Patent ID: 8114103

Claim:
A scalpel comprising: a handle having a first end and a second end providing a gripping area therebetween adapted to be gripped adjacent the palm of a surgeon's hand and a blade receiver on a terminus of the first handle end for receiving a blade having a cutting edge; and a blade guard assembly including: an elongate inner housing having a closed peripheral wall providing a passage through the inner housing, the inner housing receiving and surrounding the handle in the palm gripping area intermediate the first and second handle ends, the inner housing extending from the palm gripping area toward the blade receiver and terminating short of the blade receiver, the inner housing being removably attached to the handle independently of the blade receiver and the blade receiver being attached to the handle independently of the inner housing, an outer housing surrounding at least a portion of the inner housing, and a blade guard mounted between the inner and outer housings and slidable in relation to both the inner and outer housings between a first position exposing the blade edge and a second position shielding the blade edge.