Surgical device with a moveable instrument protector

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 016,984 entitled Protection System for Surgical Instruments, filed on Dec. 7, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates in general to surgical devices and more particularly to a surgical device having a protector moveable between an open position exposing an instrument and a closed position covering the instrument. BACKGROUND [0003] Surgical devices include a working end or instrument that may be delicate and / or have a sharp point or cutting edge. Examples of such instruments include scalpels, blades, hooks (such as Sinskey hooks, Bonn hooks, insertion hooks, twist hooks and the like), scissors (such as retinal scissors and the like), picks (such as retinal picks and the like), forceps, probes, lens manipulators, markers, collar buttons, choppers, cystotomes irrigation needles and cannulas, spatulas (such as Castroviejo spatulas ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about surgical devices with a movable guard to protect the instrument. The device includes a body with a reduced diameter portion between a handle and a tip carrying the instrument. An elongated, cylindrical guard is disposed on the body with two openings. A slot is formed between the openings. The device also includes a locking mechanism for locking the guard in either the closed or open position. The body may be a unitary member, reducing costs of manufacturing. The guard may have slots for expanding the openings and additional openings for facilitating cleaning and sterilization. The surgical device may include various instruments non-linear and angled for placement within the guard. The method of constructing the surgical device involves forming a body with reduced diameter and threads, attaching an instrument to the tip, and slidably positioning the end wall about the reduced diameter portion. The technical effects of the invention include improved protection of the instrument, ease of cleaning and sterilization, and facilitation of placement of the instrument within the guard."

Problems solved by technology

Surgical devices include a working end or instrument that may be delicate and / or have a sharp point or cutting edge.

The instruments can be extremely sharp, and the extreme sharpness may render them hazardous when passed back and forth during use in surgical procedures.

If the instrument has already been used on the patient, then there is a potential danger of infection since any sharp or tapered instrument can very easily cut or rip through a surgical glove and the skin beneath the glove.

Additionally, if the entire surgical device is not sterilized it may introduce infection in the patient.

While this arrangement solves some of the limitations of the prior art surgical devices, other common limitations still exist.

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