SAFETY SCALPEL HANDLE
A scalpel handle includes an outer body defining a first end and a cavity therein and an insert defining a blade holder disposed at a first end thereof and positionable within the cavity of the outer body with the blade holder extending outwardly away from the first end of the outer portion. A shield is coupled with the body and positionable around the blade holder, and a removal wedge fixed with respect to the shield and disposed in a substantially fixed lateral position at least partially aligned with a portion of the blade holder.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/310,986 filed on Mar. 21, 2016, entitled, “SAFETY SCALPEL HANDLE,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to a scalpel handle. In particular, the scalpel handle can retain a scalpel blade in an assembly that includes a safety sheath and a release mechanism to allow for removal of the blade.
BACKGROUNDAccidental cuts or punctures may occur by way of sharp instruments, either during use, during transfer from one person to another, or from inadvertent misplacement thereof in certain locations. Such injuries are particularly impactful in the medical arena, as diseases can be spread through accidental contact with “sharps,” including scalpel blades or the like. In particular, scalpels may include a handle that can be assembled with a disposable blade. Such handles may also be disposable or may be reusable (such as by being made of a material that can be sterilized using an autoclave of the like). Further, many such handles may not include any protection from contact with the blade when being assembled thereto and, further, may present additional opportunity for injury during removal of a to-be-disposed blade prior to reuse or disposal of the handle.
Accordingly, further advances in protection from injury due to inadvertent contact with scalpel blades, including during removal, are desired.
SUMMARYAccording to one aspect of the present disclosure, a scalpel handle includes a body having an outer portion defining a first end and at least a portion of a first channel extending longitudinally along a first side of the body portion and open on the first end. The body further has an insert received within the cavity of the outer portion and defining a blade holder disposed at a first end thereof and extending outwardly away from the first end of the outer portion. The scalpel handle further includes a shield coupled with the body and slideable between a retracted position and a removal position with an intermediate extended position therebetween. The shield has a first removal flange extending within an interior of the shield and being slideably disposed within the first channel to pass the first end of the outer portion during movement of the shield from the extended position to the removal position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a scalpel handle includes an outer body defining a first end and a cavity therein and an insert defining a blade holder disposed at a first end thereof and positionable within the cavity of the outer body with the blade holder extending outwardly away from the first end of the outer portion. A shield is coupled with the body and positionable around the blade holder, and a removal wedge fixed with respect to the shield and disposed in a substantially fixed lateral position at least partially aligned with a portion of the blade holder.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a scalpel handle includes a body defining a channel extending in a longitudinal direction along a side thereof and having a shield portion disposed at a first end thereof that at least partially encloses the channel. A removal ramp is defined along a portion of the channel adjacent the shield. The scalpel handle further includes an insert slideably disposed within the channel between an fully-extended position and a removal position with an intermediate extended position and a retracted position therebetween. The insert has a blade holder defined on a first end thereof that passes the first end of the body during movement of the insert from the intermediate extended position to the retracted position and passes the removal ramp during movement of the insert into the removal position.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
Referring to the embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
As shown in
Handle 10 is configured such that the blade 42 can be coupled with the blade tang 72 of blade holder 44 when the shield 30 is in the retracted position. Such coupling can be done according to generally standard blade loading technique and can include assembly of a slot 45 within blade 42 into a mounting groove 73 (
Handle 10 includes features arranged to facilitate an “automatic” blade removal. Handle 10 is further configured such that this blade 42 removal is only achieved when the shield 30 is moved forward from the extended position (
As discussed above, removal flanges 36a, 36b extend inward within shield 30 and are recessed with respect to body 12 by extending into respective channels 32 within handle 10 (such as within insert 22 in the present embodiment). Channels 32 extend longitudinally along body 12, again, such that removal flanges 36a, 36b, while recessed within body 12, can move freely in direction 76 along body 12 with movement of shield 30, as discussed above. The recessed arrangement of removal flanges 36a, 36b allows at least portions thereof to extend laterally past the trailing edge 84 of blade 42 to align with a portion of the blade holder 44 and/or with mounting groove 73. As illustrated in
In particular, each removal flange 36a,36b, as depicted in
As shown in
After blade 42 removal, shield 30 can be moved back to either of the extended or retracted positions. A new blade 42 can be coupled with handle 10, as discussed above, while shield 30 is in the retracted position. If there is no intention to assemble a new blade 42 and if handle 10 is intended for single-use, it may then be disposed of.
As shown in
As shown in
In one aspect, as illustrated in
A further embodiment of a handle 210 is shown in
Although it may be possible to install blade 242 on blade holder 244 when insert 222 is in the extended position (
To facilitate sterilization of handle 210 for subsequent reuse, button 264 can be pulled outwardly when insert 222 is in the retracted position (i.e. when tab 260 is in locking channel 256). This allows tab 260 to move out of locking channel 256, thereby allowing insert 222 to be moved further rearward (i.e. opposite direction 276) out of channel 224.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
Claims
1. A scalpel handle, comprising:
- a body including: an outer portion defining a cavity and a first end and at least a portion of a first channel extending longitudinally along a first side of the body portion and open on the first end; and an insert received within the cavity of the outer portion and defining a blade holder disposed at a first end thereof and extending outwardly away from the first end of the outer portion; and
- a shield coupled with the body and slideable between a retracted position and a removal position with an intermediate extended position therebetween, the shield including a first removal flange extending within an interior of the shield and being slideably disposed within the first channel to pass the first end of the outer portion during movement of the shield from the extended position to the removal position.
2. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein:
- the cavity of the outer portion is open on a first side of the outer portion and defines a first portion of the first channel; and
- the insert defines a second portion of the first channel.
3. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein:
- the outer portion of the scalpel handle is of a plastic material; and
- the insert of the scalpel handle is of a metal.
4. The scalpel handle of claim 3, wherein the shield is of a plastic material.
5. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein the shield includes:
- a first portion defining a sleeve receiving and surrounding the outer portion of the body; and
- a second portion defining a base having the removal flange extending inwardly therefrom and a button flexibly extending longitudinally from the base;
- wherein the first portion and the second portion are rigidly coupled together.
6. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein the removal flange extends within an interior of the shield in a substantially fixed lateral position at least partially aligned with a portion of the blade holder to pass the first end of the outer portion and at least a rearward end of the blade holder during movement of the shield into the removal position.
7. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein:
- the blade holder extends away from the first end of the outer portion along a first lateral side of the blade holder and defines a second lateral side of the blade holder that extends laterally away from the first lateral side and includes a mounting groove; and
- the removal flange extends inwardly from a portion of the shield adjacent the second lateral side of the blade holder to a position opposite the mounting groove from the portion of the shield.
8. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein:
- the first removal flange is positioned on a first vertical side of the blade holder; and
- the shield further includes a second removal flange positioned on a second vertical side of the blade holder and extending within the interior of the shield.
9. The scalpel handle of claim 8, wherein:
- the outer portion defines at least a portion of a second channel extending generally parallel to the first channel and open on the first end; and
- the second removal flange is slideably disposed within the second channel to pass the first end of the outer portion during movement of the shield from the extended position to the removal position.
10. The scalpel handle of claim 1, wherein:
- the outer portion of the body further defines a first locking channel corresponding to the extended position of the shield and a second locking channel corresponding to a retracted position of the shield opposite the removal position and spaced from the first locking channels such that the blade holder is exposed when the shield is in the retracted position;
- the shield further includes a button depressible toward the body, the button being alternately releasably engageable with the first locking channel to maintain the shield in the extended position and with the second locking channel to maintain the shield in the retracted position; and
- when engaged with the first channel or the second channel, the button is disengageable from the first locking channel and the second locking channel by movement thereof toward the body into a depressed position.
11. The scalpel handle of claim 10, wherein the button includes a tab extending therefrom, the button being alternately releasably engageable with the first locking channel and the second locking channel by engagement of the tab with the first locking channel and the second locking channel, respectively.
