Abstract: A guarded surgical scalpel is provided with manually-manipulatable means carried by the scalpel for, first, securely mounting a surgical blade on the scalpel and, second, subsequently de-mounting the surgical blade off the scalpel, the de-mounting being essentially in a “hands free” environment; that is, it is not necessary to touch the used blade for its removal. Additionally, the scalpel may be quickly disassembled for cleaning and/or sterilization following a surgical procedure in the operating room (“O.R.”) of a hospital, clinic or physician's office.

Abstract: A surgical blade package facilitates the mounting of a surgical blade on to the forwardly-projecting cleat on a scalpel handle; and following use in the O.R., the surgical blade package facilitates stripping the used blade off the scalpel for disposal in a sharps container. The cleat is inserted beneath the rear end portion of the blade, and between the blade and the bottom wall of the blade package; and forward and upward movement of the scalpel snaps the blade on to the scalpel in a continuous movement. The opposite procedure is used to demount the used blade from the scalpel and encase it in the original blade package for disposal in a sharps container.

Abstract: A surgical blade package facilitates the mounting of a surgical blade on to the forwardly-projecting cleat on a scalpel handle; and following use in the O.R., the surgical blade package facilitates stripping the used blade off the scalpel for disposal in a sharps container. The cleat is inserted beneath the rear end portion of the blade, and between the blade and the bottom wall of the blade package; and forward and upward movement of the scalpel snaps the blade on to the scalpel in a continuous movement. The opposite procedure is used to demount the used blade from the scalpel and encase it in the original blade package for disposal in a sharps container.

Abstract: A kit for installing a central line in a patient includes a guarded finger scalpel, a needle with a guide wire, and a catheter. The guarded finger scalpel has a blade with a relatively blunt tip, thereby avoiding an accidental or inadvertent cut or nick of the patient's vein in the process of enlarging the puncture in the patient's skin previously made by needle.

Abstract: A surgical blade package includes a molded piece and a surgical blade mechanically restrained thereon, forming a subassembly, and this subassembly is received within a pouch. The pouch includes a base opaque paper and an upper transparent plastic "blister" sealed together. The method of manufacturing the surgical blade package includes the steps of providing a molded piece and a surgical blade, attaching the surgical blade onto the molded piece, such that the surgical blade is restrained mechanically, providing a pouch or other container receiving the molded piece and the surgical blade attached thereto, sealing the container, and sterilizing the container with the surgical blade and molded piece therein.

Abstract: A blade package for a surgical scalpel includes a base supporting a blade and retaining the blade against movement in the package, thereby preventing inadvertent dulling of the blade, and a thin film is bonded to the base and covers the blade. This film has a tab for rupturing the film and tearing it away from the base, thereby exposing the blade for subsequent mounting on to the scalpel handle. Preferably, the film is transparent, so that the blade is visible within the blade package.

Abstract: A combination guarded surgical scalpel and blade stripper (200, 300) uses the sliding guard (202, 301) in cooperation with an ejector button (238, 311) to strip a (used) blade (224, 314) from the scalpel (200, 300) thereby avoiding manual contact with the blade (224, 314) and the problems associated therewith.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel (100) is provided with a retractable guard (107) for its cutting blade (106). The guard (107) is mounted on the handle (101) of the scalpel (100) for sliding movement between an advanced position in which the blade (106) is covered and a retracted position in which the blade (106) is exposed. The guard (107) may be moved with one hand, and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient or the instrumentation during a surgical procedure. A two-position resiliently-biased manually-releasable detent means (113) is provided between the handle (101) and the guard (107). A closed longitudinal slot (122, 123) on the guard (107) cooperates with a pin (121) on the handle (101) to limit the sliding movement of the guard (107) independently of the detent action therebetween and accommodates the mechanical loading forces.

Abstract: A guarded finger scalpel is squeezed between the thumb and forefinger to advance a blade out of an opening. The blade is used to make an incision in the patient's skin, thereby facilitating insertion of a catheter and its line in a patient. Thereafter, the manual pressure is released, and the blade is automatically retracted. This prevents inadvertent or accidental nicks or cuts and hence eliminates or, at least, substantially reduces the exposure to the AIDS virus or other infectious diseases. A lock-off means is employed, subsequent to the surgical procedure, to prevent further blade exposure during clean-up and disposal.

Abstract: A blade package assembly assures that a blade may be mounted on a surgical scalpel easily, conveniently and safely during a surgical procedure in an operating room. The assembly includes a base and a pivoted cover. The base supports a blade, and the cover at least partially encloses the blade. A pin on the base is received in a hole in the blade, and a ledge on the base supports the rear end portion of the blade. The scalpel has a forwardly-extending cleat received in a slot on the blade, and the scalpel with the blade mounted thereon may be lifted up and away to clear the package.

