Abstract:
A surgical blade device similar to a disposable scalpel wherein the blade assembly is easily replaceable is provided. The surgical blade device allows the user to replace a blade assembly during surgery or, after sterilization of the handle and replacement of the blade assembly, reuse the surgical blade device. The surgical blade device disclosed herein further provides for an inexpensive blade assembly replacement device which is simple to operate. That is, the blade replacement device has a limited number of components.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a retractable surgical blade device and an associated method and, more specifically, to a retractable surgical blade device having a removable blade assembly. 
     2. Background Information 
     Traditional surgical scalpels are well known devices used by surgeons and other medical personnel to make incisions into patients or for the purpose of dissection. Scalpels are specialized knives typically consisting of a handle member and a removable surgical blade disposed on one end of the handle. The surgical blades, in order to be effective, are extremely sharp and must be handled carefully by all personnel involved in the surgical procedure in which the scalpel is used. 
     Because the traditional scalpels have exposed blades, the chance of accidental stabbing or cutting of medical personnel is great. In addition to the injury caused by the cut or stab itself, infectious viruses and/or bacteria can enter into the cut or wound during the surgical procedure. Many infectious diseases can be transmitted between the blood of a surgical patient and an open wound of medical personnel inadvertently cut by the surgical blade of a scalpel. 
     Medical personnel may be protected from accidental scalpel wounds by a retractable surgical blade device such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,531,754 and 6,254,621 which are incorporated by reference. The retractable surgical blade device includes a handle and a blade assembly. The handle defines a channel. The blade assembly includes a blade on a body member, or slider. The blade assembly is structured to be movably disposed within the handle channel. The front end of the channel includes a stop which allows the blade to be extended therefrom while preventing the slider from passing therethrough. Thus, medical personnel may move the blade assembly between a first, withdrawn position, wherein the blade is disposed within the channel, and a second, cutting position, wherein the blade extends from the channel. These designs for “safety scalpels” present an elegant solution to the problem of exposed blades during surgery. 
     Such safety scalpels typically include a plastic handle and a blade assembly, that is, a plastic slider with an attached steel blade. With these materials, safety scalpels are relatively inexpensive and were intended to be disposable after use on a single patient; however, as the cost of medical devices in general continue to increase, many health care organizations are looking to cut costs wherever possible and are attempting to find ways to reuse such safety scalpels. Further, plastic scalpels tend to be relatively light weight and lack the heft of metal scalpels. Many surgeons prefer a scalpel that has heft. 
     One solution to these problems is to provide a metal handle, typically stainless steel, into which a disposable blade assembly may be inserted. The metal handle provides a desired heft and replacing the blade assembly is less expensive than disposing the entire scalpel. However, the blade assembly replacement devices presently utilized have complicated mechanisms structured to selectively hold or release the blade assembly. Such complicated devices have multiple areas, colloquially called “nooks and crannies,” in which blood, or even small pieces of flesh, may become trapped. When biological material becomes trapped in the scalpel handle, sterilization becomes difficult, if not impossible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The concept disclosed and claimed herein provides for a scalpel similar to a disposable scalpel wherein the blade assembly is easily replaceable. Such a scalpel allows the user to replace a blade assembly during surgery or, after sterilization of the handle and replacement of the blade assembly, reuse the scalpel. The scalpel concept disclosed herein further provides for an inexpensive blade assembly release device having few components and which is simple to operate. 
     Generally, the concept provides a safety scalpel wherein a blocking member, or stop, which prevents forward motion of the blade assembly beyond the handle channel, is disposed upon the upper side of a gap through which a portion of the slider travels. The side walls defining the lower side of the gap are structured to be moved between a first position, wherein the gap is too narrow for the slider to pass, and a second position, wherein the gap is wide enough to allow the slider to pass the stop. Alternately, the back end of the channel may be open and the user may insert the new blade assembly via the open channel. In this alternate embodiment, the channel includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of stops or other locking devices that prevent the blade assembly from accidentally being removed via the channel back end. 
     The blade assembly may be inserted, via the front end or the back end of the channel, by hand. However, in a preferred embodiment, a blade assembly support device supports and positions one or more blades so that a user may install the blade assembly merely by pressing the handle into a blade compartment. That is, each blade compartment supports a blade assembly in a manner that allows the handle to be moved onto the blade assembly until the blade assembly is inserted within the channel. 