12. The scalpel handle of claim 11, wherein the body further defines a guide track in communication with the first locking channel at a first end thereof and with the second locking channel at a second end thereof, the tab guide track including a first ramp adjacent the first end and a second ramp adjacent the second end, the guide track receiving the tab during movement thereof between the first locking channel and the second locking channel.
13. The scalpel handle of claim 11, wherein the body further defines a guide track in communication with the first locking channel at a first end thereof and receiving the tab during movement of the shield out of the extended position toward the retracted position, the guide track further including an extension portion disposed inwardly relative to the first end of the guide track and extending to a second end adjacent the first end of the outer portion, the extension portion receiving the tab during movement of the shield away from the extended position toward the removal position.
14. The scalpel handle of claim 13, wherein the first locking channel is flanked by first and second inwardly-extending ramp portions that respectively extend inwardly from portions of the channel disposed away from the first locking channel to a position adjacent the first locking channel, the first ramp portion being disposed toward the removal position and extending inwardly a first distance that is greater than a second distance through which the second ramp portion extends.
15. A scalpel handle, comprising:
- an outer body defining a first end and a cavity therein;
- an insert defining a blade holder disposed at a first end thereof and positionable within the cavity of the outer body with the blade holder extending outwardly away from the first end of the outer body;
- a shield coupled with the body and positionable around the blade holder; and
- a removal wedge fixed with respect to the shield and disposed in a substantially fixed lateral position at least partially aligned with a portion of the blade holder.
16. The scalpel handle of claim 15, wherein:
- the shield is slideably coupled with the outer body and moveable between a retracted position and a removal position with an intermediate extended position therebetween; and
- the removal wedge is defined on a first flange extending within an interior of the shield in a substantially fixed lateral position with the removal wedge at least partially aligned with a portion of the blade holder to pass the first end of the outer body and at least a rearward end of the blade holder during movement of the shield into the removal position.
17. The scalpel handle of claim 16, wherein:
- the outer body is of a plastic material and further defines at least a portion of a first channel extending longitudinally along a first side of the outer body and open on the first end; and
- the insert is of metal and is fixed within the cavity.
18. The scalpel handle of claim 15, wherein:
- the cavity is open on a first side of the outer body to define a channel extending in a longitudinal direction along the first side;
- the shield is fixed with the outer body and disposed adjacent the first end thereof to at least partially enclose the channel;
- the removal wedge is integral with the outer body and disposed along a portion of the channel adjacent the shield; and
- the insert is slideably disposed within the first channel such that a portion of the blade holder passes the removal wedge during movement of the insert from an extended position outside the shield and past the first end of the outer body to a removal position disposed inwardly with respect to the first end of the outer body and at least partially within the shield.
19. The scalpel handle of claim 18, wherein:
- the outer body further defines a first locking channel corresponding to the extended position of the insert and a second locking channel corresponding to a retracted position of the insert between the extended position and the removal position and spaced from the first locking channels such that the blade holder is exposed when the insert is in the extended position; and
- the insert further includes a button depressible toward the outer body, the button being alternately releasably engageable with the first locking channel to maintain the shield in the extended position and with the second locking channel to maintain the shield in the retracted position;
- when engaged with the first channel or the second channel, the button is disengageable from the first locking channel and the second locking channel by movement thereof toward the outer body into a depressed position.
20. A scalpel handle, comprising:
- a body defining a channel extending in a longitudinal direction along a side thereof and having a shield portion disposed at a first end thereof that at least partially encloses the channel, a removal ramp defined along a portion of the channel adjacent the shield; and
- an insert slideably disposed within the channel between an fully-extended position and a removal position with an intermediate extended position and a retracted position therebetween and having a blade holder defined on a first end thereof that passes the first end of the body during movement of the insert from the intermediate extended position to the retracted position and passes the removal ramp during movement of the insert into the removal position.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 21, 2017
Applicant: Aspen Surgical Products, Inc. (Caledonia, MI)
Inventors: Georgene Austria (West Hills, CA), Justine Pringle (Grand Rapids, MI)
Application Number: 15/463,036