Patent ID: 6065596
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a scalpel and a container holding said scalpel, said scalpel including:a blade attached to a handle, said scalpel having a major cross-sectional dimension and a minor cross-sectional dimension; andsaid container including:an elongated scalpel recess closed at each end and receiving said scalpel, and having a first portion receiving said scalpel blade and a second portion receiving at least part of said scalpel handle, said portions having a width slightly greater than that of the major cross-sectional dimension of the scalpel and depth slightly greater than that of the minor cross-sectional dimension of the scalpel, the length of said scalpel recess being such that the scalpel blade is located within one of said portions irrespective of the position of the scalpel in the scalpel recess, andguide means for guiding a scalpel placed in said container to said scalpel recess;the arrangement being such that the scalpel received within said scalpel recess is positioned therein such that the scalpel blade is not directed towards the opening of the scalpel recess whereby a user's fingers are substantially prevented from contacting a cutting portion of the scalpel blade.