Disposable Scalpel Blade Assembly with Flexible Arm Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical scalpels pose safety risks due to the difficulty and danger of installing and removing blades, which can lead to exposure and reuse, potentially harming medical personnel.
Innovation Solution
A disposable surgical blade assembly with a flexible arm and locking mechanism that connects to a reusable handle, ensuring the blade cannot be reused by transitioning from a locking to a deadlocking state after use, preventing reinsertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional scalpel with exposed blade is used, then the blade can be easily installed and removed, but medical personnel are at risk of injury from the sharp instrument
Solution Approach 1:
A shield structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade and the user. The shield can be opened to expose the blade for use and closed to cover the blade for safety, mediating between the need for easy blade access and the need for personnel protection
Solution Approach 2:
The scalpel is divided into separate components: a reusable handle with shield, and a disposable blade assembly. This segmentation allows the blade to be easily attached and detached while the shield remains on the handle to provide continuous protection when the blade is not in use
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield structure is added to cover the blade, then safety is improved, but the scalpel can still be opened and closed multiple times allowing potential reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is designed as a disposable component that is intended for single use only. After use, the entire blade assembly is discarded rather than cleaned and sterilized, eliminating the possibility of reuse and ensuring that the shield cannot be reopened to use the same blade
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is pre-packaged in a sterile state and designed to be attached to the handle in a single loading action. The shield is initially closed and remains closed except during the brief moment of blade attachment, preventing premature exposure or reuse
3Speed
If the blade is kept exposed for easy access, then operation speed is improved, but safety is compromised due to continuous exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed to be dynamically adjustable - closed during storage and transport, open during blade attachment and use, and closed again after use. This dynamic behavior allows rapid access to the blade when needed while maintaining protection during non-use periods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances safety by preventing the reuse of the scalpel, eliminating the risk of blade exposure and ensuring single-use safety, thereby protecting medical personnel.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible arm is provided with a locking block used for engagement with a second inclined block at the front end of handle and a protrusion block used to prevent the deformation of the flexible arm
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a kind of disposable scalpel blade assembly and supporting reusable scalpel handle. The blade assembly consists of a blade, blade holder and blade shield wherein 1. The blade holder is provided with a flexible arm at the rear end. The flexible arm is provided with a protrusion block at the end of the flexible arm. The inner wall of the blade shield is provided with a clearance opening for said protrusion block. When the handle is inserted, the protrusion block extends into the clearance opening with a sideward movement, so that the blade and the blade holder are connected. But after the handle is pulled out, the protrusion block misaligns with the clearance opening and cannot make sideward movement such that the handle cannot be connected again; 2. The first sliding channel of the blade holder is provided with a first front locking channel at its front end and a deadlock channel is set in front of the first front locking channel. When the handle is pulled out after use of the scalpel, the first protrusion of the blade shield shall fall into the deadlock channel to enter the deadlocking state. The present invention thoroughly eliminates the safety problem of reusing the scalpel blade.