handle to selectively lock the guard with respect to the handle in said second and third positions; and d. a lock, disposed at an outer surface of the guard and being externally accessible by a user, wherein the lock retains the guard in the retracted position by engagement with the first notch, and wherein the guard is capable of being unlocked from the retracted position by the user pressing the lock longitudinally forward to displace the lock relative to the guard and the handle.