Abstract: A scalpel is provided having a handle, a plastic blade carrier, and a scalpel blade secured to the blade carrier. The blade carrier is preferably sufficiently transparent to enable at least the shape of a blade secured to a flat face thereof to be visible from the opposite side of the blade carrier. Preferably, the blade carrier is made of a clear plastic material that may be colourless or tinted. The scalpel blade may be a fixed scalpel blade in which the blade carrier is integral with the handle. Alternatively, the scalpel blade may be retractable into a hollow handle that is also preferably sufficiently transparent to enable at least the shape of the scalpel blade to be visible through the wall of the handle.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided having a handle with a longitudinally extending cavity therein, and a blade carrier movable longitudinally within the cavity relative to the handle between an operative position in which a blade carried thereby is in an extended position in which it is exposed for use at an open end of the cavity and a retracted inoperative position in which a blade carried thereby is retracted within the cavity in the handle. The blade carrier is movable by means of a manually operable slider attached to it by way of a slot in a wall of the handle. The slider is of generally channel shape in cross-section so as to have a web section that bridges an edge of the handle and a flange section located one on each side of the handle so that the slider is operable, by the operative engagement of a thumb or finger therewith, from the top of the scalpel handle as well as from either side thereof.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided having a handle with a longitudinally extending cavity therein, a blade carrier within the cavity and movable longitudinally relative to the handle between an operative position in which a blade carried thereby is exposed for use at an open end of the cavity and an inoperative position in which a blade carried thereby is retracted within the cavity in the handle, and a manually operable slider associated with the blade carrier and passing through a slot in a wall of the handle at an edge thereof, herein termed the top edge. The handle is moulded as a single piece moulding with an integral bridge defining an endless open end to the cavity through which the blade carrier is introduced into the cavity. The slider is formed as a separate part that snap fits to the blade carrier after its introduction through the open end of the cavity to form a blade carrier and slider assembly.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided having a handle with a longitudinally extending cavity therein, a blade carrier within the cavity and movable longitudinally relative to the handle between an operative position in which a blade carried thereby is exposed for use at an open end of the cavity and an inoperative position in which a blade carried thereby is retracted within the cavity in the handle, and a manually operable slider associated with the blade carrier and passing through a slot in a wall of the handle at an edge thereof, herein termed the top edge. The handle is moulded as a single piece moulding with an integral bridge defining an endless open end to the cavity through which the blade carrier is introduced into the cavity. The slider is formed as a separate part that snap fits to the blade carrier after its introduction through the open end of the cavity to form a blade carrier and slider assembly.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided having a handle with a longitudinally extending cavity therein, a blade carrier within the cavity and movable longitudinally relative to the handle between an operative position in which a blade carried thereby is exposed for use at an open end of the cavity and an inoperative position in which a blade carried thereby is retracted within the cavity in the handle, and a manually operable slider associated with the blade carrier and passing through a slot in a wall of the handle at an edge thereof, herein termed the top edge. The handle is moulded as a single piece moulding with an integral bridge defining an endless open end to the cavity through which the blade carrier is introduced into the cavity. The slider is formed as a separate part that snap fits to the blade carrier after its introduction through the open end of the cavity to form a blade carrier and slider assembly.