Safety scalpel

Abstract

A scalpel may include a blade cover having a length within the range of 3 to 9 centimeters and a blade body having a blade carrier and a blade. The blade cover may include a housing, a front lock member, a back lock member, and a safety lock member. The blade body may be fully retractable and movable within the housing. The front lock member, the back lock member, and the safety lock member may be configured to define at least three different locked positions of the blade body relative to the housing.

1 . A scalpel comprising:
 a blade cover having a length within the range of 3 to 9 centimeters, wherein the blade cover includes:
 a housing, 
 a front lock member, 
 a back lock member, and 
 a safety lock member; and 
   a blade body having a blade carrier and a blade,   wherein the blade body is fully retractable and movable within the housing,   wherein the front lock member, the back lock member, and the safety lock member are configured to define at least three different locked positions of the blade body relative to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The scalpel of  claim 1 , wherein the three different locked positions include a use position in which the blade is exposed outside of the housing, a stowed position in which the blade is fully concealed within the housing, and a safety position in which the blade is fully concealed within the housing and is retracted further into the housing than the stowed position. 
     
     
         3 . The scalpel of  claim 2 , further comprising a pusher extending from outside of the housing into the housing, wherein the pusher is configured to cooperate with the front lock member and the back lock member to lock the blade body to the blade cover in the use position and the stowed position, respectively, wherein movement of the blade body corresponds to movement of the pusher. 
     
     
         4 . The scalpel of  claim 3 , wherein the pusher includes a first hook and a second hook, wherein the first hook is configured to engage the front lock member to lock the blade body to the blade cover in the use position, and the second hook is configured to engage the back lock member to lock the blade body to the blade cover in the stowed position. 
     
     
         5 . The scalpel of  claim 4 , further comprising a spring between the pusher and the blade body that biases the pusher to move away from a longitudinal centerline of the blade body and toward the front lock member or the back lock member, wherein the first hook can be disengaged from the front lock member or the second hook can be disengaged from the back lock member by pushing the pusher into the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The scalpel of  claim 2 , wherein the blade body includes at least one safety hook along an end of the blade body opposite the blade, wherein the safety hook is configured to cooperate with the safety lock member to lock the blade body to the blade cover in the safety position. 
     
     
         7 . The scalpel of  claim 2 , wherein the housing includes a first side with a first hole and a second side with a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are disposed on a common center axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the blade body and intersects with a path of movement of the blade such that the blade is configured to cut a structure extending through the first and second holes as the blade is moved toward the use position. 
     
     
         8 . The scalpel of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is transparent. 
     
     
         9 - 15 . (canceled)