     To remove the blade assembly, the user may use a fixed surface, such as, but not limited to, an edge of a blade assembly receptacle, to engage the upper edge of the blade. When the upper edge of the blade is biased toward the lower side of the channel, i.e. when the blade upper edge is pushed against the fixed surface, the lower side of the channel is moved into the second position. At this point, the user may move the slider past the blocking member and allow the blade assembly to fall into the receptacle. Alternately, the handle may include a forward extension that protrudes over the blade when the blade is in the second position. The forward extension is flexible and allows the user to bias the upper edge of the blade toward the lower side of the channel without having the user touch the blade assembly. 
     The blade assembly, and more specifically the portion of the slider structured to be disposed with the channel, is configured to move the lower side of the channel into the second position during blade assembly insertion. That is, the back side of the blade assembly slider channel portion is shaped as a wedge having the narrow end at the back edge of the slider. In this configuration, when a user begins to insert a new blade assembly, the wedge-shaped portion of the slider causes the lower side of the channel to move into the second position. Preferably, new blade assemblies are stored in a “feeder” device that presents the back side of a single new blade assembly. The feeder has a storage bin and a coupling bay. The back side of a single new blade assembly is exposed in the coupling bay. When the exposed blade assembly is removed, a new blade assembly is moved, typically by gravity, from the bin into the coupling bay. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the retractable surgical blade device with the blade assembly in the withdrawn position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the retractable surgical blade device with the blade assembly in the cutting position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the handle assembly with the blade assembly removed and showing the second sidewall front end portion and said second flange front end portion in a first position in solid line and the second position in ghost. It is noted that the second position of the second sidewall front end portion and said second flange front end portion is greatly exaggerated for visibility. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the blade assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is another isometric view of the blade assembly from a different perspective. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the blade assembly disposed in the handle member. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a receptacle. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the retractable surgical blade device with the blade assembly removed and showing the second sidewall front end portion and said second flange front end portion in a first position in solid line and the second position in ghost. It is noted that the second position of the second sidewall front end portion and said second flange front end portion is greatly exaggerated for visibility. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the retractable surgical blade device with the blade assembly removed and showing the second sidewall front end portion and said second flange front end portion in a first position in solid line and the second position in ghost. It is noted that the second position of the second sidewall front end portion and said second flange front end portion is greatly exaggerated for visibility. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a blade assembly container. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a blade assembly stand. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the retractable surgical blade device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As used herein, directional descriptors such as, but not limited to, “front,” “back,” “forward,” and “rear” assume that the end of the closed channel retractable surgical blade device  10  from which the blade assembly  14  extends is the “front” end of the handle member  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a scalpel blade replacement system includes a surgical blade device  10  and at least one blade assembly container  200 . The surgical blade device  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , is a retractable surgical blade device  10  that includes a handle member  12  and a surgical blade assembly  14 . The handle member  12  has two portions: a front portion  11  and a back portion  13 . The surgical blade assembly  14  consists of a slider  16  to which a unitary surgical blade  18  is removably secured. The surgical blade assembly  14  is adapted for slidable movement in the handle member  12  and, more specifically, the handle member front portion  11 . That is, the blade assembly  14  may be moved between at least two positions in the handle member  12 ; a first, withdrawn position, wherein the blade assembly  14  is disposed within the handle and the blade  18  (discussed below) is not exposed; and a second, cutting position, wherein the blade assembly  14  is disposed at the front end  34  (discussed below) and the blade  18  is substantially exposed. 
     The surgical blade device  10  further includes a slider replacement assembly  80 . It is noted that some users may replace the slider  16  and then attach a surgical blade  18  thereto. More typically, however, the slider replacement assembly  80  is structured to allow a user to easily replace the blade assembly  14  and thereby allow the use of a new surgical blade  18 . The slider replacement assembly  80  relies upon the interaction of various components incorporated into the handle member front portion  11  and the slider  16 . That is, the slider replacement assembly  80  is not a discrete assembly or element. Accordingly, the components of the slider replacement assembly  80  will hereinafter be described in conjunction with other components on related elements. For example, the stop  36 , discussed below, will be described in conjunction with the handle member  12  as the stop  36  is disposed upon the handle member  12  and also serves functions not related to the slider replacement assembly  80 . Following the description of the components of the retractable surgical blade device  10 , the operation of the slider replacement assembly  80  will be described. It is noted that the following components are, or may be, part of the slider replacement assembly  80 : the stop  36 , the slider interconnecting intermediate portion  44 , the hinge slot  82 , the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86 . 
