Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The scalpel has a cartridge removably mounted to the handle that has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end. There is a blade fixedly attached to blade holder disposed so that the blade projects distally outwardly when the cartridge is mounted on the handle. The cartridge also has a shield with a proximal end, a distal end and a bottom mounted onto the blade holder. The shield is slidably movable between a distal position where the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position where the shield substantially surrounds a portion of the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The cartridge is releasably mountable to the handle and has elements for substantially preventing movement of the shield with respect to the blade holder unless the cartridge is mounted on the handle.

Abstract: A scalpel of the present invention includes an elongate handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The scalpel of the invention further includes a cartridge that is removably mounted to the handle. The cartridge has blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end with a blade fixedly attached that is disposed so that the blade projects distally outwardly when the cartridge is mounted to the handle. The cartridge also includes a shield that is slidably mounted onto the blade holder for movement between a distal position where the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position where the shield substantially surrounds a portion of the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The cartridge is releasably mountable on the handle. The shield is substantially prevented from movement to the proximal position unless the cartridge is mounted on the handle and not dismountable from the handle unless the shield is in the distal position.