Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 22nd May, 1888
Complete Accepted. 22nd June. 1888
A communication from JANUARIO FIGUEIRA DA SILVA, of Camara de Lobos, in the
Island of Madeira.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
A projectile which traverses sensitive tissues shortly after leaving the gun does not
cause pain because in order that a painful sensation may be experienced it is necessary
that the exciting cause should last for some time. If therefore a bisioury can be made
to penetrate the flesh with the same rapidity the incision will not be painful.
The apparatus sought to be patented is destined to fulfil this object.
The apparatus consists preferably of a rectangular box furnished with a lid perfectly
fitted and screwed thereto. The whole of the working parts and the fly wheel are
supported by the lid whilst the gear wheels serving to impart movement to the same
are mounted in bearings on the bottom of the box.
The mechanism consists of a slide capable of sliding longitudinally in a double
guide which is fixed. To the under side of this slide are jointed two connecting rods
one of which is jointed to a crank attached to a main pinion and the other one to the
crank of the fly wheel. It follows from this arrangement that when the pinion
is set in rotation the slide receives a reciprocatory motion and the fly wheel a rotary
motion.
Upon the slide is jointed a catch the vertical part of which traverses the slot between
the double guides. This catch is bent at right angles at its lower part so that the
latter is horizontal and rests upon a block. The latter presents a horizontal plane and
also an inclined plane on its upper side; it is rivetted to two arms which are hinged
to the lid and held in position by a spring. The mechanism comprises also a horizontal
slide-bar capable of moving longitudinally in two guides. In this slide bar is formed
a rectangular notch or recess and attached to the bar is a horizontal tail-piece

page_text: provided with a vertical stud and a projection having two faces inclined in opposite
directions. The slide bar also carries a horizontal arm the free end of which is formed
with an incline.
Upon the slide bar are screwed four parallel guides which with the horizontal bar
form a rectangular frame. The guide pieces and likewise another set leave between
them a space in which the knife carrier is free to move vertically, the carrier being
grooved to receive the guide pieces. To ensure the knife carrier being constantly
horizontal whatever its position in the frame it is provided with two guide plates
which slide in mortices formed in the bar. To the knife carrier is fixed a screwed rod
passing through the bar and surrounded by a spiral spring. The rod is provided
with a nut which serves to put more or less tension on the spring. To the knife
carrier is fixed a lug which projects from the face thereof towards the fly wheel. The
knife or bistoury is fixed by binding screws to the end of the carrier and can be
adjusted according to the depth that is required to be given to the incision.
Besides the parts already referred to the lid carries screwed upon it two inclined
planes with which the incline formed on the catch come in contact alternately as will
be hereinafter explained.
The mechanism for throwing the knife into or out of gear consists of a horizontal
rod carrying a spiral spring and working in guides. This rod is jointed to a finger
the end of which is in the form of a triangular or wedge shaped shoe which when the
apparatus is out of action rests upon the block.
The movement of the rod is controlled by a bar attached thereto and connected
with a button or stud placed on the exterior of the apparatus. This button can be
moved longitudinally so that when the operator presses upon it with his finger
he causes the rod to recede and at the same time compresses the spiral spring.
The fly wheel carries on its rim a tappit capable of turning about its centre through
an angle limited by stop pieces which oppose themselves to the rod fixed to the
tappet.
As above stated the box carries only the driving gear comprising four toothed
wheels and three pinions. The principal wheel is set in motion by the operator by
means of a key this wheel imparts rotation to the pinion and therefore to the wheel
formed integral therewith. The wheel communicates the movement to another pinion
and wheel which transmit it to another pinion and wheel. Finally this last wheel sets
in rotation the main pinion which is thus, in consequence of the multiplication of
gearing driven at a great speed and actuates all the parts of the apparatus.
The method of working.
The operator with his left hand holds the handle of the apparatus which he fixes to
the inside of the fore-arm by a strap. He then with the right hand turns the key and
in consequence the whole series of gear wheels as well as the main pinion. The
crank being keyed along with the latter gives a rapid reciprocatory movement to the
slide through the connecting rod. The second connecting rod receives a similar
movement and so causes the fly wheel to turn in the direction indicated.
In its to and fro longitudinal movement the slide carries along with it the catch
one part of which slides upon the block which prevents it from falling into the recess
of the slide bar. If therefore by some means the block is pushed aside the catch will
fall into the recess and carry the guide bar along with it in its movement, and in
consequence the bistoury fixed thereto. This result is obtained in the following
manner :-
The operator presses with one of the fingers of the hand which grasps the handle
upon the button the result being that the rod acted on by the intermediate rod is
pressed to one side at the same time compressing the spiral spring. The shoe being
no longer sustained by the block falls under the influence of the spring upon the tail
piece. The operator releases the button and the shoe impelled by the spring which
expands interposes itself between the rod of the slide bar and the block, the slide bar
being immovable serves as a fulcrum and the block is pushed aside the result being
that the catch being no longer sustained a part thereof engages in the recess of the slide
bar and carries the latter along with it. To ensure this movement which might fail

page_text: in consequence of the quick motion of the parts, two inclined planes are arranged
fixed to the lid; the catch brings its inclined plane in contact with the plane, the
catch is slightly depressed and on its return movement to the left its inclined plane
passes under the other plane and comes in contact therewith which ensures the intro-
duction of the part into the channel.
The catch returns towards the right accompanied by the slide bar as well as the
parts which are fixed thereto. The tail piece being in motion the shoe becomes free of
the stud and is immediately raised by the projection with inclined faces. The block
being liberated returns to its original position firstly under the action of a spring and
afterwards under that of the arm of which the inclined plane comes in contact with
the arms and therefore with the block which, returned to its position continues to
support the shoe.
The slide having arrived at the end of its course towards the right returns towards
the left. The slide bar (and therefore the bistoury) remains motionless during the
time that the catch travels across the channel. As soon as the part reaches the heel
the slide bar returns towards the loft. The part meets the inclined part of the block
(returned to its position as just explained) and the catch is raised and resumes its
place upon the horizontal part of the block as before the commencement of the
operation.
It results as will be seen from the explanations given, that when the button is
operated the slide bar is projected forward and withdrawn once only whatever may bo
the rapidity of the movement. If therefore the slide bar is armed with a bistoury
the latter will make only one penetration. It remains to be seen how the incision is
made lengthwise. For this purpose the fly wheel carries on its inner face the tappet
which at the moment that the slide bar has finished its forward course and is about to
commence its return that is to say, at the moment when it is immovable, comes in
contact with a lug fixed on the knife carrier. The latter guided by rods as well as by
bars descends parallel with its first position until the tappet escapes from the lug.
The tappet is mounted so as to be able to turn easily on its centre in order that it may
rest perfectly flat upon the lug whatever may be the position of the fly wheel.
the moment when the lug is released by the tappet the slide bar is drawn back and
the knife carrier rises under the action of the spiral spring on the screwed rod.
There is a hole in the box opposite the bistoury to admit of the passage of the
blade.
At
:
ንገ 1 1
1002

page_text: M.I.M.E. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to he particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
A projectile which traverses sensitive tissues shortly after leaving the gun does not
cause pain because, in order that a painful sensation may be experienced it is neces-
sary that the exciting cause should last for some time. If therefore a bistoury can
be made to penetrate the flesh with the same rapidity the incision will not be
painful.
The instrument or apparatus sought to be patented is destined to fulfil this object.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section on the line c, d of Fig. 3 showing the mechanism
in all its details.
Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section on the line e, f of Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line a, b of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 represents a transverse section on the line g, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 represents the engaging and disengaging mechanism in perspective.
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line i, j of Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line k,l of Fig. 1.
The apparatus consists preferably of a rectangular box A furnished with a lid A¹
perfectly fitted and screwed thereto. The whole of the working parts and the fly wheel
are supported by the lid A¹ whilst the gear wheels serving to impart movement to
the same are mounted in bearings on the bottom of the box A.
The mechanism consists of a slide B capable of sliding longitudinally in a double
guide which is fixed. To the underside of this slide are jointed two connecting
rods one of which B is jointed to a crank Dattached to the pinion D and the other
one B2 to the crank of the fly wheel V. It follows from this arrangement that when
the pinion D is set in rotation the slide B receives a reciprocatory motion and the
fly-wheel a rotary motion.
Upon the slide B is jointed a catch E the vertical part of which traverses the slot
between the double guides ( This catch is bent at right angles at its lower part E'
so that the latter is horizontal and rests upon the block F. The latter, the form of
which is shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 presents a horizontal plane and also an inclined
plane on its upper side; it is rivetted to two arms F¹ which are hinged to the lid A¹
and held in position by a spring F2. The mechanism comprises also a horizontal slide-

page_text: bar G capable of moving longitudinally in two guides G and G. In this slide bar
is formed a rectangular notch or recess H and attached to the bar is a horizontal tail-
piece J provided with a vertical stud I and a projection J' having two faces inclined
in opposite directions. The slide bar also carries a horizontal arm K the free end of
which is formed with an incline (see fig. 5).
Upon the slide bar Gare screwed four parallel guides m, m³, n, n', which with the
horizontal bar o form a rectangular frame. The guide pieces m m' and likewise
those n, n' leave between them a space in which the knife carrier M is free to move
vertically, the carrier being grooved to receive the guide pieces m, m³ and n, n'.
To ensure the knife carrier M being constantly horizontal whatever its position in the
frame it is provided with two guide plates N N which slide in mortices formed in
the bar o. To the knife carrier M is fixed a screwed rod L passing through the
bar o and surrounded by a spiral spring. The rod L is provided with a nut L which
serves to put more or less tension on the spring. To the knife carrier is fixed a
lug M which projects from the face thereof towards the fly wheel. The knife or
bistoury P is fixed by binding screws to the end of the carrier M and can be adjusted
according to the depth that is required to be given to the incision.
Besides the parts already referred to the lid A' carries screwed upon it two inclined
planes O¹ and O2 with which the incline O formed on the catch E come in contac
alternately as will be hereinafter explained.
The mechanism for throwing the knife into or out of gear consists of a horizontal
rod carrying a spiral spring g' and working in guides Q and Q. This rod is
jointed to a finger R the end of which is in the form of a triangular or wedge
shaped shoe R which when the apparatus is out of action rests upon the block F.
The movement of the rod Q is controlled by a bar T attached thereto and connected
with a button or stud T¹ placed on the exterior of the apparatus. This button can
he moved longitudinally so that when the operator presses upon it with his finger he
causes the rod Q to recede and at the same time compresses the spiral spring
The fly wheel V carries on its rim a tappet V1 capable of turning about its centre
through an angle limited by the stop pieces and v² which oppose themselves to
the rod fixed to the tappet.
As above stated the box A carries only the driving gear comprising four toothed
wheels and three pinions. The principal wheel is set in motion by the operator by
means of a key S; this wheel rimparts rotation to the pinion p and therefore to the
wheel formed integral therewith. The wheel ¹ communicates the movement to the
pinion and to the wheel which transmit it to the pinion p2 and to the wheel ³.
Finally this last wheelsets in rotation the pinion D which is thus, in consequence
of the multiplication of gearing driven at a great speed and actuates all the parts of
the apparatus. The method of working:
The operator with his left hand holds the handle A2 of the apparatus which he
fixes to the inside of the fore-arm with the strap U. He then with the right hand
turns the key S and in consequence the whole series of gear wheels as well as the
pinion D. The crank D1 being keyed along with the latter gives a rapid recipro-
catory movement to the slide B through the connecting rod B. The connecting
rod B receives a similar movement and so causes the fly wheel V to turn in the
direction indicated by the arrow.
