GB2411856A

GB2411856A - Scalpel with adjustable blade

Info

Publication number: GB2411856A
Application number: GB0405507A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Khan-Sullman Sullman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-11
Filing date: 2004-03-11
Publication date: 2005-09-14
Also published as: GB0405507D0

Abstract

A scalpel adaptor comprising a first part 17 adapted for connection to the blade attachment means of a scalpel handle 3, a second part 16 providing blade attachment means 6 to which a scalpel blade 2 can be removably attached, and turn means 18,19 to provide for the first part and second part to be inclined to one another when they are interconnected via said adaptor.

Description

241 1 856 - 1

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SCALPELS

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to scalpels.

Background

One of the primary tools of the surgeon is the scalpel - which comprises a blade holder 1() having at one end blade attachment means to which a disposable scalpel blade is attached. It is a ubiquitous tool found throughout the world of medical, dental and veterinary surgery, and has been in use for thousands of years.

The style of scalpel currently available comprises a generally flat handle having at one end blade attachment means to which a scalpel blade can be removably attached such that the scalpel blade exists in the same plane as the scalpel handle. As a result of this, the axis of the attached blade and handle is essentially the same. Although this gives the surgeon an effective instrument, it requires the surgeon to flex his/her wrist in order to cut in two or more different directions. This becomes difficult when there is little () space available in the operating field, e.g. as in the mouth when attempting to cut excess gum tissues overlying a partially erupted wisdom tooth.

With a view to overcoming this difficulty, and in accord with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scalpel adaptor comprising a first part adapted for connection to the blade attachment means of a scalpel handle, a second part providing blade attachment means to which a scalpel blade can be removably attached, and turn means to provide for the first part and second part to be inclined to one another.

The turn means may comprise at least one pivot mechanism with associated lock means 3() to lock the angle of inclination of the adaptor's first and second parts. Optionally this angle of inclination can be set to any one of specific predetermined values or to any angle desired from l to 90 . - 2

Alternatively the first and second parts are fixed to one another as a unit via a bend (or fold line) constituting said turn means.

The angle between the first and second parts may incline the plane containing one of said parts to the plane containing the other of said parts. Alternatively or additionally, the first part may be inclined to the second part at an angle in the same plane as that containing the first part.

The scalpel adaptor may be a single component, or it may be composed of a plurality 1() of sub-components which may be secured to one another, permanently or releasably.

In a first example the adaptor may comprise a simple intermediate attachment secured between blade and handle, with the rigid shape of the adaptor determining the fixed relationship in both angle and plane between blade and handle. This is probably the most appropriate form of construction for a single-use disposable form of adaptor In a second example the adaptor may be modified to have the handle-adjacent end pre formed, or modifiable, to become a handle itself, thereby allowing the clinician to hold and manipulate the scalpel without the need for a separate handle. In effect, when the 2() scalpel blade alone is attached to the Holder, it is ready for use.

A third example comprises a holder into which one or more components (e.g. pivots, screws, clips, joints, or the like) are incorporated so that, when adjusted, the axis and/or plane of the handle-adjacent end of the holder is different to the axis and/or plane of the scalpel-adjacent end of the holder.

The position of the turn/pivot points allows for adjustment and alteration of the blade to-handle relationship in all three dimensions by adjusting the holder, and does not necessitate the detachment of either the blade or the handle from their fixed 3() relationships to the holder, once they have been releasably secured to it. - 3

The holder can be made from more than one part. For example, the parts of the holder on each side of the or each pivot or other turn means may be separate components secured to one another to allow the 'turning' function.

The position of the blade can be changed without the need for blade removal from either handle or holder. The relationship of blade to handle in terms of all three dimensions may be not permanently fixed whilst the holder is in position between them, but changeable.

A finger and/or thumb rest can be incorporated into the holder to allow the clinician greater stability and application of directed force.

The points of attachment of both blade and handle may be designed for use with existing styles of each, or they may be designed to be complementary to new or future style of handle and/or blade.

Embodiments of the invention can be provided in disposable or re-usable forms.

The blade may also be incorporated into the holder, e.g. where provided for disposable 2() single-use, thereby making removal of the blade from the handle (by holding the holder during removal from the handle) a less fraught and dangerous experience for clinicians.

Indeed, the holder could house the blade (e.g. like a sheath) when not in use, thereby further reducing risk.

Alternatively the blade, holder and handle may also be incorporated with one another to form a single unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example one embodiment of this invention will now be described with 3() reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 (A) is a perspective view of a currently conventional scalpel Figure 1(B) is a similar view to Fig 1(A) but shows the components separated. - 4

Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of a scalpel in a first embodiment of the invention in a fixed and rigid form, Figure 2(B) is a plan view in a direction opposite to arrow X of Fig 2A, Figure 2(C) is a lateral elevational view in a direction opposite to arrow -Y of Fig 2A, Figure 2(D) is a lateral elevational view in a direction opposite to arrow Z of Fig 2A, Figure 2(E) is a perspective view of an adapter unit shown in Figs l(A) to I D), Figure 3(A) is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention Figure 3(B) is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention Figure 3(C) is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention, Figure 5(A) is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, with the scalpel blade exposed and in an in- use condition, Figure S (B) is a similar view of the embodiment of Fig SA showing the blade disposed in the adapter for safety when not in use, Figure 6(A) is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the invention wherein a finger rest has been incorporated (to be engaged in use by the tip of the user's forefinger), Figure 6(B) is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the invention 2() constituting a modified form of the embodiment shown in Fig 6(A) Figure 7 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the invention Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of parts of a tenth embodiment of the invention Figures 9(A), 9(B) and 9(C) are three orthogonal views of an eleventh embodiment of the invention in which adjustable gauges are placed at two points in the adapter to allow deployment of the blade in three dimensions Figure IO(A) illustrates a twelfth embodiment of the invention having two pivots incorporated into a rigid shape to which a blade and a handle can attach, Figure IO(B) shows pivotal axis AB and CD of the two pivots of Fig IO(A), and the 3() variable planar angle theta between the two axes, Figure IO(C) shows the embodiment of Fig lO(A) in perspective in isolation, - 5 Figure 11 shows a thirteenth embodiment of the invention wherein the turning of the screw allows the length of the blade to be turned though a 360 degree axis, Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of this invention, Figure 13 is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of this. invention, Figure 14 is a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of this invention, Figure IS is a perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of this invention, Figure 16(A) is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of this invention, Figure 16(B) is a diagrammatic representation of the planes containing parts of the embodiment of Fig 16(A), Figure 17(A) is a perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment of this invention, Figure 17(B) is a diagrammatic representation of the planes containing parts of the embodiment of Fig 17(A), Figure 18(A) is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of this invention, Figure 18(B) is a diagrammatic representation of the planes containing parts of the embodiment of Fig 18(A), Figure l9(A) is a perspective view of a twenty first embodiment of this invention, Figure 19(B) is a similar view of the embodiment of Fig 19(A) with a scalpel blade attached, 2() Figure 19(C) is a diagrammatic representation of the planes containing parts of the embodiment of Fig 19(A) and 19(B).

Figure 20(A) is a perspective view of part of a twenty-second embodiment of the invention and also shows the three mutually orthogonal lines X,Y,Z; Figure 20(B) is a view taken in an direction opposition to arrow X in Fig 20(A), Figure 20(C) is a view taken in a direction opposite to arrow Y in Fig 20(A), Figure 20(C) is a view taken in a direction opposite to arrow Z of Fig 20(A), Figure 21(A), 21(B) and 21(C) are three perspective views (A), (B) and (C) of the embodiment shown in Fig 20 and with a blade- hub attached to each of the attachment points 75,76,77; 3() Figure 22(A) and 22(B) are perspective views of twenty-third and twenty-fitth embodiments providing for two different orientations of the blade, Figure 23 is a perspective exploded view of a twenty-sixth embodiment of the invention; 6 Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view of a twenty-seventh embodiment of the invention; and Figure 25 is an exploded perspective view of a twenty eighth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Example(s! of the Invention Figures 1A and ID show a currently conventional kind of scalpel 1 namely a Swann Morton handle No. 3, with an attached No. 15 surgical blade. The generally planar blade 2 is provided with an opening 2_ having the general form of an elongated keyhole 1() to receive a keying part 4 of the generally rectilinear handle 3. The keying part 4 is provided on each of its opposite lateral faces with a longitudinally directed narrow slot 4_. To assemble the illustrated parts for use, the handle's keying part 4 is inserted into the blade's keyhole 2a and the two components are moved towards one another such that the narrower boundary of the blade's keyhole 2_ slides into and tightly along the longitudinal slots 4_ in the handle's keying part 4. It will be seen from Fig IA that, when thus attached to one another, the generally planar blade 2 and the generally rectilinear handle 3 share or coexist in the same plane (ABCD) and are directed generally along the same axis (YZ).

