MICHAEL ROBERT ABIDIN
Medical Practice in Charlottesville, VA

5569281, Oct 29, 1996

Apr 26, 1995

8/429194

Michael R. Abidin - Charlottesville VA
Steven P. Lehmbeck - Baltimore MD

A61B 1732

606167

A surgical scalpel (100) is provided with a retractable guard (107) for its cutting blade (106). The guard (107) is mounted on the handle (101) of the scalpel (100) for sliding movement between an advanced position in which the blade (106) is covered and a retracted position in which the blade (106) is exposed. The guard (107) may be moved with one hand, and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient or the instrumentation during a surgical procedure. A two-position resiliently-biased manually-releasable detent means (113) is provided between the handle (101) and the guard (107). A closed longitudinal slot (122, 123) on the guard (107) cooperates with a pin (121) on the handle (101) to limit the sliding movement of the guard (107) independently of the detent action therebetween and accommodates the mechanical loading forces. Preferably, the guard (107) comprises an inverted U-shaped channel member telescopically mounted within the hollow handle (101) for sliding movement therein.

5528811, Jun 25, 1996

May 5, 1995

8/435668

Michael R. Abidin - Charlottesville VA
Steven P. Lehmbeck - Baltimore MD

Bloom & Kreten - Towson MD

B23P 1904, B65D 8500, B26B 900

29428

A blade package assembly assures that a blade may be mounted on a surgical scalpel easily, conveniently and safely during a surgical procedure in an operating room. The assembly includes a base and a pivoted cover. The base supports a blade, and the cover at least partially encloses the blade. A pin on the base is received in a hole in the blade, and a ledge on the base supports the rear end portion of the blade. The scalpel has a forwardly-extending cleat received in a slot on the blade, and the scalpel with the blade mounted thereon may be lifted up and away to clear the package.