     The handle member  12  is, preferably, made from stainless steel. This allows the handle member  12  to be sterilized using traditional methods and provides a scalpel  10  with heft as many surgeons prefer. Further, stainless steel allows for the flexibility required for the slider replacement assembly  80 , as described below. The handle member  12  front portion  11  consists of a base wall  20 , two elongated generally parallel longitudinal sidewalls  22 ,  24 , as shown, a first, upper side wall  22  and second, lower sidewall  24 , and two elongated longitudinal flanges  26 ,  28 , a first and second flange, respectively. The sidewalls  22 ,  24  extend generally perpendicular from the longitudinal edges of the base wall  20 . Each flange  26  and  28  extends generally perpendicularly from the longitudinal edges of one of the sidewalls  22 ,  24  and over the base wall  20 . In this configuration, the handle member front portion  11  generally defines a longitudinal channel  30  having a cross-section shape not unlike a “C” formed from straight members at generally right angles, as shown in  FIG. 6  (discussed below). The handle member front portion  11 , therefore, defines a channel  30  in which the surgical blade assembly  14  is slidably movable. 
     Further, the first and second flanges  26 ,  28  each have a distal interior edge  27 ,  29  opposite sidewalls  22  and  24 , respectively. There is a gap  31  between the flange distal interior edges  27 ,  29 . It is noted that, while not part of this invention, just within one or more of the flange distal interior edges  27 ,  29  an axially extending hollow  35  may exist. On a flange distal interior edge  27 ,  29  along the length of the hollow  35 , an inwardly extending positioning tooth  33  may exist. Such a tooth  33  engages the slider  16  and, more specifically, engages a detent on the slider body  40 , discussed below. Thus, the positioning tooth  33  may assist in holding the slider  16 , and therefore the blade assembly  14 , in a predetermined location such as, but not limited to, a cutting position or a withdrawn position. 
     The handle member back portion  13  also includes the base wall  20  and the two elongated generally parallel longitudinal sidewalls  22  and  24  which extend generally perpendicularly from the longitudinal edges of the base wall  20 , as well as a front wall  32 . Front wall  32  extends between sidewalls  22  and  24  in a plane generally parallel to base wall  20 . The back portion front wall  32  may be joined with or integral to base wall  20 . That is, the handle member back portion  13  is generally solid and the channel  30  is closed off. In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8  and discussed below, the channel  30  extends through the handle member back portion  13  and is open at the handle member back portion  13 . As is known in the art, when the channel  30  extends through the handle member back portion  13 , there are a number of notches that act as a lock  25  to prevent the surgical blade assembly  14  from accidentally being removed via the handle member back portion  13 . That is, each lock  25  cooperates with a tab (not shown) or similar structure incorporated into the slider  16 . The tab is biased away from the base wall  20  and, when the slider is positioned at a lock  25 , the tab is biased into the lock. When the tab is in the lock, the slider  16  cannot be moved axially in the channel. To free the slider  16 , the user must overcome the bias of the tab and move the tab out of the lock  25 . This is typically accomplished by pressing the grip  49  (discussed below) toward the base wall  20 . 
     The handle member front portion  11  has a front end  34  which is open. That is, the channel  30  opens through the handle member front portion front end  34 . At the handle member front portion front end  34 , at least one, and as shown the upper flange distal interior edge  27 , includes a stop  36 . The stop  36  is disposed adjacent to, or at, the handle member front portion front end  34 . The stop  36  is an extension into the flange gap  31  and, as such, the stop  36  significantly narrows the flange gap  31 . The stop  36  has a inner edge  38  and a outer edge  39 . The stop inner edge  38  extends generally perpendicular to the upper flange distal interior edge  27 . The stop outer edge  39  is a wedge with the narrow end disposed closer to the handle member front portion front end  34 . As discussed below, the slider body intermediate portion  44  travels through the flange gap  31 . Thus, at the location of the stop  36 , the flange gap  31  is too narrow for the slider body intermediate portion  44  to pass therethrough, except as discussed below. 
     The handle base wall  20  includes a hinge slot  82  extending from the handle member front portion front end  34  rearwardly. The hinge slot  82  is, preferably, disposed adjacent to, and extending generally along, the second lower sidewall  24 . The portions of the second lower sidewall  24 , as well as the second flange  28 , disposed immediately adjacent to the hinge slot  82  are the second sidewall front end portion  84  and said second flange front end portion  86 . As described below, the hinge slot  82  is structured to allow the second sidewall front end portion  84  and said second flange front end portion  86  to flex away from the longitudinal axis of the handle member  12 . 
