Surgical blade 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.
Surgical blade claims
15. The method of easily and conveniently mounting a surgical blade
on the forwardly-projecting cleat of a scalpel, and for subsequently
removing the blade from the scalpel following use of the blade during
a surgical procedure in an operating room or other medical environment,
thereby eliminating or at least substantially minimizing the risk
of injury due to an accidental or inadvertent contact with the blade,
comprising the steps of providing a package having a blade therein,
the blade being disposed between respective side portions of the
package and further being recessed below the open top of the package,
a tab formed on the package and partially covering the open top
of the package above the blade, holding the package with one hand
while holding the scalpel with the other hand, inserting the cleat
on the scalpel underneath the rear portion of the blade and between
the blade and the package, moving the scalpel forwardly and upwardly
with respect to the package such that the cleat on the scalpel is
received within the slot on the blade, and such that diametrically-opposite
slits on the cleat engage the respective adjacent sides of the slot
in the blade, and continuing the forward movement of the scalpel
such that the tab on the package is pushed away as the package is
separated from the blade and the blade is mounted on the scalpel.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the package has side walls
provided with cooperative scalloped recesses, and further including
the step of holding the package by the thumb and forefinger in the
respective scalloped recesses.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the blade package is molded
plastic, wherein the tab is integrally molded with the package and
is connected thereto by a living hinge, and further including the
step of manually holding down the tab temporarily as the scalpel
is inserted into the blade package.
18. The method of mounting a blade onto a surgical scalpel without
physically touching the blade, thereby avoiding an accidental or
inadvertent contact with the blade both before and after a surgical
procedure, comprising the steps of providing a blade package having
a blade positioned therein, the package having a bottom and further
having a pivotable flap, and the blade having a tip and a cutting
edge and further having a rear portion spaced from the bottom of
the package, inserting the scalpel below the rear portion of the
blade and between the blade and the bottom of the package, and moving
the scalpel into the package forwardly and upwardly thereof, such
that the blade is mounted on the scalpel as the pivotable flap is
pushed out of the way, and the package is completely separated from
the scalpel; and following use of the scalpel with the blade mounted
thereon during a surgical procedure, picking up the package, maintaining
the flap down on the package, and re-inserting the blade into the
package to completely strip the blade away from the package, and
thereafter disposing of the package with the blade therein in a
suitable container.
19. (canceled)
20. The method of safely and conveniently mounting a surgical blade
onto a scalpel and subsequently stripping the blade after use in
a surgical procedure for safe disposal of the used blade, comprising
the steps of providing a scalpel having a forwardly-projecting cleat
thereon, providing a blade package having a bottom portion and further
having a blade mounted in the blade package, the blade package having
an accessible rear portion and the blade having a rear portion spaced
vertically from the bottom portion of the blade package, inserting
the cleat on the scalpel through the accessible rear portion of
the blade package and between the rear portion of the blade and
the bottom portion of the blade package, and moving the scalpel
and the blade package towards each other as the scalpel is moved
upwardly and forwardly relative to the blade package, such that
the cleat on the scalpel engages the blade as the blade package
is pulled away from the blade, thereby mounting the blade on the
scalpel; and after use of the blade in a surgical procedure, re-inserting
the cleat of the scalpel with the used blade mounted thereon through
the accessible rear portion of the blade package and directly above
the bottom wall thereof, and moving the scalpel and blade package
away from each other, such that the blade is stripped from the scalpel
and simultaneously remounted within the blade package; and subsequently
safely disposing of the blade package with the used blade therein.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the scalpel comprises a conventional
scalpel handle.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the scalpel comprises a guarded
surgical scalpel.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the cleat has respective side
portions provided with longitudinal slits, and wherein the blade
has a mounting slot formed therein, the mounting slot having side
edges received within the respective slits on the cleat.
Surgical blade description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a surgical blade package
for safely mounting a surgical blade on a scalpel handle, thereby
avoiding accidental or inadvertent cuts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In our prior inventions, as disclosed and claimed in our
United States Letters patents--
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5433321
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5528811
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5662221
[0006] --a blade package is disclosed and claimed, comprising a
molded-plastic closed "box", wherein the blade is retained
by a pivoted flap, and wherein the forwardly-projecting cleat on
the scalpel handle is inserted downwardly and forwardly into the
exposed mounting slot in the blade to removably secure the blade
on the cleat as the flap is pivoted away to completely disengage
the scalpel from the package.
[0007] While these earlier patents are fully operational and satisfactory
for the purposes intended, the present invention is the culmination
of further developments and constitutes a substantial improvement
thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a surgical blade package
for more easily and conveniently mounting a surgical blade on the
forwardly-projecting cleat of a scalpel, thereby substantially minimizing
the risk of injury by an accidental or inadvertent contact with
the blade. The blade has a tip and further has a mounting slot formed
therein. The surgical blade package includes a molded-plastic package
having an open top and sidewalls, a bottom wall, a closed end wall
and an open end oppositely of the closed end wall, respectively.
A transverse ledge is disposed between the side walls, such that
the blade is supported on the ledge between the side walls; the
blade is substantially parallel to the bottom of the package; the
tip of the blade is pointed in the direction of the closed end wall
of the package; and the blade has a rear portion in juxtaposition
to the open end of the package. A hold-down pivotable tab is integrally
connected to the closed end wall by a living hinge. This tab partially
covers the open top for retaining the blade within the package.
[0009] An important feature of the present invention is this: The
cleat of the scalpel is inserted through the open rear end of the
package beneath the rear portion of the blade and between the blade
and the bottom wall of the package; the cleat on the scalpel is
inserted into the slot in the blade; and the tab is pivoted upwardly
away from the package as the blade is separated completely from
the package.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the side walls are substantially
parallel and have concavely-formed indented ("scalloped")
portions adjacent to the open end of the package, such that the
package may be conveniently grasped between the thumb and forefinger
of one of the hands of the nurse or technician while his or her
other hand is holding the scalpel, thereby providing additional
leverage in separating the package from the blade on the scalpel.
[0011] In another embodiment, the package has an upstanding stud
on the bottom wall thereof; and the blade has a hole formed therein
to receive the stud, thereby positioning the blade laterally of
the side walls of the package.
[0012] Preferably, one of the side walls of the package terminates
short of the open end of the package, thereby conforming to a slanted
raised portion of the conventional scalpel handle rearwardly of
the cleat thereon.
[0013] Another important feature of the present invention is this:
The blade may be subsequently removed from the scalpel following
use of the blade during a surgical procedure in an operating room
or other medical environment by reinserting the scalpel with the
blade thereon into the original package, thereby stripping the blade
from the cleat on the scalpel; and the tab is pressed down on the
blade to retain the blade, such that the package with the used blade
therein may be placed into a sharps container.
[0014] Preferably, cooperating nibs are formed between the pivotable
tab and the package, thereby releasably holding the tab down on
the blade, such that the cooperating nibs are released as the cleat
on the scalpel is mounted into the slot in the blade and the scalpel
is moved away from the package.
[0015] A sealed, sterile, pouch may be provided for the blade package.
[0016] Viewed in another aspect, the present invention provides,
in combination, a surgical blade package and a surgical blade contained
therein, the blade having a slot formed therein for receiving a
forwardly projecting cleat on a scalpel as the scalpel is inserted
into the package. Following use of the blade in an operating room
or other medical or surgical environment, the blade may be stripped
of the scalpel by reinserting the cleat into the package, thereby
eliminating or at least substantially minimizing the risk of injury
by an accidental or inadvertent contact with the blade. Means are
provided for supporting the blade within the package and for preventing
an inadvertent dulling of the blade during manufacture, shipment
or storage thereof, and releasable means are provided on the package
for holding and retaining the blade prior to insertion of the scalpel
into the package. The scalpel is inserted beneath the rear portion
of the blade and between the blade and a bottom wall of the package,
and the scalpel is moved forwardly and upwardly (not downwardly
as in our previous patents) relative to the package to mount the
blade on the scalpel as the blade is completely removed from the
package. After a surgical procedure, the blade is re-inserted within
the package and the relative movement of the scalpel and package
is reversed to strip the blade off the scalpel; thereafter, the
nurse or technician uses the releasable means to again retain the
blade prior to disposal of the package with the blade into a sharps
container or other disposable means.
[0017] Preferably, the means for supporting the blade within the
package comprises a transverse ledge formed on the package. In one
embodiment, this ledge is formed between parallel side walls of
the package and intermediately of the length of the package.
[0018] The releasable means for holding down and retaining the
blade comprises a tab integrally connected to the package by a living
hinge.
[0019] Viewed in yet another aspect, the present invention provides
a method of more easily and conveniently mounting a surgical blade
on the forwardly-projecting cleat of a scalpel, and for subsequently
removing the blade from the scalpel following use of the blade during
a surgical procedure in an operating room or other medical environment,
thereby eliminating or at least substantially minimizing the risk
of injury due to an accidental or inadvertent contact with the blade.
This improved method includes the steps of provides a package having
a blade therein, the blade being disposed between respective side
portions of the package and further being recessed below the open
top the package. A tab is formed on the package and partially covers
the open top of the package above the blade. The package is held
with one hand while holding the scalpel with the other hand. The
cleat on the scalpel is inserted underneath the rear portion of
the blade and between the blade and the package. The scalpel is
moved forwardly and upwardly with respect to the package such that
the cleat on the scalpel is received within the slot on the blade,
and such that diametrically-opposite slits on the cleat engage the
respective adjacent sides of the slot in the blade. The forward
movement of the scalpel is continued, such that the tab on the package
is pushed away as the package is separated from the blade and the
blade is mounted on the scalpel.
[0020] Following use of the scalpel with the blade mounted thereon
during a surgical procedure, the improved method includes the steps
of picking up the package; maintaining the flap down on the package;
reinserting the blade into the package to completely strip the blade
away from the package; and thereafter disposing of the package with
the blade therein in a suitable container.
[0021] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention,
the improved surgical blade package may be used with a standard
(unguarded) scalpel handle or with a guarded surgical scalpel as
disclosed and claimed in our following United States Letters patents:
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5250063
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5275606
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 5411512
[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 5496340
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 5569291
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 5662669
[0028] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent from a reading of the following specification, taken in
conjunction with the enclosed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved surgical blade
package of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, the broken lines indicating
the blade.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view, taken along the lines
3-3 of FIG. 2 and with certain parts shown in elevation and section,
respectively.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a forward end view (the closed end) of the blade
package of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 5 is the rear opposite end view (the open end) of the
package.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the lines
6-6 of FIG. 2 and showing the blade between the pivoted tab (or
flap) and the transverse ledge for supporting the blade thereon.
[0035] FIGS. 7A-7D and 8A-8D are respective sequence views, illustrating
the mounting of the blade on the scalpel.
[0036] In FIGS. 7A and 8A, the scalpel handle is held in one hand
and the blade package in the other hand.
[0037] In FIGS. 7B and 8B, the forwardly-projecting cleat on the
scalpel is inserted through the open end of the package, beneath
the blade, and between the blade and the bottom wall of the package.
[0038] In FIGS. 7C and 8C, the cleat on the scalpel is fully inserted
into the mounting slot on the blade, as the cleat is moved forwardly
and upwardly relative to the package.
[0039] In FIGS. 7D and 8D, the forward, upward movement of the
scalpel is continued (it's all one continuous movement to "snap"
the blade on the scalpel) and, as shown, the package is completely
disengaged from the scalpel.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a flow chart, showing the sequential steps in
mounting the blade on the scalpel and disengaging the blade package
(which is saved for subsequent disposal of the used blade).
[0041] FIGS. 10-14 illustrate the sequential steps of the stripping
the used blade off the scalpel, using the original blade package
(and substantially reversing the steps in snapping or inserting
the blade on the scalpel) for subsequent disposal of the package
(with the used blade therein) in a suitable "sharps" container
(FIG. 14).
[0042] FIGS. 15-18 illustrate a further embodiment, wherein an
upwardly-projecting integrally-molded stud cooperates with a hole
in the blade for precluding lateral movement of the blade in the
package during manufacture, shipment and/or storage, thereby precluding
inadvertent dulling of the blade.
[0043] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of this further embodiment of
the blade and its package.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the blade of FIG. 15.
[0045] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal section, taken along the lines
17-17 of FIG. 15 and showing the pivoted tab lifted away from the
blade.
[0046] FIG. 18 drawing to an enlarged scale, illustrates the cooperation
of the upstanding pin or stud and the hole (or other opening) in
the blade.
[0047] FIGS. 19-22 show a still further embodiment, wherein cooperating
nibs are formed between the pivoted tab and the side walls of the
blade package for a stronger cooperation therebetween.
[0048] FIG. 19 is a partial top plan view thereof, drawn to an
enlarged scale.
[0049] FIG. 20 is a full top plan view thereof.
[0050] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along the
lines 21-21 of FIG. 20 and drawn to an enlarged scale.
[0051] FIG. 22 is a longitudinal section view thereof, taken along
the lines 22-22 of FIG. 20 and showing alternate positions of the
pivoted tab in broken lines.
[0052] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view, drawn to an enlarged
scale, showing the cleat on the scalpel received in the mounting
slot in the blade, the side edges of the blade (adjacent to the
mounting slot in the blade) being recessed within the diametrically-opposite
slits in the cleat on the scalpel handle.
[0053] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the blade package of the
present invention (with the surgical blade therein) recessed within
a sterile pouch (or other sterile container).
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] With reference to FIGS. 1-6 the improved blade package
10 houses a surgical blade 11. The package 10 has an open top 12
side walls 13 and 14 a bottom wall 15 a closed forward end 16
and an open rear end 17. A pivotable tab (or flap) 18 partially
covers the open top 12 and is joined to the package 10 by an integrally-molded
"living" hinge 19. The tab 18 has a raised thumb rest
20. The blade 11 is supported upon a transverse ledge 21 joining
the respective side walls 13 and 14 intermediately the length of
the blade package 10. The side walls 13 and 14 have indented or
scalloped recesses 22 and 23 respectively, adjacent to the open
rear end 17 of the package 10 and, preferably, these recesses 22
and 23 are suitable grooved (or knurled or roughened) as shown for
holding the blade package 10 between the thumb and forefinger. The
open rear end 17 of the package 10 (see FIG. 1) has guides 24 and
25 respectively, for slidably guiding the scalpel into the blade
package 10 (as hereinafter described).
[0055] With reference to FIGS. 7A-7D, 8A-8D and 9 the forwardly-projecting
cleat 26 on the conventional scalpel handle 27 is inserted beneath
the rear end portion 28 of the blade 11 and between the blade 11
and the bottom wall 15 of the package 10 (FIGS. 7B and 8B) and the
cleat 26 is continued upwardly and forwardly (FIGS. 7C and 8C) until
the blade 11 snaps on to the cleat 26 on the scalpel 27 and the
blade package 10 is disengaged from the scalpel 27 (FIGS. 7D and
8D) in one continuous upward and forward movement.
[0056] With reference again to FIG. 9 the blade package 10 may
be pulled away from the scalpel 27 (all in one motion) or, if desired,
the operator's thumb and forefinger may be shifted into the scalloped
concave recesses 22 and 23 respectively, to assure a better manual
grip and obtain more leverage.
[0057] Once the blade 11 has been used in a surgical procedure,
the reverse steps may be employed to re-position the (used) blade
11 in the original package 10 for disposal purposes.
[0058] This reverse procedure is shown in FIGS. 10-14 respectively.
Again, the scalpel 27 (with the used blade 11 thereon) is held in
one hand (FIG. 10) and the blade 11 is inserted into the package
10 (FIG. 11) and continued therein (FIG. 12) to strip the blade
11 off the scalpel 27 whereupon the blade 11 is wholly within the
package 10 and completely removed from the scalpel 27 (FIG. 13)
so that the package 10 (with the used blade 11 therein) may be tossed
into a conventional "sharps" container 29.
[0059] With reference to FIGS. 15-18 a modification is illustrated
wherein the transverse ledge 21 on the blade package 10 has an upstanding
pin or stud 30 (or other projection) received in a hole 31 (or other
opening) formed in the blade 11. The cooperation therebetween provides
additional assurance that the blade 11 will not shift laterally
during manufacture, shipment and/or storage of the blade package
10 thereby assuring that the tip 32 and cutting edge 33 of the
blade 11 will not become dulled or nicked.
[0060] With reference to FIGS. 19-22 a second modification is
illustrated wherein the pivotable tab 18 has a pair of oppositely-disposed
projections or nibs 34 (FIG. 21) received in cooperating recesses
35 in the sidewalls 13 and 14 respectively, of the blade package
10 thereby more securely retaining the pivotable tab 18 against
accidental or inadvertent dislodgement from the open top 12 of the
blade package 10. The retaining force of these nibs 34 however,
will not interfere with the upwardly and forwardly movement of the
scalpel 27 to mount the blade 11 on to the cleat 26 of the scalpel
27 and, using the inherent mechanical advance, pivot the tab 18
away from the open top 12 of the blade package 10 (FIG. 22).
[0061] With reference to FIG. 23 and as is conventional, the side
edges 36 and 37 respectively, of the blade 11 (adjacent to the
mounting slot 38 are received in the slits 39 and 40 respectively,
of the cleat 26 on the scalpel 27.
[0062] With reference to FIG. 24 the blade package 10 may be received
in a suitable pouch 41 (which is sterilized). In lieu of the pouch
41 a blister pack, foil or other suitable container (not shown)
may be employed for the blade package 10.
[0063] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
blade package 10 of the present invention is a decided improvement
over the prior art (including our own patents) and constitutes an
important and valuable contribution in the art. Not only is the
operation different and superior (an upward movement rather than
a downward movement) but, even more significantly, the original
blade package 10 becomes the disposable package or container for
the used blade 11.
[0064] Obviously, many modifications may be made without departing
from the basic spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than has been specifically described therein. |