Patent GB-717224-A (GB)
Title: Dermatomes
Inventor: ARDEN THOMAS RAYMOND
IPC: A61B17/322
Filed: 1952-11-06
Abstract: 717,224. Dermatomes. BARD-PARKER CO., Inc. Nov. 6, 1952, No. 28021/52. Class 81(2) A dermatome comprises a body member with a cylindrical working surface to roll in contact with the skin and a blade carrier member mounted to rotate relative to the body member about the axis of the working surface, coupling means supported by one of the members being provided between the body member and the blade carrier member to limit the relative rotational movement between the members in either direction within an angular range in excess of 330 degrees. The body member 28 comprises a cylindrical working surface 31, integral or fastened to side plates 29, 30,. a sleeve 37 along the axis the working surface 31 connecting the plates 29, 30. A yoke 36 carrying a blade 53 is fixed to a shaft 44, 46 which passes through the sleeve 37 within which it may be rotated by a handle 45. A sleeve portion 40 within the sleeve 37 is secured against movement relative to the sleeve 37 by a pin 37a and carries a stop member 41. A second sleeve 64 carrying a stop 65 is also mounted within the sleeve 37 and is secured against rotational movement relative to the shaft 44 by interengagement of a keyway 48 in the shaft and a rib 66 on the sleeve, reciprocatory movement between the sleeve 64 and shaft 44 being permitted. A third sleeve member 61 is disposed within the sleeve 37 between the first and second sleeves 40, 64 and is rotatable relative to both the yoke 36 and the body member 28, a stop lug 62, 63 being provided at each end for engagement with the stop member 41 on the first sleeve 40 and the stop lug 65 on the second sleeve 64. The stop members 41, 62, 63 and 65 are so dimensioned and located that on making a working stroke (in an anticlockwise direction on Fig. 1) the yoke 36 is :arrested when the blade 53 reaches the rear edge 42 of the working surface 31. If the yoke 36 is then rotated in the opposite direction (clockwise on Fig. 1) it will again be arrested after traversing an angle of 480 degrees. Prior to and immediately following, the taking of a skin-graft, the device is mounted on a rod 24 of a stand 21 and is secured from rotation thereon by a stud 25 and a latch 26. A rest 27 for the yoke 36 is provided. With the device supported on the stand 21, a skin-graft transfer element 57 of "Dennatape" is secured to a spool 56 at the rear of the working surface 31 while the yoke 36 is supported by the rest 27 and is secured by a clamp 55 at the front of the working surface 31 when the yoke 36 has been rotated in a clockwise direction according to Fig. 1 so that it hangs below the working surface. The spool 56 enables the skingraft transfer element 57 to be tightened over the working surface 31. Similar procedure is adopted for the removal of the skin-graft transfer element 57. In order to obtain a skin-graft, while the yoke 36 rests against the support 27 the surgeon grasps the sleeve 37 with the left hand and using the handle 45 moves the yoke 36 so that it is supported by his wrist. After removing the device from the stand 21, the yoke 36 is simultaneously rotated in an anticlockwise direction (according to Fig. 1) and laterally reciprocated by the handle 45 over the working surface 31 to obtain the skin-graft. The yoke 36 is arrested by interengagement of stop lugs on the sleeves 40, 61 and 64 when it reaches the rear edge 42 of the working surface 31. The device is then returned to the stand 21 for removal of the skingraft transfer element 57.