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.

1 . A surgical device comprising: 
 a body having a reduced diameter portion between a handle portion and a tip portion;    an instrument carried by the tip portion;    an elongated, substantially cylindrical guard having an end wall forming a first opening for receiving the reduced diameter portion and a second opening formed opposite the first opening, wherein the end wall portion is slidable along the length of the reduced diameter portion between a closed position with the guard substantially covering the instrument and an open position where the instrument is uncovered;    a slot formed between the first and second openings continuous with the first opening; and    a locking mechanism for engaging a portion of the end wall portion for locking the guard in either the closed or open position.    
     
     
         2 . The surgical device of  claim 1  wherein the body is a unitary member.  
     
     
         3 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes threads formed on the end wall engageable with a first set and a second set of threads formed on the reduced diameter portion.  
     
     
         4 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the guard includes protrusions formed on the exterior thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the outside diameter of the guard is substantially the same as the handle portion of the body when the guard is in the open position.  
     
     
         6 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the guard further includes a second slot formed between the first and the second opening continuous with the first opening.  
     
     
         7 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , further including: 
 a third opening formed through the guard partially exposing the body.    
     
     
         8 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a hook.  
     
     
         9 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a chopper.  
     
     
         10 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a collar button.  
     
     
         11 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a cutting blade.  
     
     
         12 . The surgical device of  claim 11 , wherein the blade is non-linear.  
     
     
         13 . A surgical knife comprising: 
 a body having a reduced diameter portion between a handle portion and a tip portion;    a non-linear blade carried by the tip portion;    an elongated, substantially cylindrical guard having an end wall forming a first opening for receiving the reduced diameter portion and a second opening formed opposite the first opening, wherein the end wall portion is slidable along the length of the reduced diameter portion between a closed position with the guard substantially covering the blade and an open position where the blade is uncovered;    a first slot and a second slot, each slot formed between the first and second openings continuous with the first opening; and    a locking mechanism for engaging a portion of the end wall portion for locking the guard in either the closed or open position.    
     
     
         14 . The surgical knife of  claim 13 , wherein the blade includes at least two bends so as to be disposed within the guard when the guard is in the closed position.  
     
     
         15 . The surgical knife of  claim 13 , wherein the body is a unitary member.  
     
     
         16 . The surgical knife of  claim 14 , wherein the body is a unitary member.  
     
     
         17 . The surgical knife of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism includes threads formed on the end wall engageable with a first set and a second set of threads formed on the reduced diameter portion.  
     
     
         18 . The surgical knife of  claim 14 , wherein the outside diameter of the guard is substantially the same as the handle portion of the body when the guard is in the open position.  
     
     
         19 . A method of constructing a surgical device, comparing the steps of: forming a body having a reduced diameter portion between a handle portion and a tip portion; 
 forming a first set of threads on the reduced diameter portion proximate the handle portion and a second set of threads proximate the tip portion;    forming an elongated, substantially cylindrical guard having an end wall forming a first opening and a second opening formed opposite the first opening, the end wall portion having end wall threads engageable with the first and second set of threads;    forming at least two slots between the first and second opening continuous with the first opening;    expanding the diameter of the first opening and passing the tip and second set of threads through the first opening;    slidably positioning the end wall portion about the reduced diameter portion;    attaching an instrument to the tip;    engaging the end wall threads with the second set of threads locking the guard in a closed position with the guard covering the instrument; and    engaging the end wall threads with the first set of threads locking the guard in an open position with the instrument uncovered.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of: 
 bending the blade in at least two locations so as to dispose the blade within the guard when the guard is in the closed position.