     The handle member front portion  11 , and more specifically the upper side wall  22 , may include an extension  19 . The extension  19  is, essentially, a continuation of the upper side wall  22  that protrudes from the handle member front portion  11  in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle member  12 . In this configuration, the extension  19  is a cantilever that extends over the path of travel of the blade assembly  14 . The extension  19  may include a finger stop  21 , which is a vertically extending tab  21 . The extension  19  may be flexed downwardly toward the path of travel of the blade assembly  14 . When the extension  19  is flexed downwardly, and when the blade assembly  14  is in the second, cutting position, the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  move into a second position, as described below. 
     As noted above, the surgical blade assembly  14  consists of a slider  16  to which a unitary surgical blade  18  is removably secured. The slider  16  is shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . The slider  16  includes a body  40  and a projection  60 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 5 , the center portion of the slider body  40  has a cross-sectional shape similar to an “I-beam” ( FIG. 6 ) consisting of a generally rectangular first portion  41 , a generally rectangular second portion  42  and an interconnecting intermediate portion  44 . The slider body  40  shape defines opposed first and second longitudinal slots  45 ,  46 . When the slider  16  is disposed within the handle channel  30 , flanges  26  and  28  engage into slots  45 ,  46 , respectively and cooperate to guide and maintain the blade assembly  14  in the channel  30 . That is, when the blade assembly  14  is coupled to the handle member  12  the slider body second portion  42 , and more specifically the channel member  50  (discussed below), is disposed in the channel  30 , while first portion  41  is disposed external to the channel  30 . Thus, the slider body intermediate portion  44  travels through the flange gap  31 . 
     In this configuration, the slider body first portion  41  may be elongated in an axial direction, i.e. the direction of travel of the slider  16 , to form a grip  49 . The grip  49  facilitates engaging and moving the surgical blade assembly  14  in the channel  30 . The grip  49  includes an engaging surface  47  which, preferably, has a central ridge  48  that further enhances the users engagement of the slider  16 . That is, the central ridge  48  provides a surface for the user to push or pull against when moving the slider  16 . 
     The slider body second portion  42  is also elongated in the axial direction and includes a channel member  50  and the slider projection  60 . The channel member  50  is the section of the slider body second portion  42  that extends rearwardly of the intermediate portion  44 . The channel member  50  is, preferably, a generally flat planar member having a thickness slightly less than the thickness of the channel  30 . Thus, when the channel member  50  is disposed in the channel  30 , the channel member  50  is loose enough to slide easily, but thick enough so that the slider  16  maintains an orientation substantially parallel to the plane of the channel  30 . That is, the channel member  50  is structured to resist “wobbling” while disposed within the channel  30 . It is further noted that the gaps between the channel member  50  and the handle member sidewalls  22 ,  24  and flanges  26 ,  28  are exaggerated as shown in  FIG. 6 . The channel member  50  has an upper side  51 , a lower side  52 , a back side  53 , an inward face  54 , and an outward face  55 . The intermediate portion  44  is coupled to the outward face  55 . When the channel member  50  is disposed in the channel  30 , the inward face  54  engages the handle member base wall  20 . The channel member outward face  55  may also include a positioning mount  56 . The positioning mount  56  is a construct that, when the slider  16  is disposed in the channel  30 , extends into the flange gap  31 . The positioning mount  56  defines a detent  57  which is structured to be engaged by the positioning tooth  33  that extends from the upper flange distal interior edge  27  (as shown). 
     The slider projection  60  is the section of the slider body second portion  42  that extends generally forward of the intermediate portion  44 . Thus, the slider projection  60  has a distal end (tip)  61  and a proximal end  63 . The slider projection proximal end  63  is directly coupled to, or may be formed as a unitary body with, the slider body second portion  42 . The slider projection  60  also includes a blade mount  62  that is structured to be coupled to a surgical blade  18 . That is, the surgical blade  18  is secured to the slider projection  60  as can best be seen in  FIG. 2 . The surgical blade  18  defines an aperture  64  which is disposed over, and preferably fixed to, blade mount  62  disposed on slider projection  60 . Preferably, the slider projection proximal end  63  has a greater height than the surgical blade  18  at the slider projection proximal end  63 . Further, the surgical blade  18  is preferably centered on the slider projection  60  so that, at the slider projection proximal end  63 , the slider projection  60  extends beyond the surgical blade  18  on both the upper and lower sides of the surgical blade  18 . In this configuration, the portion of the slider projection proximal end  63  that extend beyond the surgical blade  18  are identified as “hips”  65 . 
