Patent US5792162A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5792162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guarded surgical scalpel with scalpel blade remover
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1996-05-08
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2016-05-08
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an improved guarded surgical scalpel having a movable guard that can be retracted to expose the blade and that can be extended to cover the sharp cutting edge of the blade. The guard is telescopically mounted inside the blade handle and includes a deflectable top wall portion that holds a detent pin or that defines a radially extending flange. This detent pin or flange engages a slot having upturned ends that is formed in at least one side wall of the blade handle. The detent pin or flange is biased upwardly into the upturned ends of the slot to hold the guard in the retracted or extended position. The blade can include a tang having a notch formed therein. The distal end of one sidewall of the guard can be formed with a complementary notch such that when the distal end of the sidewall of the guard engages the proximal end of the blade, forward movement of the guard forces the blade off of the scalpel. A wedge mechanism is provided to urge the proximal end of the blade away from a blade carrier into engagement with the distal end of the sidewall of the guard.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil Jolly
- 👤 Craig D. Newman
- 👤 Robert W. Pierce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B17/3213; A61B2017/32113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for removing a blade, having a proximal end, from a guarded surgical scalpel having a handle, a guard with a distal end movable with respect to the handle a blade carrier operably connected to the handle for carrying the blade and an arm operably connected to the handle for removing the blade from the blade carrier, comprising: advancing the arm into an interface between the blade and the blade carrier to lift the proximal end of the blade from the blade carrier; engaging the proximal end of the blade with the distal end of the guard; and moving the guard in a distal direction to force the blade from the guarded surgical scalpel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for removing a blade, having a proximal end, from a guarded surgical scalpel having a handle, a guard with a distal end movable with respect to the handle a blade carrier operably connected to the handle for carrying the blade and an arm operably connected to the handle for removing the blade from the blade carrier, comprising: advancing the arm into an interface between the blade and the blade carrier to lift the proximal end of the blade from the blade carrier; engaging the proximal end of the blade with the distal end of the guard; and moving the guard in a distal direction to force the blade from the guarded surgical scalpel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the blade defines a notch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the distal end of the guard defines a notch that is complementary to the notch in the proximal end of the blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining the arm in the interface without manually engaging the arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the proximal end of the blade defines a notch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the distal end of the guard defines a notch that is complementary to the notch in the proximal end of the blade.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for removing a blade having a proximal end from a guarded surgical scalpel wherein the guarded surgical scalpel includes a handle, a guard with a distal end movable with respect to the handle, a blade carrier operably connected to the handle for carrying the blade and an arm operably connected to the handle for removing the blade from the blade carrier and wherein the blade defines a plane, comprising: advancing the arm in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the blade; lifting the proximal end of the blade from the blade carrier; engaging the proximal end of the blade with the distal end of the guard; and moving the guard in a distal direction to force the blade from the guarded surgical scalpel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for removing a blade having a proximal end from a guarded surgical scalpel wherein the guarded surgical scalpel includes a handle, a guard with a distal end movable with respect to the handle, a blade carrier operably connected to the handle for carrying the blade and an arm operably connected to the handle for removing the blade from the blade carrier and wherein the blade defines a plane, comprising: advancing the arm in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the blade; lifting the proximal end of the blade from the blade carrier; engaging the proximal end of the blade with the distal end of the guard; and moving the guard in a distal direction to force the blade from the guarded surgical scalpel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising maintaining the arm in an advanced position without manually engaging the arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the proximal end of the blade defines a notch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the distal end of the guard defines a notch that is complementary to the notch in the proximal end of the blade.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |