Surgical device with a moveable instrument protector

• US 20050119680A1
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Diamatrix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diamatrix Incorporated
• Inventors: Dykes, Ronald E.
• Application Number:
  US11/031,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119680A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3211 Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable

Abstract

A surgical device having an instrument connected to a handle with a substantially cylindrical guard moveable between an open position exposing the instrument for use and a closed position substantially covering the instrument. The guard having at least one opening formed through a wall and extending substantially to or continuous with an end wall opening.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

a body having a reduced diameter portion between a handle portion and a tip portion;

an instrument carried by the tip portion;

an elongated, substantially cylindrical guard having an end wall forming a first opening for receiving the reduced diameter portion and a second opening formed opposite the first opening, wherein the end wall portion is slidable along the length of the reduced diameter portion between a closed position with the guard substantially covering the instrument and an open position where the instrument is uncovered;

a slot formed between the first and second openings continuous with the first opening; and

a locking mechanism for engaging a portion of the end wall portion for locking the guard in either the closed or open position.

2. The surgical device of claim 1 wherein the body is a unitary member.

3. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes threads formed on the end wall engageable with a first set and a second set of threads formed on the reduced diameter portion.

4. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the guard includes protrusions formed on the exterior thereof.

5. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the outside diameter of the guard is substantially the same as the handle portion of the body when the guard is in the open position.

6. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the guard further includes a second slot formed between the first and the second opening continuous with the first opening.

7. The surgical device of claim 1, further including:

a third opening formed through the guard partially exposing the body.

8. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the instrument is a hook.

9. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the instrument is a chopper.

10. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the instrument is a collar button.

11. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the instrument is a cutting blade.

12. The surgical device of claim 11, wherein the blade is non-linear.

13. A surgical knife comprising:

a body having a reduced diameter portion between a handle portion and a tip portion;

a non-linear blade carried by the tip portion;

an elongated, substantially cylindrical guard having an end wall forming a first opening for receiving the reduced diameter portion and a second opening formed opposite the first opening, wherein the end wall portion is slidable along the length of the reduced diameter portion between a closed position with the guard substantially covering the blade and an open position where the blade is uncovered;

a first slot and a second slot, each slot formed between the first and second openings continuous with the first opening; and

a locking mechanism for engaging a portion of the end wall portion for locking the guard in either the closed or open position.

14. The surgical knife of claim 13, wherein the blade includes at least two bends so as to be disposed within the guard when the guard is in the closed position.

15. The surgical knife of claim 13, wherein the body is a unitary member.

16. The surgical knife of claim 14, wherein the body is a unitary member.

17. The surgical knife of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism includes threads formed on the end wall engageable with a first set and a second set of threads formed on the reduced diameter portion.

18. The surgical knife of claim 14, wherein the outside diameter of the guard is substantially the same as the handle portion of the body when the guard is in the open position.

19. A method of constructing a surgical device, comparing the steps of:

forming a body having a reduced diameter portion between a handle portion and a tip portion;

forming a first set of threads on the reduced diameter portion proximate the handle portion and a second set of threads proximate the tip portion;

forming an elongated, substantially cylindrical guard having an end wall forming a first opening and a second opening formed opposite the first opening, the end wall portion having end wall threads engageable with the first and second set of threads;

forming at least two slots between the first and second opening continuous with the first opening;

expanding the diameter of the first opening and passing the tip and second set of threads through the first opening;

slidably positioning the end wall portion about the reduced diameter portion;

attaching an instrument to the tip;

engaging the end wall threads with the second set of threads locking the guard in a closed position with the guard covering the instrument; and

engaging the end wall threads with the first set of threads locking the guard in an open position with the instrument uncovered.

20. The method of claim 19, further including the step of:

bending the blade in at least two locations so as to dispose the blade within the guard when the guard is in the closed position.