In its to-and-fro longitudinal movement the slide B carries along with it the
catch E the part E' of which slides upon the block F which prevents it from falling
into the recess H of the slide bar G. If therefore by some means the block F is
pushed aside the catch E will fall into the recess H and carry the guide bar G along
with it in its movement and in consequence the bistoury P fixed thereto. This result
is obtained in the following manner :-
The operator presses with one of the fingers of the hand which grasps the handle A²
upon the button T the result being that the rod Q acted on by the intermediate rod T
is pressed towards the left of the drawing at the same time compressing the spiral
spring . The shoe R' being no longer sustained by the block F falls under the
influence of the spring y upon the tail picce J. The operator releases the button T

page_text: and the shoe R' impelled by the spring which expands interposes itself between
the rod I of the slide bar G and the block F, the slide bar being immovable serves
as a fulcrum and the block F is pushed aside the result being that the catch E being no
longer sustained the part E thereof engages in the recess H of the slide bar Gand
carries the latter along with it. To ensure this movement which might fail in conse-
quence of the quick motion of the parts I have arranged two inclined planes 01 and 0°
fixed to the lid A.; the catch E travelling towards the right of the drawing brings its
inclined plane e in contact with the plane O2, the catch E is slightly depressed and on
its return movement to the left its inclined plane O passes under the plane O' and
comes in contact therewith which ensures the introduction of the part E¹ into the
channel H.
The catch E returns towards the right accompanied by the slide bar & as well as
the parts J and K which are fixed thereto. The tail piece J being in motion the shoe R¹
becomes free of the stud I and is immediately raised by the projection with inclined
faces J. The block F being liberated returns to its original position firstly under the
action of the spring F and afterwards under that of the arm K of which the inclined
plane comes in contact with the arms and therefore with the block F which,
returned to its position, continues to support the shoe R¹.
The slide B having arrived at the end of its course towards the right returns towards
the left. The slide bar G (and therefore the bistoury P) remains motionless during
the time that the catch E travels across the channel H. As soon as the part E' reaches
the heel the slide bar G returns towards the left. The part E' meets the inclined
part of the block F (returned to its position as just explained) and the catch E is
raised and resumes its place upon the horizontal part of the block F as before the com-
mencement of the operation.
It results as will be seen from the explanations given, that when the button T is
operated the slide bar G is projected forward and withdrawn once only whatever may
be the rapidity of the movement. If therefore the slide bar G is armed with a
bistoury the latter will make only one penetration. It remains to be seen how the
incision is made lengthwise. For this purpose the fly wheel V carries on its inner face
the tappet which at the moment that the slide bar G has finished its forward course
and is about to commence its return, that is to say, at the moment when it is immovable,
comes in contact with the lug M¹ fixed on the knife carrier M. The latter guided by
the rods m, m¹ and n, n' as well as by the bars N and N¹ descends parallel with its
first position until the tappet V1 escapes from the lug M. The tappet V is mounted
so as to be able to turn easily on its centre in order that it may rest perfectly flat upon
the lug M whatever may be the position of the fly wheel. At the moment when the
lug M is released by the tappet V the slide bar G is drawn back and the knife carrier
rises under the action of the spiral spring on the screwed rod L. There is a hole in the
box opposite the bistoury to admit of the passage of the blade.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A surgical instrument designed to make incisions without causing pain in which
the knife is rapidly projected and withdrawn substantially as described.
2. In a surgical instrument such as described a rectangular box A which the operator
holds with one hand, and containing multiplying gear wheels which he turns by means
of a key held in the other hand, which gear wheels actuate by means of rods and
cranks a fly wheel V and a slide B, the latter carrying a working catch E which at a
determined moment falls into the recess H of the slide bar G and imparts to it and
also to the bistoury P a single rapid to-and-fro movement substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3: In a surgical apparatus such as described a system of engagement and
disengagement composed of a spring rod Q which the operator when about to make
the incision draws back by pressing with the finger upon the button T' in such
manner that at the moment he releases the button the angle R₁ introduces itself

page_text: between the fixed piece I and the support F in order that the catch E can fall into the
recess and carry with it the slide bar G substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a surgical instrument such as described a hinged spring support F provided
with an inclined plane and disposed in such a way that when the catch E, after having
projected the slide bar G forward, returns, it will be obliged to mount this inclined plane
which causes it to leave the recess H and prevents it from giving a second stroke
to the bistoury substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
5. In a surgical instrument such as described a bistoury carrier M capable of rising
and falling vertically in a frame fixed to the slide bar G and furnished with a spring
rod L with a screw for regulating the pressure; this bistoury carrier M possessing also
a lug upon which when the bistoury is completely projected strikes the tappet V1
of the fly wheel V in order to make the bistoury descend vertically and continue the
incision lengthwise, the whole constructed and operated substantially in the manner and
for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Datad this 18th day of M.. 1000