Protection system for surgical instruments

• US 6,884,240 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2001
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diamatrix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diamatrix Incorporated
• Inventors: Dykes, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US10/016,984
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 606/167, 606/166, 606/172, 606/1, 301/62, 302/86
• US Class Current: 606/1
• 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 protection system for surgical instruments having a body with an instrument at one end. A movable guard is provided that moves between locked open and locked closed positions. The guard includes a grip and an opening to provide access for cleaning.

Claims

1. A surgical device comprising:

a body having a handle portion and a distal end with an instrument extending therefrom; and

a guard member disposed around the body being selectively slidable along and around the body, the guard member comprising;

a first opening formed for receiving a reduced diameter portion of the body;

a second opening formed opposite the first opening for receiving the distal end of the body;

a third opening formed between the first and second openings and extending to the first opening partially exposing the body; and

a means for locking the guard member in either an open position to expose the instrument, or a closed position to protect the instrument comprising threads.

2. The surgical device of claim 1 further comprising a grip on the guard member.

3. The surgical device of claim 2 wherein the guard member is translucent.

4. The surgical device of claim 1 wherein the guard member is translucent.

5. The surgical device of claim 1 wherein the guard member is translucent and includes a plurality of protrusions formed on the exterior the thereof.

6. The surgical device of claim 1 further including a plurality of protrusions formed on the exterior of the guard member, the protrusions facilitating movement of the guard member and reducing rolling capacity of the surgical device.

7. The surgical device of claim 6 wherein the threads include a first set of external threads and a second set of external threads on the reduced diameter portion of the body.

8. The surgical device of claim 1 wherein the threads include a first set of external threads and a second set of external threads on the reduced diameter portion of the body.