     The slider body intermediate portion  44  includes a front face  70 , an upper face  72 , a rearward extension  74  and a lower face  76 . The slider body intermediate portion upper face  72  and lower face  76  are generally parallel to each other and both extend generally in an axial direction. The slider body intermediate portion front face  70  extends generally perpendicular to, and between, the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72  and lower face  76 . The slider body intermediate portion  44  may include a generally flat rear face (not shown) that is generally parallel to the slider body intermediate portion front face  70 , however, the slider body intermediate portion  44  may have a wedge-like rearward extension  74 . That is, the rearward extension  74  tapers axially in a rearward direction. 
     The surgical blade  18  is a thin, elongated body  66  having a blunt upper edge  67  opposite a sharp cutting edge  68 . As noted above, the surgical blade  18  defines an aperture  64  which is disposed over, and preferably removably coupled to, the slider blade mount  62 . It is noted that the surgical blade aperture  64  is preferably structured to allow the blade  18  to be removed from the slider blade mount  62 . Thus, surgeons, who are known to have preferred blade manufacturers, may have their preferred brand of blades  18  coupled to each slider  16 . 
     When the slider  16  is disposed within the handle channel  30 , the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72  engages, or is immediately adjacent to, the upper flange distal interior edge  27 . Similarly, when the slider  16  is disposed within the handle channel  30 , the slider body intermediate portion lower face  76  engages, or is immediately adjacent to, the lower flange distal interior edge  29 . In this configuration, the slider  16  and therefore the surgical blade assembly  14 , is structured to move between the first, withdrawn position, wherein the surgical blade  18  is disposed within the channel  30 , and the second, cutting position, wherein the surgical blade  18  extends beyond the handle front end  34  and may be used for cutting. 
     It is noted that, when the slider  16  is moved to the handle front end  34 , the slider body intermediate portion front face  70  contacts the handle stop inner edge  38 . The handle stop inner edge  38  and the slider body intermediate portion front face  70  are generally parallel to each other and, as such, will not slide over each other when brought into contact. Accordingly, the handle stop inner edge  38  effectively prevents the slider  16  from moving past the channel  30  opening at the handle front end  34 , except as discussed below. 
     In this configuration, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the slider replacement assembly  80  is operable as follows. The slider replacement assembly  80  is structured to allow the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  to move between a first position, wherein the second sidewall front end portion  84  extends generally parallel to the first sidewall  22  and the second flange front end portion  86  extends generally parallel to the first flange  26 , and a second position, wherein the second sidewall front end portion  84  is angled away from the first sidewall  22  and the second flange front end portion  86  is angled away from to the first flange  26 , thereby increasing the width of the flange gap  31  at the handle front end  34 . As noted above, when the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  are in the normal first position, the flange gap  31  at the location of the stop  36  is too narrow for the slider body intermediate portion  44  to pass therethrough; however, when the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  are in the second position, wherein the flange gap  31  is wider, the slider body intermediate portion  44  may pass the stop  36  and the slider  16 , and therefore the blade assembly  14 , may exit the channel  30 . Thus, the blade assembly  14  is removable. 
     It is noted that the blade assembly  14  may be removed with one hand. That is, a user may position the blade assembly  14  in the cutting position, wherein the slider  16  is moved to the handle front end  34  and the blade  18  extends from the channel  30 . The user may then apply pressure, that is, a biasing force, to the blunt blade upper edge  67 . If the handle has an extension  19 , the user may apply pressure to the extension  19  which in turn acts upon the blade upper edge  67 . This force causes the slider  16  to be biased downwardly which, in turn, causes the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  to move into the second position. When the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  are in the second position, the user applies a forward bias to the slider grip  49  causing the slider  16 , and therefore the blade assembly  14 , to exit the channel  30 . It is noted that, unless the blade assembly  14  is being held, the blade assembly  14  will fall away at this point. Thus, a typical user will eject the blade assembly  14  over a biohazard waste container. 
     Alternately, a disposal receptacle  100  having an ejection device  102  may be used. The receptacle  100  has a body  104  defining an enclosed space  106  with an upper opening  108 . The ejection device  102  may include a fixed generally horizontal member  110 , such as, but not limited to a rod  112 , disposed over the upper opening  108 . With the blade assembly  14  in the cutting position, the user may bias the blade blunt upper edge  19  against the horizontal member  110 , and apply a forward bias to the slider grip  49  causing the slider  16 , and therefore the blade assembly  14 , to exit the channel  30 . At this point, the blade assembly  14  will fall into the disposal receptacle  100  through the upper opening  108 . 
     Insertion of a new blade assembly  14  is accomplished by moving a blade assembly  14 , and more specifically the slider body second portion  42 , into the channel  30 . In the embodiment of the handle member  12  having a solid handle member back portion  13 , the blade assembly  14  insertion must occur at the handle member front end  34 . If the handle member  12  has an open back portion  13 , blade assembly  14  insertion may occur via the open back portion  13 , as discussed below. Blade assembly  14  insertion at the handle member front end  34  is accomplished as follows. The blade assembly  14  is positioned at the handle member front end  34  with the slider body second portion  42  positioned in front of the channel  30  and the slider body intermediate portion  44  positioned in front of the flange gap  31 . The user then moves the blade assembly  14  rearwardly relative to the handle member  12 . As the blade assembly  14  moves into the channel  30 , the slider body intermediate portion  44  moves into the flange gap  31 . Once the slider body intermediate portion  44  engages the wedge-shaped stop outer edge  39 , any additional rearward movement of the blade assembly  14  causes the wedge-shaped stop outer edge  39  to apply a biasing force to the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72 . This bias is transferred through the slider body intermediate portion  44  which is also contacting the second flange front end portion  86 . Thus, the downward bias causes the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  to move into the second position, thereby allowing the slider body intermediate portion  44  to move past the stop  36 . Once the slider body intermediate portion  44  is past the stop  36 , the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  return to the first position and the new blade assembly  14  is captured within the channel  30 . Once the new blade assembly  14  is captured within the channel  30 , the new blade assembly  14  is, preferably, moved to the withdrawn position until it is needed. It is noted that the slider body intermediate portion rearward extension  74  may also be shaped as a wedge shape and structured to engage the stop outer edge  39 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the surgical blade device  10 , and more specifically the handle member  12 , has an open back portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 8 . That is, in this embodiment the channel  30  extends the entire length of the handle member  12 . Thus, the elements set forth above, namely the base wall  20 , two elongated generally parallel longitudinal sidewalls  22 ,  24 , the first, upper side wall  22  and second, lower sidewall  24 , and the two elongated longitudinal flanges  26 ,  28 , extend over the back portion  13  as well as the front portion  11 . Further, the back portion  13  may also include a second, slider replacement assembly  80 A. Other than the ramp  36 A detailed below, the elements of the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A are substantially similar to the elements of the front portion slider replacement assembly  80  described above and shall use similar reference numbers followed by the letter “A.” Further, descriptions using the word “front” shall, for the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A, use the word “back.” 
     While still similar, one notable difference between the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A and the front portion slider replacement assembly  80  is that, in the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A, there is no need for a stop  36 . That is, while the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A allows for the replacement of a surgical blade assembly  14 , because the surgical blade assembly  14  exits the channel  30  slider  16  first, there cannot be the equivalent of a cutting position for the surgical blade assembly  14 . As there is no cutting position associated with the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A, there is no need for a stop  36 . 
     Further, it is noted that the procedure for the removal of a surgical blade assembly  14  described above positions the blade assembly  14  in the cutting position prior to removal, i.e. with the blade extending from the channel  30  so that the user may bias the blunt blade upper edge  67 . As there is no cutting position associated with the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A, there is not a significant portion of the blade assembly  14  that is available for the user to bias the blade assembly downwardly when the blade assembly  14  is at the channel opening of the handle member back portion  13 . Thus, to open the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A, an inner ramp  36 A is used instead of the stop  36  of the front portion slider replacement assembly  80 . 
     Thus, the elements of the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A include a ramp  36 A, a slider interconnecting intermediate portion  44 , a hinge slot  82 A, second sidewall back end portion  84 A and a second flange back end portion  86 A. The ramp  36 A is disposed at the back end of the handle member back portion  13 . The ramp  36 A is an extension into the flange gap  31  and, as such, the ramp  36 A significantly narrows the flange gap  31 . The ramp  36 A has an inner edge  38 A and an outer edge  39 A. The ramp inner edge  38 A is a wedge with the narrow end disposed closer to the middle of the handle member  12 . The ramp outer edge  39 A is a wedge with the narrow end disposed at the back end of the handle member back portion  13 . As discussed above, the slider body intermediate portion  44  travels through the flange gap  31 . Thus, at the location of the ramp  36 A, the flange gap  31  is too narrow for the slider body intermediate portion  44  to pass therethrough, except as discussed below. 
     The handle base wall  20  includes a hinge slot  82 A extending from the back end of the handle member back portion  13  forwardly. The hinge slot  82 A is, preferably, disposed adjacent to, and extending generally along, the second lower sidewall  24 . The portions of the second lower sidewall  24 , as well as the second flange  28 , disposed immediately adjacent to the hinge slot  82 A are the second sidewall back end portion  84 A and the second flange back end portion  86 A. As described below, the hinge slot  82 A is structured to allow the second sidewall back end portion  84 A and said second flange back end portion  86 A to flex away from the longitudinal axis of the handle member  12 . 
     As before, when the slider  16  is disposed within the handle channel  30 , the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72  engages, or is immediately adjacent to, the upper flange distal interior edge  27 , and, the slider body intermediate portion lower face  76  engages, or is immediately adjacent to, the lower flange distal interior edge  29 . However, because the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A includes a ramp  36 A rather than a stop  38 , when the blade assembly  14  is moved rearwardly in the channel  30 , the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72  engages the wedge-like ramp inner edge  38 A. Further rearward movement of the blade assembly  14  causes the wedge-shaped ramp inner edge  38 A to apply a biasing force to the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72 . This bias is transferred through the slider body intermediate portion  44  which is also contacting the second flange front end portion  86 A. Thus, the downward bias causes the second sidewall back end portion  84 A and the second flange back end portion  86 A to move into the second position, thereby allowing the slider body intermediate portion  44  to move past the ramp  36 A. Once the slider body intermediate portion  44  is past the stop ramp  36 A, the blade assembly  14  has been removed and may be disposed. 
     Thus, similar to the front portion slider replacement assembly  80 , the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A is structured to allow the second sidewall back end portion  84 A and the second flange back end portion  86 A to move between a first position, wherein the second sidewall back end portion  84 A extends generally parallel to the first sidewall  22  and the second flange back end portion  86 A extends generally parallel to the first flange  26 , and a second position, wherein the second sidewall back end portion  84 A is angled away from the first sidewall  22  and the second flange back end portion  86 A is angled away from to the first flange  26 , thereby increasing the width of the flange gap  31  at the back end of the handle member back portion  13 . When the second sidewall back end portion  84 A and the second flange back end portion  86 A are in the normal first position, the flange gap  31  at the location of the ramp  36 A is too narrow for the slider body intermediate portion  44  to pass therethrough; however, when the second sidewall back end portion  84 A and the second flange back end portion  86 A are in the second position, the flange gap  31  is wider. Thus, the slider body intermediate portion  44  may pass the ramp  36 A and the slider  16 , and therefore the blade assembly  14 , may exit the channel  30 . Thus, the blade assembly  14  is removable via the handle member back portion  13 . In other respects, namely inserting a blade assembly, the back portion slider replacement assembly  80 A operates in a manner substantially similar to the front portion slider replacement assembly  80 , except, of course, the blade assembly  14  is moved forward into the channel  30 . 
     In another alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8A , the surgical blade device  10 , and more specifically the handle member  12 , has an open back portion  13 B without a second, slider replacement assembly  80 A. That is, in this embodiment the channel  30  extends the entire length of the handle member  12 . Thus, the elements set forth above, namely the base wall  20 , two elongated generally parallel longitudinal sidewalls  22 ,  24 , the first, upper side wall  22  and second, lower sidewall  24 , and the two elongated longitudinal flanges  26 ,  28 , extend over the back portion  13  as well as the front portion  11 . However, unlike the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, the back portion  13  is simply open so that a blade assembly  14  may be removed without impediment. Accidental removal of the blade assembly  14  is substantially prevented by a plurality of locks  25 , as described above. In this embodiment, the second flange  28  may be sloped at the handle member back portion  13 B. That is, the second flange  28  may have a diminishing height moving from the last rearward lock  25  of the handle member  12  toward the handle member back portion  13 B. This, in effect, increases the size of the gap  31  between the first and second flanges  26 ,  28 , thereby allowing the blade assembly  14  to be removed more easily. It is noted that the second flange  28  may have a diminishing height moving from the forward most lock  25  toward the handle member front end  34 . This also has the effect of increasing the size of the gap  31  between the first and second flanges  26 ,  28 . Thus, during the insertion of a new blade assembly  14 , as described above, the distance the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  must move to be in the second position is reduced. This, in turn, means that the force required to move these elements into the second position is reduced. 