2() Referring now to Figure 2, like parts of the scalpel shown have like reference numerals to the prior art of Figure 1. However in this embodiment of the invention the scalpel I comprises a generally planar surgical blade 2 attached to one end a blade holder in the form of an angled intermediate adapter member 5. Such attachment is by an attachment part 6 at that one end corresponds to attachment part 4 of the handle 3 of Figures IA and IB. This angled intermediate adapter member 5 is itself secured by its other end to the attachment 4 of the generally rectilinear handle 3 of this embodiment. When interconnected, the three components 2, 3 and 5 together provide a scalpel in which the blade end of the scalpel does not share the same plane or axis as the handle end of the scalpel. It will be noted that angled intermediate adapter member 5 constitutes a scalpel adapter comprising a first end part adapted for connection to the blade attachment means 4 of a scalpel handle 3, a second end part 6 providing blade attachment means 6 to which a scalpel blade 2 can be removably attached, and turn means to provide for the first part and the second part to be inclined to one another.

- -

The illustrated non-rectilinear angled member 5 preferably has an angle "J" of about 45 between its blade-adjacent end and its handle-adjacent end. However the angle or bend "J" in member 5 can be less than or greater than that value, and in general can be less than, equal to or greater than a 90 .

It will also be seen from Figure 2 that at least part of the angled member 5 exists in the same plane as the handle 3, and that part shares the same axis as handle 3. Similarly, at least part of the angled member 5 exists in the same planes as, and shares the same axis as the scalpel blade 2.

Figure 3 (A) shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig 2 but one in which the angled member 5 has its angle "J" between scalpel-adjacent end and handle-adjacent end of the order of 90 .

Figures 3(B) shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig 2 but one in which the angled member has an angle between scalpel-adjacent end and handle-adjacent end that is greater than 90 .

Figures 3(C) shows an embodiment similar to that of Fig 2 but one in which the angled 2() member has an angle between scalpel-adjacent end and handle-adjacent end that is less than 90 .

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the handle 7 is rigidly and forwardly incorporated into the structure by providing for the adapter and handle to be integral with one another. For this the axis of the distal, blade-adjacent end 7_ of the handle 7 is at an angle to the proximal handle end 7_. In this arrangement, where the handle is in effect incorporated into the adapter, the blade 2 (once fitted) can be either fixed or adjustable in position.

Figure 5A shows in perspective yet another alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the blade 2 is incorporated as a unit into an adapter that has the 'turn means' and is itself releasably attached to the scalpel handle 3.The blade 2 is mounted on a pivot 8 and can swivel about an axis running through the pivot 8 which allows the angle of the blade axis to the axis of the handle 3 be adjusted as required. It also allows the blade to be moved from an in-use condition (Figure 5A) to a stowed or out-of-use - 8 safety condition in which the blade is housed in the blade- adjacent end of the combined handle/holder, the arrow showing the direction of blade movement. Thus the blade can be safely put away when the scalpel is not in use.

Figure 6(A) shows an embodiment of the invention wherein a digit rest 9 is incorporated into the adapter. The user can place a finger or thumb (preferably the forefinger) against the rest 9 to assist in force application and/or cutting direction of the scalpel. The embodiment may be modified to provide one or more rests at the same or other positions to accept the tips of either the thumb and/or the fingers, and thereby also further improve overall grip and control of the implement.

Figure 6(B) shows an adapter comprising two parts 11 and 12 linked to one another via a pivot 10 which allows for movement of blade 2 and the bladeadjacent end part 11 of the adapter by manipulation of digit rest 9. This enables the clinician to alter the angle between the blade and the handle without having to remove the scalpel or his/her hand

from the operating field.

Figure 7 shows in perspective an embodiment of the invention comprising an adapter between blade and handle, and composed of three main parts 13, 14 and 15 that are 2() pivoted to one another by pivots extending along two mutually orthogonal axes SD and FG. These pivots allow for movement of the blade in three dimensions and neither the blade nor the handle needs to be detached for this to be achieved. Optionally the pivots can be immobilised once the shape of the scalpel has been adjusted to the desired shape.

