Abstract: A safety scalpel blade assembly comprising a scalpel blade, a guard which extends at least about the cutting edge of the blade, and releasable attachments device which releasably attach the blade to the guard as the assembly is being attached to the scalpel handle, thereby preventing the blade from cutting a person, but which releases the blade from the guard when the blade is attached to the blade carrier of the scalpel handle.

Abstract: A one way valve assembly has an inlet and an outlet, the inlet forming one end of a tubular passageway, a valve member which is slideable along the tubular passageway between a closed position where fluid is unable to flow through the valve assembly, and an open position, the valve member having an outer end and an inner end, and biasing means to bias the valve member to the closed position, characterized in that when the valve member is in the closed position, the outer end is substantially at the inlet of the valve assembly to close of the tubular passageway and to allow the inlet area to be sterilized.