Abstract:
A scalpel device has a metal shank having a blade carrier configured holding a scalpel blade. A sheath is configured for receiving the scalpel shank. The shank is rigidly coupled to the sheath. A retractable blade guard is movably coupled to the sheath. The blade guard is movable between retracted and extended positions wherein the scalpel blade is selectively covered or exposed.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/649,430, filed Feb. 2, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Disposable scalpels are typically provided with a plastic handle to which a scalpel blade is coupled to the plastic components of the handle. These scalpels are very light compared to conventional non-disposable or reusable full metal scalpels. Those used to the heavier reusable scalpels may find this undesirable. Furthermore, in use, the plastic material materials may be prone to breakage, which is undesirable. In practice, several disposable scalpels may have to be used because of this tendency toward breakage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a scalpel device having a retractable blade guard assembly, shown with handle sheath partially sectioned and the blade guard in an extended position; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the scalpel device of  FIG. 1 , shown with the handle sheath partially section and a blade of the device disengaged and exploded from the device; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the scalpel device of  FIG. 2 , shown with the blade engaged with a blade post of the scalpel device; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the scalpel device of  FIG. 1 , shown with the blade guard in the extended position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the scalpel device of  FIG. 4 , shown with the blade guard in a retracted position; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the scalpel device of  FIG. 1  without the blade guard assembly and showing the longitudinal sections of the handle sheath. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a blade guard assembly of a scalpel device may formed from clear plastic blade guard wall sections  1 A,  1 B that are joined along the edge or wall  2 . The sections  1 A,  1 A are spaced apart to define a longitudinal slot that receives a blade of the scalpel device terminates in an opening  3  at the end of the blade guard to allow passage of a scalpel blade therethrough. The sections  1 A,  1 B may be clear plastic material to allow visual perception therethrough. 
         [0011]    The blade guard assembly is provided with a thumb member or projection  4  that is coupled to the blade guard and may be manually manipulated to move the blade guard between retracted and extended positions. The blade guard assembly is movably coupled to a scalpel  5  so that the blade guard can be moved forward over the scalpel blade  10  when in an extended position to prevent inadvertent contact with the blade  10  and moved rearward away from the blade  10  so that it is exposed. 
         [0012]    The scalpel  5  includes a handle shank portion  6  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) having a blade post  7 . The shank and post may be formed from steel or other suitable metal to provide strength and add weight to the scalpel and may be formed as an integral unit. Alternatively, the shank and post may be a plastic, polymeric or other non-metal material with the shank and post being integrally formed together. The shank may be the same or similar to the weight of a conventional reusable metal scalpel handle. In fact, a traditional metal scalpel could be used and incorporated into the sheath, as it is described below. The handle or shank portion  6 , however, may be smaller and weight less than traditional metal scalpel handles to reduce material usage, weight and cost of the construction of the scalpel, thus facilitating its disposability. The blade post  7  may be of conventional design to facilitate releasable mounting and removal of conventional scalpel blades of the type having an opening or aperture  9  for engagement with locking members  8  of the blade post  7 . Alternatively, the blade  10  may be permanently mounted to the post  7  for single use. 
         [0013]    The handle or shank portion  6  is housed within a plastic or polymeric handle sheath  15  ( FIG. 6 ) that surrounds the shank portion  6 . At least a portion of the shank  6  longitudinally coextends with the sheath  15 . The sheath may be formed into two halves or longitudinal sections. All or portion of the shank portion  6  may be securely sandwiched or be embedded within the plastic material of the sheath to provide rigidity and strength. The blade post  7  projects from the sheath  15 . The exterior of the sheath  15  may be configured or shaped as a conventional scalpel blade handle to facilitate handling and use. The metal handle or shank portion  6  may thus be formed from less material than a conventional non-disposable scalpel that has a full metal or steel handle. This allows that scalpel to be manufactured at lower cost and allows that scalpel device to be disposable. The shank  6  may be press molded or stamped out for lower manufacturing costs. The metal shank  6  portion, however, which extends and is securely fastened to the sheath  15 , provides additional strength that is not found in full plastic handle scalpels. 
         [0014]    The blade guard assembly is movably coupled to the plastic sheath  15 . Slots and grooves formed in the plastic material of the sheath allow engagement of the guard assembly with the handle sheath and may limit forward and rearward movement of the blade guard assembly. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the sheath  15  may have a forward opening or chamber for receiving the blade guard of the blade guard assembly when the guard is in the retracted position. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the blade guard is shown in the fully retracted position. When in this position, the thumb member  4  or portions thereof may abut against a rearward end of a longitudinal slot formed in an upper wall the sheath  15 . When the thumb member  4  is moved forward along the slot, the blade guard is forced out of the forward chamber of the sheath  15  so that the blade guard covers the blade  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The thumb member  4  or portions thereof may abut or engage a forward end of the longitudinal slot formed in the upper wall of the sheath  15  or other limit or stop device to prevent further forward movement of the guard assembly. Releasable detents or locking members may engage the blade assembly when in the fully extended or retracted positions. The blade guard may extend from 1 mm to 10 mm or more beyond the scalpel blade  10  to prevent inadvertent contact with the blade tip. The wall  2  also prevents contact with the cutting edge of the blade  10 . 
         [0016]    In an alternate embodiment, the blade post  7  may be incorporated or integrated with the sheath and the shank portion  6  eliminated. Additional weights may be used to provide weight to the shank portion  6 . 
         [0017]    While the embodiment shown shows the blade guard being received within the handle sheath, it could also be incorporated so that the guard assembly is exterior to the sheath  15 . In such a configuration, the guard assembly would be retracted or extended over the forward end of the sheath. 
         [0018]    The blade guard is sized, shaped or otherwise configured to fully cover the scalpel blade when it is secured to the handle. 
         [0019]    Because the scalpel device is constructed primarily from plastic material it may be disposable and may be disposed of as a unit. The scalpel device may also be reusable or have limited reusability (i.e two or more uses before disposal). The device may be sterilized and provided in sterilized packaging. If desired, the construction of the scalpel device with a conventional blade post, allows the blade to be changed. This differs from other disposable scalpels do not allow the scalpel blade to be replaced. This also allows different style blades to be used or allows replacement of blades that have been dulled or damaged. Additionally, the plastic materials of the prior art disposable scalpels make them prone to breakage. The metal handle or shank portion that extends into the handle sheath provides strength that is not found in the plastic handles of prior art disposable scalpels. The metal handle or shank portion also adds weight and provide a better feel, which is more like that of reusable full metal handle scalpels, without requiring the use of separate weighting members. The blade guard may be readily moved between retracted and extended positions with one hand. 
         [0020]    While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.