Alternatively or additionally, the scalpel can be provided in a large number of forms where the angles and planes between parts 13, 14 and 15 vary such that both axial and planar relationship of the blade 2 in relation to the handle 3 can be varied as desired.

Figures 8(A), 8(B) and 8(C) show another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the adapter (between handle and blade) is made of two separate parts 16 and 17.

3() The forward part 16 provides a blade-adjacent end of the adapter and, at the other end, has a rearwardly protruding a male component 18 that fits into a female component 19 provided forwardly of the part 17 that, rearwardly thereof, provides the of a handle adjacent end of the adapter. Fig. 8(A) shows the arrangement with the two parts of the adapter separated. Male component 18 can be inserted (in the direction of arrow P) into female component 19 in any one of various pre-arranged orientations and such that the plane of the adapter's blade-end 6 is at a selected one of a plurality of angles to the general plane of the handle-end. This best seen in Fig. 8(B), in which the plane of the blade-end RSTU extends at 45 to the plane of the handle-end VWXY, and in Fig. 8(C) where that angle (and the angle between parts 16 and 17) is of the order of 90 .

Figure 9 shows yet another embodiment of the invention wherein the scalpel handle 3A is integral with the blade holder 22. For this embodiment, the adapter or holder 22 comprises two adjusting components 20 and 21 (akin to a knurled thumbscrew and an externally knurled inwardly flanged collar) to provide pivotal axes at roughly 90 to 1() one another. These components 20 and 21 allow for the adjustment of blade 2 into varying positions relative to the handle 3. Loosening of knurled thumbscrew 20 allows for the adjustment of the blade 2 relative to blade holding part 22, whilst adjustment of knurled collar 21 (held captive by its inwardly directed flange) allows for the adjustment of the blade holding part 22 relative to the handle 3A. After adjustment to the desired positions, tightening of the knurled thumbscrew 20 and knurled collar 21 allows for the components 2, 22 and 3 to be releasably locked in position in relation to one another.

Figures IO(A), IO(B) and IO(C) illustrate another embodiment of the invention 2() incorporating a two-part adapter. The blade 2 is releasable coupled to the blade-end 6 of the adapter That blade end is coupled via a male part and female part coupling (e.g. as that shown and described with reference to Figs 8 and/or 9) to an intermediate component 26 provided with a bend at an angle 0. The intermediate component is itself coupled via a male part and female part coupling (e.g. as that shown and described with reference to Figs 8 and/or 9) to a handle-end part provided with a keyhole opening to receive the coupling part 4 of the scalpel handle 3. The two couplings are lockable by two externally knurled collars 24, 25 each held captive by an inner flange and in effect provide two pivot axes AB and CD, rotation about them being indicated by arrows 27,28 respectively (see Fig IO(A)). The two pivot axes are more clearly shown in Fig. 3() IO(B) which also shows that the angle O may be less than 90 , 90 (as shown in IO(A)), or greater than 90 .

Alternatively, instead of locking of the selected relative angular positions by rotating the inwardly flanged collars 24 and 25, the collars 24 and 25 can be arranged actually to effect relative rotation respectively of the blade to the intermediate adapter and of - 10 the intermediate adapter to the handle. The arrows 27 and 28 show the arcs of rotation for this about axes AB and CD at an angle to one another equal to 0, see Figure lO(B).

Figure 11 shows yet another embodiment of the invention with an incorporated handle 3, an adjustable lever or screw 29 being provided operative such that, when turned, it turns or rotates blade 2 to any angle (ip to 360-degree) about its axis as required.

The structure of each of the embodiments shown in Figs 11 to 19 will be clear from viewing those Figures.

In the above-described embodiments where the scalpel handle is incorporated as an integrated unitary structure with the adaptor, the bend is provided at the key-adjacent end of the handle at either: 1. Some point along the flat handle (see Figure 12) or Fig 13 or Fig 14, or Fig IS 2. Some point along the key itself (supplementary Figures 13 or Fig 14, or Fig 15 where the adaptor does not have an incorporated handle.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated from Fig 16 that alternative embodiments of the adaptor can have more than one bend. Two such bends "Z" are shown: 2() 1. along the length of the key 31 (see Figures 16A and 16B) where the adaptor is integral with an incorporated handle 2 2. along the length of the adaptor 3 (see Figures 17A and 17B) which contains both bend Z' and bend Z" 3. Some combination of bends along both the adaptor's connection part 3 and its keying part 51 of the unitary handle-plus adaptor construction. See Figures 1 8A and 1 8B which shows that the key 61 at an angle 2" between ADC, e.g. similar to 90 to the key-adjacent end of the handle 2 in plane DEFJ, and the angle Z" where plane DEFJ exists at a 90 angle to plane ABCD, i.e. angled to one another in two orthogonal planes.

3() 4. Where the key 61 exists at an angle Z to the shaft T which, unlike the key, shares the same axis and plane (BCDE) a the handle 2, and where the plane ABFG of the flat or the blade 4 (see Fig 19B) exists at 90 to the plane BCDE of the shaft and handle. - 11

In the embodiment of Figure 20(A) to 20(D), the scalpel handle 79 has a three position blade-hub attachment, part 79_-in the form of a cube- and comprising three mutually orthogonal externally threaded spigots 75, 76 and 77. The axis of each blade hub as shown is at 90 to each of the others.

Figure 21(A) shows the embodiment of Figure 20 with a blade-hub combination 66 attached selectively to one of the hub attachment points 75,76 and 77 (see respectively Fig 21 (A), Fig 21 (B) and Fig 21 (C)). . Figure 21(A) shows a perspective view of the invention with the blade component 66 attached to handle component 79 at hub attachment 75, whereas Fig. 21(B) shows component 66 attached to handle 79 at attachment 76, and Fig. 21 (C) shows the blade component 66 attached to 79 at attachment 77.

The two further embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 22 (A) and (B) have the axis of the blade not in line with the axis of the hub. In Fig 22(A), the plane MNOP and axis TZ of the blade 7 exists in the same plane ABCD as the axis ZR of the handle 79. In contrast, in Fig 22(B), the plane MNOP of the blade 7 exists at right angles to the plane ABCD. 2()

Figure 23 shows in perspective an example wherein the handle 79 is bent at a point along its length, in this case close to the blade-hub end. This bend allows the scalpel to be used in restricted locations, e.g. in the dental cavity. In this it is similar to the "turn" in direction that is possible to be provided in the embodiment of Figs 20,21 and Figs 22(A) and 22(B).

The handle component 79 of each above described embodiment may be nonrectilinear.

It may also be flat (as with current styles of handle, e.g. Swann-Morton), rounded (e.g. pencil-shaped, to give a pen grip), or otherwise shaped to improve use and function. 3()

In the embodiment of Fig 24, a rod-like handle 79 terminates in a crosshead 86 directed orthogonally to the axis of handle 79. One end of crosshead 86 is provided with an external thread 88 and a blade-and-hub combination 66,67 can be screwed onto thread 88 to extend laterally at right-angles to the handle's axis. A protective cap or - 12 sheath 12 is removably fastened to the hub 66, e.g. as by a screw-threaded arrangement.

This protective sheath or cap 12 may be provided with a means of handling/gripping to assist in proper placement or removal of the bladehub 66,67 with respect to the handle, as well as to assist in the correct alignment of the scalpel blade 67 in relation to the scalpel handle component 79. Guides may be provided as guidance for satisfactory alignment of the blade to the handle.

The embodiment of Fig 25 provides a globe-like head 96 at the distal end of its handle 79, this head 96 being provided with extending externally threaded spigots 95 extending from the head 96 at varying angles to the axis of handle 79. Preferably, and as shown, three such spigots 95 are provided directed orthogonally to one another (and one being co-axial, i.e. at zero degrees, to the axis of handle 79). This allows the blade-and-hub combination 66,67 with the removable sheath or protective cap 12-to be attached to the handle 79 in a variety of positions, e.g. axially or at 90 to the axis (of handle 79) The above-described and illustrated embodiments of the invention, and/or modifications of them, may incorporate one or more of the following features: 2() 1. means by which a blade and a handle can be attached to one another, and a bend or pivot is provided between the two such that the two are not fixed in the same axis and/or plane, but instead exist or extend in differing planes and/or axes; 2. means for attachment of a surgical blade and a scalpel handle to a holder, wherein a bend or a pivot is incorporated such that it is possible to adjust the scalpel so that the plane and/or axis of the handle is different from the plane and/or axis of the handle, 3. means of attachment for handle and/or blade suited for fitment to current styles of blade and/or handle, 4. more than one bend or pivot are incorporated in the same construction, 5. the handle and adapter are incorporated into a single unit (thereby precluding the need for a separate handle), 6. the blade and adapter are incorporated into a single unit (thereby precluding the need for a separate blade), 7. one or more digit rests, i.e. finger or thumb rests, are incorporated, 8. one or more pivots are incorporated, 13 9. adjustment screws and/or collars are incorporated 10. both pivots and bends are incorporated in the same device, 11. pivots may turn through 360 degrees or less, 12. pivots can be adjusted in position, and when adjusted, they can be fixed/secured in that position, 13. the bends may be less than, the same as, or greater than 90 , 14. pivots allow rotation of the blade about a plane shared by the plane of the blade, 15. the blade can be made to pivot about its axis, 16. the handle and/or blade may be attached to either side of the device (i.e. the obverse and reverse sides), 17. the device may be jointed; 18. the device may be made of two or more parts, 19. said parts may be adjustably fitted and detachable to one another by the clinician, 20. said parts may be permanently secured together so that they can be changed in position without detaching from one another, 21. the blade can be sheathed within part of the device, 22. the device may be provided in disposable and non-disposable forms, - 14

Claims

l. A scalpel adaptor comprising a first part adapted for connection to the blade attachment means of a scalpel handle, a second part providing blade attachment means to which a scalpel blade can be removably attached, and turn means t-o provide for the first part and second part to be inclined to one another when they are interconnected via said adaptor.
2. A scalpel adaptor according to Claim 1, wherein the turn means comprises at 1() least one pivot mechanism with associated lock means to lock the angle of inclination of the adaptor's first and second parts.
3. A scalpel adaptor according to Claim 2, wherein the angle of inclination can be set to any one of specific predetermined values or to any angle desired from l to 90 .
4. A scalpel adaptor according to Claim l, wherein the first and second parts are fixed to one another as a unit via a bend (or fold line) constituting said turn means.
5. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the angle between 2() the first and second parts inclines the plane containing one of said parts to the plane containing the other of said parts.
6. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim wherein the the first part is inclined to the second part at an angle in the same plane as that containing the first part.
7. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim wherein the scalpel adaptor is a single component, 3()
8. A scalpel adaptor according to any one of Claims l to 6, wherein the scalpel adaptor is composed of a plurality of sub-components which may be secured to one another, permanently or releasably.
9. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the adaptor comprises a single intermediate attachment secured between blade and handle, with the l - 15 rigid shape of the adaptor determining the fixed relationship in both angle and plane between blade and handle.
10. A scalpel adaptor according to Claim wherein the handle-adjacent end pre formed, or modifiable, to become a handle itself.
11. A scalpel adaptor according to Claim which comprises a holder into which one or more components (e.g. pivots, screws, clips, joints, or the like) are incorporated so that, when adjusted, the axis and/or plane of the handle-adjacent end of the holder is different to the axis and/or plane of the scalpel-adjacent end of the holder.
l 2. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the position of the turn/pivot points allows for adjustment and alteration of the blade-to-handle relationship in all three dimensions by adjusting the holder, and does not necessitate the detachment of either the blade or the handle from their fixed relationships to the holder, once they have been releasably secured to it.
13. A scalpel adaptor according to Claim wherein the holder is made from more than one part. 2()
14. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim wherein the position of the blade can be changed without the need for blade removal from either handle or holder.
15. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim wherein a finger and/or thumb rest is incorporated into the holder.
16. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the points of attachment of both blade and handle are for use with existing styles of each,
17. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the adaptor is provided in disposable form. - 16
18. A scalpel adaptor according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the adaptor is provided in re-usable forms.
19. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the blade is incorporated into the holder, e.g. where provided for disposable single-use, thereby making removal of the blade from the handle (by holding the holder during removal from the handle) a less fraught and dangerous experience for clinicians.
20. A scalpel adaptor according to any preceding Claim, wherein the holder could house the blade (e.g. like a sheath) when not in use, thereby further reducing risk.
21 A scalpel adaptor substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
22. A scalpel comprising a scalpel blade, a handle, and to interconnect the scalpel blade and handle, a scalpel adaptor according to any one of the preceding Claims. 2()