Abstract: A sterile blade dispenser facilitates removal of dulled used blades, as well as the mounting of sharp unused blades, on a scalpel during a surgical procedure being conducted in an operating room or similar environment. Preferably, the scalpel has a sliding retractable guard, and the combination of the guarded scalpel and the blade dispenser precludes inadvertent cuts or nicks during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A combination guarded surgical scalpel and blade stripper (200, 300) uses the sliding guard (202, 301) in cooperation with an ejector button (238, 311) to strip a (used) blade (224, 314) from the scalpel (200, 300) thereby avoiding manual contact with the blade (224, 314) and the problems associated therewith.

Abstract: A blade package assembly assures that a blade may be mounted on a surgical scalpel easily, conveniently and safely during a surgical procedure in an operating room. The assembly includes a base and a pivoted cover. The base supports a blade, and the cover at least partially encloses the blade. A pin on the base is received in a hole in the blade, and a ledge on the base supports the rear end portion of the blade. The scalpel has a forwardly-extending cleat received in a slot on the blade, and the scalpel with the blade mounted thereon may be lifted up and away to clear the package.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel (100) is provided with a retractable guard (107) for its cutting blade (106). The guard (107) is mounted on the handle (101) of the scalpel (100) for sliding movement between an advanced position in which the blade (106) is covered and a retracted position in which the blade (106) is exposed. The guard (107) may be moved with one hand, and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient or the instrumentation during a surgical procedure. A two-position resiliently-biased manually-releasable detent means (113) is provided between the handle (101) and the guard (107). A closed longitudinal slot (122, 123) on the guard (107) cooperates with a pin (121) on the handle (101) to limit the sliding movement of the guard (107)--independently of the detent action therebetween--and accommodates the mechanical loading forces.

Abstract: A disposable guarded finger scalpel includes a frame having a forward transparent portion providing a guard for a blade. A pair of spring arms has a forward portion provided with a longitudinal lug received within a longitudinal slot on the blade. The spring arms are disposed rearwardly on the frame and extend laterally outwardly through respective openings in the side walls of the frame. A cap joins the rearward portions of the spring arms, and the cap abuts against a rear end wall of the frame.

Abstract: A sterile blade dispenser facilitates removal of dulled used blades, as well as the mounting of sharp unused blades, on a scalpel during a surgical procedure being conducted in an operating room or similar environment. Preferably, the scalpel has a sliding retractable guard, and the combination of the guarded scalpel and the blade dispenser precludes inadvertent cuts or nicks during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical skin hook (11, 100) has a guard (12, 105) that may be advanced to cover the prongs or hooks (14, 103) or retracted to expose the prongs or hooks (14, 103) for use during 5 a surgical procedure. In its advanced or closed position, the guard (12, 105) prevents accidental contact with the hooks (14, 103) thereby preventing nicks or cuts and the risks associated with contracting infectious diseases, such as AIDS. An improved method of using the guarded skin hook involves clamping the patient's skin (129) between the guard (105) and the hook or hooks (103) such that the skin (129) will not inadvertently fall off of the hook or hooks (103) as the skin (129) is peeled or lifted away from an incision (128) previously made on the patient.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel (10) is provided with a retractable guard (11) for its cutting blade (12). The guard (11) is mounted on the handle (24) of the scalpel (10) for sliding movement between an advanced position in which the blade (12) is covered and a retracted position in which the blade (12) is exposed. The guard (11) may be moved with one hand, and the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant does not have to take his or her eyes away from the patient or the instrumentation during a surgical procedure. A two-position resiliently-biased manually-releasable detent member (29), is disposed within the longitudinal center plane (30) of the handle (24) and extends above the handle (24). A cut-out (49) on the bottom wall (15) of the guard (11), together with the detent member (29), facilitates the one-hand actuation of the guard (11). A slot (25) on the guard (11) and a pin (26) or the handle (24), limits the sliding movement of the guard (11) independently of the detent action. Two embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel is provided with a retractable guard for its cutting blade. The scalpel includes a resiliently-biased locking means and a releasing mechanism for, alternatively, selectively locking the guard in an extended position for covering the blade and in a retracted position for exposing the blade. The guard is disposed on the body of the scalpel for sliding movement between its extended and retracted positions--with the use of only one hand--and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient. The locking mechanism produces a auditory sensory warning to signal to the user thereof that the guard is locked into either its extended or retracted position, without the necessity of visually observing the scalpel, and the locking and releasing mechanisms may be tactually located by the user and activated without visually observing the scalpel.

Abstract: A guarded skin hook for surgical use during a standard operational procedure. The guarded skin hook prevents accidental or inadvertent cuts or nicks during the procedure, thereby protecting the surgeon, nurse or other health care provider as the skin hook is passed from one to another in the operating room or similar environment. The guard has a "feel" which enables the surgeon or nurse to grasp the guarded skin hook without taking his or her eyes away from the patient.