Surgical blade abstract
A combination of surgical blade holder and cooperating blade is
provided, which allows simple insertion of a blade having a specific
configuration of opening in the tang for receiving a specific boss
configuration on the handle, and closure to a locked position of
the blade, upon insertion. The two parts of the handle pivot relative
to one another in the same longitudinal plane around a pivot positioned
adjacent the blade portion. This allows a relatively long handle
portion for gripping the device for ejecting the blade, using the
thumb or finger of the same hand for opening the holder. The gripping
portion of the handle has adjacent to the blade portion thereof
a boss which conforms to the opening in the blade tang. The boss
includes a cleat with an overhang which serves to receive the opposed
mating surface on the opposite half of the handle. The cooperating
surfaces on the blade and handle provide three dimensional gripping
of the blade closure which causes the movable portion of the handle
to cover the boss and the blade tang. The mating surfaces on the
handle include opposed surfaces for gripping the blade rib. When
opening, the user pushes the movable portion of the handle open
while holding the blade and boss of the fixed handle portion facing
downward so that the blade falls out of the device, without any
touching or movement of any kind, into a collector.
Surgical blade claims
What is claimed is:
1. A blade holder, comprising
(a) an elongated flat fixed body portion;
(b) a blade receiving area at a first end of said elongated fixed
body portion for receiving the tang of a blade;
(c) said blade receiving area being an elongated integral boss;
(d) said elongated integral boss having a cleat positioned proximal
the said first end of said fixed body portion and an abutment positioned
distal the said first end of said fixed body portion;
(e) a handle gripping area at a second end of said fixed body portion
opposite said blade receiving area;
(f) a pivot pin on said flat fixed body portion intermediate said
fist and second ends and adjacent said blade receiving area;
(g) the axis of said pivot pin being perpendicular to said flat
fixed body portion;
(h) an elongated flat rotatable body portion;
(e) said rotatable body portion rotatable around said pivot pin
from an open position for receiving a blade in said blade receiving
area to a closed position wherein the cooperating opposed surfaces
of said fixed body portion and said rotatable body portion lock
a blade tang in said blade receiving area; and
(j) cooperating locking means on said flat fixed body portion and
said rotatable body portion for locking the tang of a blade in aid
blade receiving area.
2. The blade holder of claim 1 wherein
(a) said boss is configured to be the same shape as the opening
in the tang of a blade to be received thereover.
3. The blade holder of claim 1 wherein said cleat includes an
undercut extending toward said abutment for engaging and overhanging
said cooperating opposed surface of said rotatable body portion
wherein said cleat undercut and said opposed surface engage the
end of an opening in a blade positioned in said holder.
4. The blade holder of claim 1 wherein said cooperating locking
means includes
(a) a curved slot on said elongated fixed body portion;
(b) an indentation at the end of said curved slot;
(c) a curved extension on said rotatable body portion at the end
thereof opposite said blade receiving area; and
(d) a locking abutment on the end of said curved extension for
extending into said indentation at the end of said curved slot.
5. The blade holder of claim 1 further comprising
(a) frictional gripping surfaces on each side of said fixed and
rotatable body portions for holding said blade holder during use.
6. The blade holder of claim 4 further comprising
(a) a frictional gripping surface on the side of said flat rotatable
body portion opposite said curved locking extension for urging said
flat rotatable body portion to the open position;
(b) said frictional gripping surface having ribs oriented parallel
to the longitudinal extent of said rotating body portion.
7. The blade holder of claim 1 further comprising a surgical blade
said blade comprising
(a) a flat elongated body with opposed side edges;
(b) said elongated body extending from a first blade end to a second
blade end;
(c) a blade cutting edge extending along one of said opposed side
edges from a point intermediate said first and second blade ends
to said first end;
(d) said second blade end having an angled surface for engaging
an opposed surface on said holder;
(e) a handle boss receiving opening in said blade;
(f) said opening extending from a point spaced from said first
blade end to a point spaced from said second blade end;
(g) said opening having a wide portion at the end thereof adjacent
said second blade end and a narrow portion at the end thereof spaced
from said first blade end; and
(h) said narrow portion having a round widened cleat engaging portion
at the end thereof immediately adjacent said first blade end.
8. The holder of claim 7 wherein said blade further comprising
(a) a rib extending along the said side edge opposite to said side
edge having said blade cutting edge.
9. A combination surgical blade holder and interfitting surgical
blade, comprising
(a) a blade holder body;
(b) said blade holder body having an elongated fixed portion and
a shorter rotatable portion;
(c) a blade receiving area at a first end of said elongated fixed
body portion for receiving the tang of a blade and a handle portion
at the a second end of said elongated fixed body portion opposite
sad first end;
(d) a pivot point intermediate said first and second ends of said
elongated fixed body portion on said blade holder adjacent said
blade receiving area for pivoting said shorter rotatable portion
of said holder on said elongated fixed portion;
(e) a surgical blade;
(f) an integral blade receiving boss on said blade receiving area;
(g) a boss receiving opening in said surgical blade;
(h) said boss and said boss receiving opening being elongated and
configured the same to have equal cooperating opposed surfaces;
and
(i) said boss and said boss receiving opening including
(1) a wide portion at the end adjacent said pivot point;
(2) a narrow portion extending toward said first end;
(3) said narrow portion having a round widened area immediately
adjacent said first end; and
(4) said round widened area having a narrow square portion extending
toward said first end;
(j) whereby said rotatable portion of said blade holder body rotates
around said pivot point from an open position for positioning said
boss receiving opening on said blade receiving boss to a closed
position locking said blade in said blade receiving area.
10. The combination of claim 9 further comprising:
(a) a cleat positioned proximal said first end of said fixed body
portion;
(b) an abutment positioned distal said first end of said fixed
body portion; and
(c) said round widened area and said narrow square portion of said
blade boss receiving opening for receiving said cleat.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein
(a) said cleat having an undercut surface extending proximally
of said boss;
(b) said undercut surface for engaging the end of said rotatable
portion of said blade holder adjacent said first end; and
(c) said cleat undercut surface and said end of said rotatable
blade holder portion adjacent said first end for receiving the end
adjacent said first end of said boss receiving opening in said blade.
12. A blade holder, comprising
(a) an elongated flat fixed body portion;
(b) a blade receiving area at a first end of said elongated fixed
body portion for receiving the tang of a blade;
(c) said blade receiving area including at least one integral boss
for facilitating receipt of said blade;
(d) said blade receiving area having a cleat positioned proximal
the said first end of said fixed body portion and an abutment positioned
distal the said first end of said fixed body portion;
(e) a handle gripping area at a second end of said fixed body portion
opposite said blade receiving area;
(f) a pivot pin on said flat fixed body portion intermediate said
first and second ends and adjacent said blade receiving area;
(g) the axis of said pivot pin being perpendicular to said flat
fixed body portion;
(h) an elongated flat rotatable body portion;
(i) said rotatable body portion rotatable around said pivot pin
from an open position for receiving a blade in said blade receiving
area to a closed position wherein the cooperating opposed surfaces
of said fixed body portion and said rotatable body portion lock
a blade tang in said blade receiving area; and
(j) cooperating locking means on said flat fixed body portion and
said rotatable body portion for locking the tang of a blade in said
blade receiving area.
Surgical blade description
BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a blade handle or holder which
allows for the sequential insertion of a plurality of blades for
a single use of each blade with subsequent ejection of the blade
from the handle for insertion of an additional blade. More particularly,
the invention relates to holders for surgical blades of a precise
configuration, and to the blades so configured. Also, this invention
involves the handling of contaminated blades in the surgical environment.
As practitioners in the art of surgical blades are aware, AIDS,
hepatitis and related contagious diseases present in the blood of
patients has made the practice of surgery and medicine, in general,
more dangerous than was the case several years ago, simply because
one must be extremely careful to avoid contamination of his or her
own blood with the blood of an infected patient. For this reason,
many devices have been developed for handling instruments to avoid
contaminated sharp edges or points which have been contaminated
with the blood of infected persons. This is particularly true in
the surgical environment where surgical blades are used in great
quantity and must be disposed of without being touched, if possible,
and certainly without the user being cut or having his or her skin
punctured in any way.
Thus, it is important to be able to insert and remove a blade from
a holder for the blade, after use, without the user having to actually
touch the blade, if possible. If it is necessary to touch the blade,
then it is appropriate to touch only the tang portion of the blade
and avoid any contact with the sharp edge. It is to this environment
that the present invention is directed.
It is equally important in the surgical environment to have the
blade held in a holder against any movement relative to the holder.
