Scalpel sheath and methods for use
First Claim
1. A sheathed scalpel comprising:
- a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
a blade attached to the distal end of the handle and having a cutting edge and a tip; and
a sheath attached to the handle and having a central passage configured to receive the blade, wherein the sheath covers the blade when the blade is retracted within the central passage and exposes the cutting edge of the blade but not the tip when the blade is advanced within the central passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides improved devices and methods for making a small incision with a surgical scalpel through skin overlying an intercostal space to establish an access tract for the subsequent placement of minimally invasive direct cardiac massagers, chest tubes, defibrillation electrodes, and the like. A sheathed scalpel according to the present invention comprises a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, a cutting blade attached to the distal end of the handle and having a cutting edge and a tip, and a sheath attached to the handle and having a central passage configured to receive the blade. The sheath covers the blade when the blade is retracted within the central passage and exposes the cutting edge of the blade but not the tip when the blade is advanced within the central passage.
18 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A sheathed scalpel comprising:
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a handle having a proximal end and a distal end;
a blade attached to the distal end of the handle and having a cutting edge and a tip; and
a sheath attached to the handle and having a central passage configured to receive the blade, wherein the sheath covers the blade when the blade is retracted within the central passage and exposes the cutting edge of the blade but not the tip when the blade is advanced within the central passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A sheath for use with a scalpel having a handle, a blade attached to the handle, and a structure on the handle, the sheath comprising:
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an elongated housing having a central passage configured to receive the blade and an aperture disposed to expose a cutting edge of the blade when the blade is advanced within the central passage, wherein the housing fully covers the blade when the blade is retracted within the housing;
wherein the housing has a structure disposed thereon to mate with a structure on the handle so as to prevent further advancement of the blade when the blade is advanced so that a tip of the blade remains covered while a bowed cutting edge of the blade is exposed through the aperture.
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15. A method for making a small incision through skin overlying an intercostal space, the method comprising:
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providing a scalpel having a sheath;
retracting the sheath relative to the scalpel so that a part of a scalpel blade is exposed beyond the sheath; and
advancing the scalpel blade through skin overlying the intercostal space to form the small incision, wherein a cutting depth of the scalpel blade through the overlying skin is limited by the sheath. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification