GB2417453A

GB2417453A - Blade aid device

Info

Publication number: GB2417453A
Application number: GB0418827A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Abdul-Rah Khan-Sullman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-24
Filing date: 2004-08-24
Publication date: 2006-03-01
Also published as: GB0418827D0

Abstract

A blade aid device suitable for use with a scalpel comprises two co-acting components 9, 10, each with an inner and an outer part, interconnected via a means of motion 11, designed to enclose and encapsulate a blade 28 when in a closed position, such that the device can be reversibly opened and closed, and may be secured in the closed position when the device is in use. The device also features blade abutment surfaces 12, 19 on both co-acting components 9, 10 that serve to keep the enclosed blade in a fixed, reproducible, and non-displaceable position within the device when it is in the closed position. Additionally, the device is provided with means of guidance that align, assist and direct the handle-key 6 to and from a blade keyhole 2 during the process of blade-to-handle engagement and disengagement, with blade-flexing means provided to ensure that the rear-end of the enclosed blade does not interfere with or impede the process of blade-gripping and blade-flexing actions only occurring when the device is in the closed position, with the blade positioned within the device.

Description

24 1 7453

BLADE AID DEVICE

(RUSSELL SULLMAN - 21/08/2004)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of surgical instruments for incision such as the scalpel. Specifically for a sheath designed to allow the safe and secure storage, safe engagement and disengagement to a scalpel handle, and the safe disposal of a scalpel blade.

BACKGROUND

The scalpel has changed little for millennia. Currently the popular style involves attachment of a disposable blade to a reusable handle. After use, the blade is disposed of carefully in a special container.

According to current styles of scalpel, the engagement and the disengagement of the blade to and from the scalpel handles are risky and hazardous procedures to the individual handling the scalpel or its component parts. As the blade is thin, there is the further danger of blade fracture during attachment or detachment to the handle.

Because of the risk from transmissible diseases, and the requirements of clinical practice guidelines and insurance provisos, there is the demand for a method of safely storing, engaging, disengaging and disposing of the scalpel blade with minimal risk and ease of use. In the midst of a long or complicated procedure, the chances for carelessness are increased.

Attempts to satisfy the needs have been made, but none can satisfy or provide all of the following requirements: 1. Safe storage before and after use, 2. Safe transport from the manufacturer to the operator, 3. Safe and secure attachment/detachment of blade to handle, 4. Safe coverage of the blade during those parts of the surgical procedure when the scalpel is not in use (i.e. the periods of time between usage of the scalpel during the operative procedure), and 5. The safe disposal ofthe disposable scalpel blade.

The invention being claimed for herein (The Blade Aid Device) is able to satisfy and provide for all of these requirements in the one invention.

DESCRIPTION

A Blade Aid Device comprising two component parts of the casing of a blade encapsulating device, said component parts (hereinafter described as casings) being interconnected via a means of motion (such as a flexural hinge), such that the device can be reversibly opened and closed (i.e. transferable from a closed position to a open position more than once), with a means to reversibly/temporarily secure the device in a closed and/or locked position when in use (e.g. such as a clip).

Each casing has a blade abutment surface that engages part of one planar surface of the blade, so that acting together in conjunction, the blade abutment surfaces of the two casings grip and hold the surgical blade in a fixed and reproducible position within the device, when the device is in the closed position.

There is provided within the closed device a means to flex the enclosed blade such that the rear-border of the wider part of the keyhole does not restrict or interfere with the withdrawal of the handle key during bladehandle detachment, and similarly does not interfere with the insertion of the handle-key into the blade-keyhole during blade- handle attachment.

One or more blade-flexing projections are located within the first of the hvo casings, with one or more similarly shaped corresponding depression(s) located in the opposite, co-acting second casing. Together, the projection(s) and the corresponding depression(s) act to flex the blade in such a way that the insertion and withdrawal of the handle-key occurs smoothly without interference from the blade rear-end adjacent margin of the wider part of the blade keyhole, whilst allowing unimpeded access to the keyhole of the device-enclosed blade.

The projections and depressions that serve to facilitate the bflemng additionally assist in supporting the blade during flexure, thereby reducing destructive forces, reinforce the blade, and maintain its structural integrity Preferably, the device acts to flex the angled, rearend of the blade away from the plane containing the blade. The handle key may be introduced into the device along an axis that is parallel to or the same as the axis of the blade (when unflexed), or it may be introduced along an axis that is at an angle to the axis of the blade (when unflexed).