This invention includes blades modified to accommodate a specifically
configured holder for this purpose, to the holders, and to the combination
of holder and blade. The holder includes opposed cooperating surfaces
which capture the blade in three dimensions, so to speak, against
any movement in the holder. On the other hand, the blade is configured
to meet precisely these opposed cooperating surfaces.
Many arrangements have been developed to obviate the problems discussed
above, and to provide blade holders which will hold the blade precisely
in the position desired, which will provide ease of insertion so
that the user does not cut themselves prior to any use of the blade
and/or holder, and that the blade is firmly held against any wobbling
or movement in the handle, which would reduce the effectiveness
of any surgery being performed with such a blade.
Arrangements have been provided in the past wherein elongated blade
holders have been provided of the kind discussed here wherein the
two parts of the holder pivot relative to each other for insertion
of the blade into the holder and for holding the blade in place.
These arrangements have a pivot axis at one end of the two parts
forming the holder. With such an arrangement, the user cannot handle
removal of the blade single-handedly since it is necessary to use
both hands for handling the two pivoting parts. Representative of
such arrangements are U.S. Pat. No. 2245096 and U.S. Pat. No.
3906625. Both of these patents have the pivot axis positioned
at the end opposite the end where the blade is inserted.
Other devices of the kind discussed herein include those in which
the pivot axis is positioned centrally of the ends of the blade
holder. Again, with such arrangements the user must use both hands
to manipulate the two parts around the central pivot axis in order
to insert and remove the blade. Representative of such prior art
patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2478668 and 2637105.
In order to facilitate a single-handed operation for surgical blade
holders and the cooperating blade of the kind discussed herein,
it is necessary to position the pivot axis adjacent to the position
of the blade during use. This enables the user to have a substantially
long non-pivoting handle portion to grip for opening and closing
the device for insertion and ejection of the blade. Representative
of such arrangements are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2039443 and 1914153.
Both of these patents use a separate rotating ejector arrangement
which pivots adjacent to the blade for causing the blade to become
"unwedged" from its use position for removal of the blade.
However, the ejector cams the blade only partially out of its holder
arrangement. The user must, after this camming action, grip the
blade for final removal from the handle thus risking a cut from
the contaminated blade.
With this invention, by contrast, a blade holder is provided for
surgical blades which allows the user to open and close the device
single-handedly. The arrangement includes a fixed non-rotating half
of the handle which has positioned in the blade position thereof,
a boss which is configured to be the same as the opening in the
tang of the blade to be inserted. As a further feature, this portion
of the holder is indented to the same configuration as the blade
tang for easy reception of the blade. For this reason, the blade
may be positioned on the fixed portion of the handle of the invention.
At one end of the boss is a cooperating abutment which cooperates
with the movable portion of the handle in closed position to capture
the blade and lock it in a non movable position for use. The other
end has a hook or cleat arrangement with an undercut surface which
serves to positively position and hold one end of the blade. The
opposed half of the blade holder has a distal or nose end that fits
under the undercut of the cleat with the blade between. Thus, the
user, single handedly, may close the device and wedge the blade
in a fixed position effortlessly.
As a further feature of the holder portion of the combination in
accordance with this invention, both portions of the holder have
wedge features which mate in closed position to hold the ribbed
edge of the blade of the invention. The blade portion of the combination
herein, includes an opening of expanded width at one end to cooperate
with the cleat on the holder. Also, at the very distal end of the
expanded width opening is an extension in the hole of the blade
which cooperates with a front or distal end of the cleat.
Once the blade has been used, the user may grip the handle, and
with the thumb, move the movable portion of the handle open around
the pivot axis which is adjacent to the blade. In doing so, the
user also places the boss side of the fixed portion of the handle
downwardly. For this reason, once the movable portion of the blade
handle has been forced open by the thumb of the user, the blade
simply falls out of the device into a container used for such purposes
in order to contain contaminated sharp instruments. The user does
not touch the blade at all once it has been used and contaminated.
As a further feature of the invention here, the blade holder of
the invention is substantially flat and the two portions of the
handle pivot relative to one another around a pivot with an axis
perpendicular to the flat body of the holder, and positioned adjacent
to the position of the blade, as discussed above. Moreover, the
two portions pivot around this pivot axis in substantially the same
longitudinal plane relative to each other. For this reason, the
profile of the holder herein is a simplified flat device easily
handled and maneuvered in difficult surgical procedures.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent
from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the
appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side elevational view of the device of
the invention in its open position exposing the boss structure for
receiving a surgical blade;
FIG. 2 is the structure of FIG. 1 shown in its closed position;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal end view of the movable handle portion
or half of the holder of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the movable handle portion
of the holder of the invention of FIG. 3 showing the opposite side
thereof from the showings in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal end view of the fixed portion or half
of the handle of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the fixed portion of the handle
of the invention of FIG. 5 with the rotating portion removed to
show the structure of the fixed portion underneath the rotating
portion.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal side elevational view of another embodiment
of the device of the invention illustrating the combination blade
holder and blade with cooperating interfitting surfaces;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal edge view of the device of FIG. 7 showing
the bottom edge as viewed in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a partial longitudinal view of the device of FIG. 7 shown
in open position, and showing the cooperating surfaces for the blade
with the blade removed;
FIG. 10(a) is a partial longitudinal view of the long fixed handle
portion of the blade holder showing the blade mating surface details;
FIG. 10(b) is a side elevational view of blade holder portion of
FIG. 10(a);
FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 10(b) showing details
of the cleat on the holder of the invention for cooperating with
the opening in the blade of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the blade of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a sectional view along lines 13--13 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a sectional view along lines 14--14 of FIG. 12; and
FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the blade receiving boss on the
long handle portion of the holder of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters refer
to like parts throughout the several views thereof, FIG. 1 shows
one embodiment of the surgical blade holder of the invention generally
designated 10 in its open position with a fixed handle portion 12
and a rotating handle portion 14. The two halves 12 14 rotate relative
to each other around a pivot axis 29 with a pivot pin 24 for that
purpose. In use, however, the smaller half 14 rotates while the
portion 12 is held, and therefore, fixed.
The front end portions 16 18 respectively of the blade holder
halves 14 12 when open, expose a boss 20 having abutments 22
23 positioned at each end thereof. Boss 20 is configured to be the
same as a conventional opening in the tang of a conventional surgical
blade for holding the blade in a fixed position once the two portions
of the holder 10 are in their closed position as shown in FIG. 2.
L-shaped surface 21 (FIG. 6) defines the rear end of the indentation
in portion 18 for receiving the blade body.
That is, front end portion 16 of the blade holder movable half
moves over the blade itself and the boss 20 to wedge and position
both between the two front halves 16 18 of blade holder 10. When
this takes place, of course, the abutments 22 23 provide a wedging
action to hold the blade in a fixed non moving position. In order
to provide the appropriate rotating movement around axis 29 the
movable and fixed portions 14 12 of the blade holder of the invention
include cooperating opposed curved surfaces 52 54 and 17 19. This
allows for rotation of the parts relative to each other without
any diversion from the desired controlled rotary movement around
pivot axis 29 and rotating pin 24.
As can be seen in FIG. 1 movable rotating portion 14 of handle
10 includes a locking extension 26 which is received in a slot 28
in the fixed portion 12 of handle 10. When extension 26 moves into
slot 28 there is positioned at the bottom of extension 26 an abutment
48 (FIG. 4), which cooperates with a depression 30 so that 48 snaps
in place locking the two parts against relative rotary movement
when not desired.
The two halves 12 14 also include cooperating curved surfaces
42 40 respectively, again for maintaining a proper relative movement
of the two parts around axis 29 and pivot pin 24. The flat surfaces
of the movable and fixed parts 12 14 of the handle include a plurality
of spaced vertical ridges 32 34 which serve to provide the user
with a frictional gripping surface during use of the holder, when
a blade is fixed in the holder. While cooperating curved surfaces
52 54 move relative to each other, in the complete open position
of FIG. 1 top surface 75 of the movable part 14 moves against the
top edge of surface 52 to serve as a stop against further opening
movement.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 these views show the movable portion
14 of the blade holder of the invention separated from the fixed
portion thereof for clarity. As can be seen in FIG. 4 this view
is the opposite side of portion 14 from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 and
14 includes a plurality of spaced frictional ridges providing a
frictional gripping surface 46. This surface serves to provide the
user with a frictional surface for the thumb or finger for the opening
movement necessary to open the device to allow the blade to drop
from the open blade holder 10. Also shown in the surface 56 of the
front end portion of the blade half 14 is an opening 44 which cooperates
with the abutment 23 on the fixed portion of the device for maintaining
the blade fixed between the cooperating surfaces of the fixed and
rotating halves of the holder 10 of the invention.
One of the features of the invention, is the fact that the front
portion 16 from the pivot axis 29 as shown in FIG. 3 is bowed slightly
along the surface 56 to provide a more firm cooperating wedging
action between surface 56 and the cooperating surface on the other
half 12 of the blade holder 10 of the invention. Both the fixed
and rotating halves of the blade holder of the invention include
beveled edges 36 38 which provide a further ease of holding and/or
gripping the holder of the invention during use. Finally, referring
to FIG. 3 the movable half 14 of the holder of the invention includes
a bore 31 for receiving the rotating pivot pin 24.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 the fixed half 12 of the holder
10 of the invention is shown separately from the movable half thereof.
As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 bearing surfaces 52 53 are shown
for cooperating with opposed surfaces on the movable half 14 of
the blade 10 of the invention. Surface 53 serves as a "stop"
for movement to the closed position of the part 14 in cooperation
with the movement of the abutment 48 into the opening 30 to cause
locking together of the two halves once the blade is in place between
the two halves.
Referring now to FIG. 5 the front end portion 18 is bowed slightly
as discussed above relative to surface 56 on rotating or movable
part 14 so that the surface 70 cooperates with the opposed surface
56 in a wedging action. This bow is not visible to the human eye
since the degree of bow is very small in order to provide appropriate
movement of the two parts together, and movement in a non-locking
position when required to eject the blade. Fixed blade holder half
12 also includes a bore 27 for receiving the pivot pin 24 as discussed
above. The fixed blade holder half 12 includes vertical ridges 34
35 as viewed in FIG. 6 on opposite sides thereof in order to provide
the user with a frictional surface for ease of holding the holder
10 during use.
Thus, in order to use the device 10 of the invention, the user
grips the rear end of the fixed portion 12 of the invention. For
this purpose, as will be readily seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a large
portion of the elongated device of the invention is removed from
any movable part so as to provide a gripping surface for opening
and closing the device of the invention. Thereafter, the user places
their thumb or finger against the surface 46 for providing a force
for opening the movable portion 14 of the invention to expose the
boss 20 and opposed locking wedges 22 23 for receiving the opening
of a tang of a blade selected for insertion into the holder 10.
This force for opening overcomes the cooperating locking surfaces
of the parts 48 30 of the two halves of the holder of the invention.
Once the holder has been opened, the user may place the blade appropriately
with the opening of the blade over the boss 20. Then, the user simply
moves the movable holder portion 14 so as to cause the abutment
48 to move in position in the opening 30 for locking the two parts
together. With this movement, the blade is fixed in place with no
"wobbling" in the holder. Then the user may use the holder
with the blade in an appropriate desired way.
Subsequent to use, the contaminated blade may be removed readily
by the user. This is done simply by, again, holding the rear end
of the fixed portion of the device of the invention and placing
the thumb or finger against the frictional surface 46 for movement
of the rotating portion 14 around pivot axis 29. This force overcomes
the locking engagement of cooperating parts 30 48 and allows the
two parts to open to a position as shown in FIG. 1. Thereafter,
the user may, if the boss 20 is positioned upwardly, simply turn
the holder so that the boss is positioned downwardly and the blade
will fall out into a container provided for that purpose.
For this reason, the user's hands are not contaminated by any blood
on a blade which has been used in the holder of the invention. There
is no required movement on the part of the user of any kind to touch
or remove the blade from the holder. It simply falls from the holder
when the holder is opened, as discussed above.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further embodiment of a surgical blade holder
60. However, in this embodiment, a combination blade and holder
are provided in which both the blade and the holder have specifically
configured cooperating surfaces to hold the blade fixed in the holder
in an appropriate fashion. The holder is so configured that only
blades with an opening configured in accordance with this invention
will hold the blade. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a
rotating and a fixed half 64 62 respectively, in the same manner
as the embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 1-6. The two halves
rotate around a pivot axis 70 in the same manner. Moreover, the
smaller rotating half has a locking tab 61 in the same manner as
the embodiment shown and described in FIG. 1.
The difference lies in the specific blade opening boss configuration
including a cleat 76 and abutment 78 spaced apart to cooperate with
a specific opening configuration in the blade 66 of the invention.
As shown in FIG. 8 the spaced apart abutment 78 and cleat 76 are
positioned on the fixed longer portion 62 of the holder 60 of the
embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8. Further as shown in FIG. 7 the fixed
portion 62 of the holder 60 includes measurements 68 which are utilized
by the surgeon during surgery for measuring the dimension of an
incision made by blade 66. As shown in FIG. 8 further, this embodiment
60 of the invention also includes beveled edges 80 82 and the cooperating
textured surfaces 72 74 to assist in holding the holder 60 of the
invention in a precise manner during surgical procedures.
Referring now to FIG. 9 the specific boss configuration of the
fixed portion 62 of holder 60 is shown with the spaced apart cleat
76 and abutment 78. As can be seen in FIG. 9 a specific mating
feature 100 on the fixed portion of the holder 60 and 102 on the
movable portion 64 cooperate with each other to grip the rib back
114 of the blade 66 (FIG. 13). Because of this, the rib 114 of blade
66 is securely captured in both halves of the handle and serves
to increase the secure three dimensional stability of the blade
in the holder of the invention.
As can be seen in FIG. 9 further, distal end 90 of the movable
portion 64 of the invention includes an opening 88 for receiving
therein the abutment 78 on surface 84 in the closed position of
holder 60.
Referring now to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), boss 91 includes the distal
cleat 76 which has a forward extension 96. Cleat 76 extends on each
side to points 92 94 for cooperating with the mating surfaces of
blade 66 as will be described in more detail below. As can be seen
in FIG. 11 in the enlarged view of cleat 76 the cleat has an overhang
surface 98 which serves to lock the blade in place and for cooperating
with the distal end of the opening of blade 66 which opening is
specifically configured to cooperate only with the holder 60 described
herein.
Prior to describing the configuration of the blade of the invention,
reference is made to FIG. 15 which shows an isometric or perspective
view of distal end 77 of the fixed portion 62 of blade 60. As can
be seen in FIG. 15 boss 91 is configured for receiving a specific
blade opening and shows the spaced apart abutment 78 cleat 76
as well as the rear mating surface 86 for receiving the proximal
end of blade 66. Also, the view in FIG. 15 shows the surface 100
for cooperating with surface 102 for engaging the ribbed portion
114 of blade 66.
Referring now to FIGS. 12 13 and 14 blade 66 of the invention
is shown. As can be seen in FIG. 12 blade 66 has a specifically
configured opening 65 with the proximal end of opening 65 being
108 for engaging abutment 78. However, as shown in FIG. 12 the
distal end 104 106 of opening 65 is configured substantially differently
from conventional blade openings for surgical blades. That is, the
distal end includes an enlarged round shaped opening 104 for receiving
and engaging cleat 76 with the distal extension 106 for receiving
the extension 96 of cleat 76. Because of the undercut or overhang
surface 98 of cleat 76 the blade is held in a more substantial
position between the two halves of the holder 60 when the holder
is in its closed position.
FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the ribbed area 114 on the top
surface of blade 66. FIG. 14 shows the opposed tapers 116 118 of
blade 66 forming the cutting edge 112 of blade 66.
Thus, as will be appreciated from the above, there is provided
in accordance with this invention two forms of surgical blade holders
which are relatively simple and uncomplicated in construction and
easily stamped from a selected material such as stainless steel
in a mass production line. In both arrangements, the user may insert
a blade in a very simple manner and, again remove the blade without
ever touching the blade if it should be in fact contaminated. It
should be understood, of course, that one embodiment of holder of
the invention may be used for blades other than surgical blades,
or with conventional surgical blades. The simplicity of the structure
is such that many uses may be provided with the holder of the type
described. However, it is also important to note that the holder
of the invention, regardless of its simplicity, holds the blade
in a complete fixed position with no movement in the holder. This
allows the user to provide a precise cutting action as desired for
the use of the blade being selected.
While the holder configured to fit the specific blade of the invention
here is also easily stamped from stainless steel, for example, and
may be easily loaded and unloaded with the blade of the invention,
it has surfaces specifically configured on each half thereof to
mate with the specific blade configuration of the invention.
Again, while the blade of the invention is simple to use and to
manufacture, it has been developed with precisely arranged surfaces
for three dimensional mating with the holder in accordance herewith.
Because of this the blade is fixed from movement in any dimensional
direction of its position in the cooperating holder.
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred
embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes
may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention
which is defined in the appended claims. As discussed above, the
device of the invention is comprised of two very simple parts which
may be readily stamped from a selected material in a mass production
line. |