Abstract: A blade assembly for a surgical scalpel that includes a blade carrier with a blade attached one end thereof. A protective cover covers the blade and blade holder. The blade carrier has a detent and the protective cover has a latch in releasable engagement with the detent to hold the protective covering in a protecting position covering said blade assembly and said blade. Also a surgical scalpel is disclosed which comprises a handle having two prongs extending from one end thereof, one of said prongs being resilient, the other of said prongs having a latching tooth at its distal end, A disposable blade assembly includes a blade carrier having a surgical blade attached thereto. The blade carrier has a surface defining a window with a shoulder into which said prongs extend with said latching tooth engaging said shoulder when said handle is inserted into said blade carrier.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel assembly includes a blade carrier, a blade, a protective sleeve and a handle. The blade carrier has a number of notches and the protective sleeve has a depending tooth. The user positions the sleeve relative to the blade carrier and/or the handle by positioning the tooth to engage the notches. The blade carrier, blade, and protective sleeve are pre-assembled as a cartridge. A high volume yet safe method of assembly is also described.

Abstract: A miniature scalpel comprising a carrier having a front portion rigidly securing a projecting blade and pivotally securing the back portion of a shield that projects alongside and covers one side of the blade. The front portion of the shield can be pivoted 180 degrees away from the blade into lateral alignment with the back portion of the carrier, thereby forming a handle for the exposed blade. Detent formations can be provided on the carrier and shield, for mating as the handle is formed. The carrier shield can easily be separated from the carrier at the detent, for pivoting back to the closed position.