     Because there is a chance of a user injuring themselves when handling an exposed blade assembly  14 , the process for insertion of a blade assembly  14  via the handle front end  34 , described above, may be further improved with a blade assembly container  200  which is preferably either a cartridge  210  or a blade assembly stand  220 , shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively. Generally, the cartridge  210 , which is preferably made of plastic, has the advantage of being able to be sterilized prior to use and may be sealed for storage. The cartridge  210  includes an elongated body  212  that defines a tube. The cartridge body  212  has at least one open end  214 . The cartridge body  212  has a sufficient length to enclose at least the surgical blade lower, cutting edge  68 . Thus, the cartridge body  212 , and more specifically the slider body first portion  41 , second portion  42  and interconnecting intermediate portion  44  are exposed. The cartridge body  212  is otherwise dimensioned to fit snugly about the slider projection  60  and preferably engages the slider body hips  66 . Preferably, the blade assembly  14  cannot wobble within the cartridge  210 . In this configuration, the surgical blade lower, cutting edge  68  is enclosed and the chance of a user accidentally cutting themselves while handling the blade assembly  14  within the cartridge  210  is substantially reduced. Thus, a user may simply grasp the cartridge  210  holding a blade assembly  14  and perform the insertion procedure as described above. 
     The blade assembly stand  220 , which is preferably made from stainless steel, is capable of being sterilized and may present the user with more than one blade assembly  14  at a time. The blade assembly stand  220 , preferably, has a base  222  with at least one tubular support  224  extending upwardly therefrom. Each support  224  has at least an open upper end  226  and is structured to hold a blade assembly  14 . That is, surgical support staff may remove a blade assembly  14  from a sterilized package (not shown) and place each blade assembly  14  in a support  224  prior to a surgery. As with the cartridge  210 , each support  224  has a sufficient length to enclose at least the surgical blade lower, cutting edge  68  while leaving the slider body  40  substantially exposed. Each support  224  is otherwise dimensioned to fit snugly about the slider projection  60  and preferably engages the slider body hips  66 . It is noted that the blade assembly stand  220  would not be used to insert a blade assembly via the handle member back portion  13  as, to have the blade assembly  14  inserted in the proper direction, the blade assembly  14  would be oriented with blade  18  upwardly in the blade assembly stand  220 . 
     To provide additional support, a support  224  may include an upward extension  228  extending from a portion of the tubular support  224 . The support extension  228  is preferably a construct extending over about one hundred and eighty degrees of the perimeter of a support upper end  226 . Preferably, the extension  228  is sized so as to snugly engage the upper and lower edges of the grip  49 . In this configuration, each support  224  may hold a blade assembly  14  in a substantially stationary position. That is, the blade assembly  14  is substantially resistant to wobbling in the support  224  and a user may quickly align an empty handle member  12  with the blade assembly  14  so that the blade assembly  14  may be quickly inserted. It is noted that a similar extension (not shown) may be included in the cartridge  210  described above. 
     As noted above, the handle member  12  is, preferably, made from a stainless steel. The rigidity of the steel is related to the length of the hinge slot  82 . That is, the hinge slot  82  must have an axial length sufficient to allow the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  to move into the second position wherein the flange gap  31  at the handle front end  34  is wide enough to allow the slider body intermediate portion upper face  72  to pass therethough. The hinge slot  82 , however, should not be so long as to allow the second sidewall front end portion  84  and the second flange front end portion  86  to accidentally move into the second position. It is noted that handle members  12  made from different materials, such as, but limited to, plastic, may have hinge slots  82  with different lengths than those identified above. 
     It is further noted that, with this simple design, the slider replacement assembly  80  is operable without additional components, such as, but not limited to, a bifurcated handle as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,892, wherein more than the blade assembly  14  must be replaced or other complicated devices that provide multiple surfaces, especially surfaces within the channel  30  but which do not define the channel  30 , wherein blood may cling or close surfaces wherein blood/flesh may become trapped. That is, the channel  30  of the surgical blade device  10  does not have any surface within the channel  30  that does not define the channel  30 . Such additional surfaces are not conducive to an easily sterilized instrument. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.