When the device is in the closed position and enclosing the blade, it incorporates features that guide and direct the handle key, when inserted into the device through an access aperture, directly into the keyhole of the blade, thereby facilitating blade-to- handle attachment in a safe way.

Similarly, when the blade of a scalpel (comprising blade-attached handle) is enclosed within the device, the handle-key may be detached from the keyhole of the enclosed and grippedlfixed blade, and then withdrawn from the device via the fixed path formed by the guidance features and out through the access aperture.

The device guidance features serve to position the handle key in the correct position for attachment and detachment in relation to the blade keyhole, i.e. they serve to place the longitudinal margins (i.e. the margins of the narrow part of the slot that are parallel with the longitudinal length of the keyhole) of the narrow part of the keyhole in correct alignment with the locating/gripping slots/undercuts incorporated into the handle-key. Additionally, these guidance features serve to counteract and prevent horizontal and vertical deviation of the handlekey from the correct position and alignment during the process of bladehandle attachment and detachment.

When the device is closed, it encloses and contains the entire blade, although the blade abutment can be designed/shaped so as not to place any damaging or otherwise blunting forces on the delicate cutting edge of the blade.

As the blade-gripping abutment surfaces hold the blade in a fixed and reproducible position within the device, they additionally resist and structurally reinforce the blade against the stressful forces experienced normally by the blade during attachment and detachment.

The device would be preferably provided in a clear form, at least in part, to allow the clinician visual assistance in blade-handle attachment and detachment, and may be provided in a disposable or re-usable form.

The blade gripping surfaces may be smooth or shaped, to allow optimal gripping with minimal placement of destructive forces on the blade. The blade gripping surfaces being positioned in a way that does nor interfere with nor impede the passage of the handle-key during the blade-to-handle attachment and detachment procedures.

The device may be provided with additional means of handling and/or manipulation for added safety.

As the blade gripping surfaces preferably place fixing/gripping forces within the perimeter of the blade, i.e. within the blade border margin, it is possible to use the device with a wide variety of differently shapes/styles of blade, unlike the patent EP90301342.3, which will only accommodate two or three shapes.

The device is preferably shaped to accept more than one shape or style of blade, although some embodiments of the device may be provided for use with specific shapes or styles of blade.

Components of the device may be provided in a flexible or semi-flexible form, and if fabricated from plastic, may be injection-moulded.

The external surface of the device may be smooth, rough, patterned, or a combination of these to allow optimal ease of handling and function. The device may be provided in a number of different shapes and styles.

There may be provided additional features to assist in the correct coaction and closure together of the casings.

The device may be provided in a form wherein there is no means of motion interconnecting the two separate casings, but instead they may be separate, and clip together when in function, i.e. in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example, an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l is a perspective view of the prior art, showing the component parts of a scalpel when they are not attached, Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in the open position, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 when a surgical blade is placed within it before closing the device, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and 3 when the blade- enclosing device is closed, and with the handle positioned ready for insertion, Figure S is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the blade- enclosing device when closed, with the handle positioned ready for insertion, Figure 6 and 7 show how handle attachment is effected.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is prior art, and shows a surgical blade 1, with the two-width blade keyhole 2, composed of a narrow-width slot 3 and a wider width slot 4, and surgical handle 5 with handle key 6.

Handle key 6 carries integral slot features 7, which engage with the longitudinal margins/edges 8 of slot 3 to facilitate blade-to-handle attachment.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, which comprises two co-acting casings 9 and 10, which are interconnected via flexural hinge 11, about whose axis the device can be opened and closed.

Casing 9 incorporates blade abutment component 12, through which runs a trenchlslot 13, which is similar in width to the handle key.

At one end of the blade abutment 12 is space 14, which is designed to accommodate the borders and cutting edges of the front end of the surgical blade when it is placed in position in the casing 9. At the other longitudinal end of the blade abutment 12 are located the blade- flexing projecting components 15 and 16, with passage 17 leading to a side opening 18 in the casing 9.

The opposing casing 10 incorporates a blade abutment component 19, which is partially bifurcated by a trench 20 (and which, like trench 13, is of similar or the same width as the width of the handle-key). There is a space 2 I located adjacent to the hinge 11, which like] 4, is designed to accommodate the blade borders and cutting edge of the front end of the blade. At one longitudinal end of the blade abutment 19 is located a downwards-angled slope 22, which is complementary to the projecting components 15, 16, and which terminates at the blade-retaining bar 23, which acts as a border to the side opening 24 of the casing 10.

Longitudinal sidewalls 25, 26 located on casing 9,10 respectively, serve to limit horizontal displacing forces on the blade by acting on the upper and lower borders of the enclosed blade. In the case of a blade having curved or bending upper and lower borders, the sidewalls of the device can be correspondingly curved to furler assist in keeping the blade immobile and fixed in position. Where the sidewalls are curved, they also resist displacement of the blade towards the access aperture, and act as blade immobilisers in the detachment and attachment process.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 2, when a Surgical blade 27 is placed in position on casing 10 prior to closing the device, when after closing the device, the casing 9 would overlie the blade, and the projections 15,16 would place gentle flexing forces on the blade, so that the rear-end of the blade 28 would be flexed downwards in a curve similar to the curve of the sloping surface 22, thereby exposing the keyhole for handle insertion.

When the device is closed, the blade abutments 12 and 19 sandwich parts of the blade between them, with the trenches 13 and 2Q together forming a tunnel, the tunnel being bisected by the plane of the blade, with the longitudinal margins of the narrow slot of the keyhole being exposed. When the handle-key is inserted through the access aperture (formed by the side openings 18 and 24 when the device is closed), it arrives at the opening of the tunnel formed by the blade abutments 12 and 19.

As the tunnel-space is the same or similar in dimension to the handle-key, when the key is inserted into it, the tunnel prevents unwanted deviation of the key, whilst also aligning, guiding and directing the handle-key into position in the enclosed-blade's keyhole, i.e. the tunnel assists and aligns the handle-key so that its integral slots 7 match up with and engage with the longitudinal margins 8 of the narrow slot of the keyhole, thereby facilitating blade-to-handle attachment.

The access-aperture adjacent ends of the blade-abutment parts 12 and 19 forms the tunnel opening. The blade edges 29 are protected and contained by the cavity-space formed when closing the device brings the spaces 14 and 21 together. The action of closing the device flexes the rear-end of the enclosed blade downwards, thereby assisting in the facilitation of blade to handle insertion and detachment (as flexing of the blade is a normal part of the blade-handle attachment and detachment procedure).

The wider part of the handle, i.e. the key-adjacent end of the handle is contained by the passage between the access aperture and the entrance to the blade-abutments formed tunnel.

The inner, blade-gripping surfaces of the casings are shaped so as to accommodate and support the blade to be used.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3 when it is in the closed position, with a handle 5 positioned and aligned ready for insertion into the blade-enclosing device.

Figure S shows a longitudinal cross-section of the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 when closed and enclosing blade 27, with keyhole 2 formed by narrow 3 and wider 4 slots, with the rear-end of the blade 28 being displaced downwards by the projecting elements (not shown). With the blade being flexed, the rear-end 28 of the blade does not interfere with the path of insertion of the handle-key 6. Blade abutment partsl2 and 19 serve to hold the blade 27 immobile and fixed whilst the device is closed.

The action of the gripping blade abutments ensures that the front end 34 of the blade and at least the narrow part 3 of the keyhole 2 remain parallel to the floors 35,36 of the trenches 13,20 respectively, whilst the position of the projecting elements control how much of the blade is flexed, ensuring that at least the narrow part of the keyhole remains unflexed and aligned with the inserted key.

Blade edges 29 remain safe and protected within space 37 formed by 14,21.

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal view of the embodiment shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 wherein the handle-key 6 has been inserted into the device up to the point at which the keyhole narrows to the EnuTOv slot 3, which is parallel to parlance means surfaces 35,36, so that the longitudinal margins of slot 3 are aligned with but not yet engaged with the integral slots of the handle key, and 35,36 prevent handle-key deviation. The rear-end of the blade 28, being flexed out of the normal, unflexed, plane of the blade, and does not interfere with the key path of insertion, nor impedes or blocks the passage of the handle-key 6 into and through the tunnel-space guidance means.

Figure 7 shows the device as shown in Figure 6, except the handle-key 6 has now been completely inserted into the blade keyhole, and the handle fully engaged with the surgical blade.

As the blade and handle in Figure 7 are engaged to form a scalpel, the device can now be opened and the scalpel removed. As the scalpel is removed, the flexed rear-end of the blade springs back (by virtue of the elasticity of its manufacture) so that 2& shares the same longitudinal linear axis as the rest of the blade 27, and the blade is then in the full operative position, ready for use.

This then, is how the process of blade-thandle attachment is achieved safely and without risk by using the device.

Blade detachment would be facilitated by the process shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 being done in reverse, with the projecting components flexing the blade out of position at the rear-end of the handle key, and then the blade-retaining bar, in association to the blade-retaining bar in some cases, serves to further assist in keeping the blade within the device when the handle-key is disengaged from the blade keyhole. The guidance means assist the clinician in withdrawing the key from the blade and from the device.

The axis-path of insertion and removal of the handle-key as defined by the means of key guidance features in the device may be either parallel to the plane of the flat surface of the blade (i.e. that part of the blade from the front-end to at least the narrow-width slot-part of the keyhole), or be at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device- enclosed blade.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the device wherein part 44 of the handlekey guidance features exists at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the blade (blade not shown) when placed in the device.

Figure 9 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the device at the section containing the narrow-width slot of the blade 51, wherein the longitudinal margins 52 of the blade are engaged with the integral slots 53 of the handle-key 54, the boundary surface of the guidance means S5 serving to align key 54 correctly in relation to the blade 51 keyhole. The means of guidance prevents unwanted deviation ofthe handle- key, whilst also aligning and assisting in key-to-keyhole engagement and detachment.

This therefore makes the process of blade-handle attachment and detachment a safer and easier one, whilst also providing a containment device for blade disposal subsequent to blade detachment.

Other embodiments and modifications of the invention, which are readily apparent to those skilled in the art, are to be deemed within the scope and ambit of the invention, and the particular embodiment(s) herein before described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly being sought.

Summary - Essential features of the invention

A Blade Aid Device for blade storage, transport, attachment, detachment and disposal, characteristically featuring A Blaenelosing dewce comprised of two component parts (casings) interconnected by a means of motion to allow reversible opening and closure of the device, each component part having a-a inner am outer surface, and each being complementary to the other and designed to fit together (whether the device encloses a blade or does not) when the device Is in the closed position, Part of the inner surface of the first component part (first casing) of a co-acting pair bears a blade-abutment surface that, in conjunction with the blade abutment surface of the second, co-acting second component part (second casing), grips and holds the device-enclosed blade in a fixed, immobile and reproducible position between the casings and within the device when in the closed position, Each component part additionally bears a feature, that in conjunction with the matching feature located on the opposing, complementary co-acting component part, form a means of guidance to allow the correct insertion, alignment and positioning of the handle-key in relation to the device-enclosed blade's keyhole, said means of handle keyguidance assisting in and facilitating the attachment of the blade to the keyhole (and vice versa in blade-handle detachment), A means of flexing the device-enclosed blade in such a way as to flex and bend the rear part of the blade away from the plane containing the flat surface of the blade, such that the insertion/withdrawal of the handle-key to and from the keyhole is inimpeded g

Claims

I) A Blade (encapsulating) Aid Device comprising two co-acting bladehousing components (casings3, each with an inner and an outer surface, interconnected via a means of motion (such as a flexural hinge), such that the device can be reversibly opened and closed (i.e. where the casings are rotated about the axis of the means of motion to allow the device to be opened and closed more than once in user, with a means of reversibly securing the device in the closed position to allow risk-free use, and characterised in that: - i) The first casing incorporates a blade-abutment surface that operates in conjunction with the blade- abutment surface of the second, co-acting casing, to serve to dually grip and hold the device-enclosed blade in a fixed and reproducible position within the device when it is in the closed position, id a means of guidance within the device that directs, guides and aligns the handle-key for assisted engagement and detachment from the blade-keyhole of the device-enclosed blade, and which prevents deviation of the key from the assisted path of engagement and detachment, iii) a means to facilitate blade-flexing to facilitate handle key to blade keyhole engagement and detachment, it the rear part of the device- enclosed blade interfering with or impeding the. process of smooth key to keyhole insertion and removal; Pa 2) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handle key is inserted into the device and removed from the device via an access aperture located on the outer surface of the- device and formed by the co- actinn of the two component casings when the device is in the closed position; 3) A Blade aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the enclosed blade is structurally reinforced temporarily by the forces applied on it from the device these forces resisting and counteracting those exerted on the blade during the stressful procedure of handle to blade engagement and disengagement; 4) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device incorpQrates.blade-flexing features which. in. addition.to flexing the blade additionally support it in the flexed position from bow planar sides, reducing the stressful destructive forces that may be exerted upon it; 5) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the guidance features serve to align handle key with blade-keyhole, and assist in optimal positioning of the former in relation to the latter; 6) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the direct the handle-key into a position of full engagement and attachment with the device enclosed blade;

7) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the guidance features of the device assist in the detachment of the blade from the handle of the scalpel and handle-key withdrawal from the device for the minimal expenditure of effort; 8) A Blade- Aid Device that can be opened and closed more than once; 9) A Blade aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein embodiments of the device can be made of plastic materials; 10) A Blade aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be made, in whole or part, of clear or semi-clear materials; 1 1) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device incorporate features that resist the displacement of the enclosed blade within

X

the device when displacing forces are placed upon it, whilst also holding said blade in a fixed and reproducible position within the device when it is in the closed position; 12) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be provided in a form able to enclose a blade of only one style, size or shape!, 13)A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is provided in a form that can enclose a blade of more than one specific shape, size or style; 14) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are provided areas of relief within the device when in the closed position, to minimise placement of harmful or damaging forces on the delicate blade edge, whilst maintaining placement of optimal gripping forces on the planar surfaces of the blade when the device is closed; 15}A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim whereon the rear- end of the device-enclosed blade is flexed out of the plane in which the unflexed blade exists, whilst the blade from the stipend to the narrow- wide junction part of the keyhole has no flexing forces placed upon it and is not flexed; 16) A Blade Aid Device as claimed ire any receding claim wherein the surfaces of the blade-gripping parts of the device may be smooth or patterned; 17)A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the outer surfaces of the device are shaped or patterned to optimise handling; 18) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be provided with additional means of handling; 19) A Blade aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein parts of the device may be flexible or semi-flexible; 20) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are additional features that assist in the correct closure of the device; 21) A Blade aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the two casings are not interconnected but instead clip together; 22) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is larger than the blade it is designed to enclose; 23) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is provided with one or more opening to aid in visual confirmation and assistance during engagement and disengagement; 24)A Blade aid Dewce as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device- is provided with a means of reversibly securing the device in the closed position; 25) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the guidance features serve to direct the handle-key along a constant and reproducible path of movement; 26) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the blade abutment surface of the first casing engages part of one planar surface of the blade, whilst the blade abutment surface of the second, co- acting casing engages part of the reverse planar surface of eth blade, such that the forces being applied on both planar surfaces of eth blade serve to keep the blade gripped and locked in position when the device is in the closed position; 27) A Blade Aid device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inner surfaces of each casing (i.e. that part of each casing that faces the blade) bear features such as planes or other locating factors that serve to position and keep lo the blade in a fixed and reproducible position within the device when it is in the closed position; 28)A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be provided with external means of direction and guidance; 29) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means of motion may be located along the width or length of the device, 30) A blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be provided in a form for use with a specific style, shape or size of blade; 31)A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be provided in a form for use with more than one specific size, shape or style of blade; 32) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device may be provided in a form for use with future styles of blade and/or handle; 33) A Blade aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the two casings are dissimilar in shape, style and /or size; 34) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are incorporated features to secure the blade in a fixed, stable and reproducible position within the device when it is in the close position; 35) A Blade Aid device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is provided with an unused blade enclosed within it, so that the device also acts as a blade storage and transport device' 36) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the device is provided with additional means of blade stabilization; 37) A blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are provided methods of guidance are incorporated into the device to further assist in the correct placement of parts of the handle for use in attachment and detachment; 38) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provide more the one aperture for insertion, or guidance; 39) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provided a means of handle support; 40) A Blade Aid Device as claimed in any preceding clam wherein the means of key guidance are located on both planar side of the enclosed blade; 41) A Blade Aid device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the component parts of the device may be detachable from one another; 42jA Blade Aid Device substantially as claimed herein, with reference to the embodiments, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings.