Single use, self-contained twist resistant surgical knife
First Claim
1. A single use self-contained surgical knife having a single blade, comprising:
- a. containment means for housing said surgical knife blade;
b. stabilization means having at least a pair of slot faces for preventing twisting of said blade;
c. lateral stabilization means having at least two shaft support bushings for supporting a shaft carrying said blade;
d. retraction means for exerting spring tension on said knife blade to move said blade into said containment means;
e. locking means comprising a rectangular lug misaligned to a rectangular opening in a knurled ring member, for locking said knife blade in an ‘
in-use’
position; and
f. turning means for turning said knurled ring member to release the rectangular lug and retract the knife blade permanently into the said containment casing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single use self-contained surgical knife provides twist stability and lateral support for the knife blade. Turning a knurled ring member within the containment casing retracts the knife blade into the containment casing. Retraction of the blade is permanent; once retracted, subsequent usage of the knife blade is prevented. A substantial safety margin is provided, in that injuries occasioned by the retraction process are virtually eliminated. The knife blade remains forever in the retracted condition, preventing spread of blood borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis and the like, that might otherwise result from subsequent usage of the knife blade.
11 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A single use self-contained surgical knife having a single blade, comprising:
-
a. containment means for housing said surgical knife blade;
b. stabilization means having at least a pair of slot faces for preventing twisting of said blade;
c. lateral stabilization means having at least two shaft support bushings for supporting a shaft carrying said blade;
d. retraction means for exerting spring tension on said knife blade to move said blade into said containment means;
e. locking means comprising a rectangular lug misaligned to a rectangular opening in a knurled ring member, for locking said knife blade in an ‘
in-use’
position; and
f. turning means for turning said knurled ring member to release the rectangular lug and retract the knife blade permanently into the said containment casing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A process for making a single use self-contained surgical knife, comprising the steps of:
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a. assembling together a plurality of components to form a central knife shaft assembly of said surgical knife, said components including;
(i) a central shaft;
(ii) a welded knife blade;
(iii) a welded cylindrical lug; and
(v) a welded rectangular lug;
b. assembling component parts of a two part containment casing structure having a containment member and a support member capable of providing lateral and twist support for said knife blade and said central knife shaft assembly;
c. inserting said central shaft assembly into said support member;
d. inserting a compression spring to rest on the said support member;
e. inserting a knurled ring member aligning a rectangular opening with a rectangular lug of said central knife shaft assembly;
f. applying pressure with a specialized tool to compress the said compression spring against said cylindrical lug; and
g. turning said knurled ring member to misalign said opening with said lug.
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Specification