Suture removal scissor

Abstract

Disposable scissors for cutting surgical bandages, sutures and the like, comprising scissors having attached thereto semi-rigid, flexible handle means, the handle means being frictionally and removably attached to the scissors to permit normal operation of said scissors.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scissors of various types are known in the art. Traditionally, scissors made entirely of metal are provided by machining or molding metal parts and such scissors are generally expensive, re-usable and therefore, not disposable. In medical uses, where sterility is desired, such scissors must be sterilized, e.g., steam sterilized, before use. Scissors suitable for such use are generally expensive and the sterilization procedures are often time-consuming and costly. To overcome these disadvantages, other types of less expensive scissors have been proposed which essentially are made of a flexible material, such as plastic, where only the blade portions are of metal. Although less expensive than the all metal scissors, its function has not been entirely satisfactory. Since the handle portions are flexible and contain no metal for support therethrough, situations arise where it is difficult to obtain adequate leverage through the handles for satisfactory cutting action at the tips of the blades. Therefore there appears to be a need for a scissor which will provide the cutting action of an all metal scissor, yet be inexpensive in construction to be disposable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to disposable scissors comprising a pair of pivotally attached elements, each element having a cutting edge at one end thereof. Each cutting edge is positioned to be in opposed relation to the other in order that the edges work against each other. Each element has a shank portion at the end opposite the cutting edge, each shank portion having frictionally and removably attached thereto, a semi-rigid flexible handle. The elements also have abutment means positioned on the inside of at least one shank portion. The flexible handles, when attached to the pivotally attached elements, provide means for operating the scissors to cut in a conventional manner.

The invention consists of a new and useful construction, combination and arrangement of parts as described in the specification and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments have been presented. It is to be understood that the drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly in section with exploded parts, and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the scissors 10 comprises elements 12 and 14 which are attached by means of pivot 28. Each of the elements 12 and 14 have at one end thereof blades 16 and 18 which are provided with cutting edges 17 and 19 respectively. Elements 12 and 14 are attached in a manner such that edges 17 and 19 are in opposed relation and work against each other.

Elements 12 and 14 have at the ends opposite blades 16 and 18, shank portions 20 and 22. Abutment means 24 and 26 are positioned on the inner side of shank portions 20 and 22 in a manner such that the tips of blades 16 and 18 will come together in a closed position at the same time abutment means 24 and 26 contact each other. Such abutment means, once having contacted each other also provide a leverage point to facilitate the cutting of objects in the area of the tips of blades 16 and 18. It is to be understood that, although two abutment means are shown, if desired, only one may be employed where it is of sufficient length to obtain the results as previously described.

Shank portions 20 and 22 also have projection means 30 and detent 32. Projection means 30 is adapted to engage depression 38 of handle 36 and thereby limit the axial or horizontal movement of the handle once postioned on the shank portion. Such movement is further restricted in the forward direction, i.e., in the direction of blades 16 and 18, in that end 34 of the shank portion is positioned against end surface 42 of handle 36. Vertical movement of the handle is restricted by means of positioning detent 32 into opening 40 as handle 36 is attached to shank portions 20 and 22. FIG. 2 shows detent 32 locked into position in opening 40. The movement of handle 36 on shank portions 20 and 22 may be further restricted by constructing the handle in a manner such that sides 50 and 52 frictionally engage the broad outer surfaces of the shank portion.

Handle 36 is shown to have finger receiving means 44 wherein finger openings are provided for operation of the scissors. It should be understood that the illustrations shown are preferred embodiments only and that other suitable finger receiving means may also be employed. Such handle may be constructed of any semi-rigid, flexible material including rubber; polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; substituted aromatic hydrocarbons such as polystyrene; phenol formaldehyde condensation products and the like. The handles may be prepared by methods known in the art such as by injection molding and the like.

The particular scissor construction of the present invention as hereinbefore described, provides all of the advantages of traditional all metal scissors. For example, the shank portions 20 and 22 extend the substantial length of handle 36 to offer the same leverage for cutting purposes. On the other hand, the material construction is much that the total cost is substantially less. This is primarily due to the flexible material employed in the removable handle. All metal scissors require molding or machining the entire scissor including the handle. The present invention provides a removable handle which is not metal ad is not molded or machined with the scissor. Since the scissors of the present invention are relatively inexpensive, they may be discarded after a single use. For example, for surgical use in hospitals, the scissors may be used once and thrown away. This offers another advantage in that the cost of sterilization is avoided for subsequent use. Furthermore, since the construction of materials permit sterilization of the scissors, it would find particular advantageous use in medical applications.

From the previous description and drawings it is believed that the construction and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and advantages of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a disposable scissor having a pair of elements pivotally attached together at a pivot point, each having at one end thereof a cutting edge and each having at the other end thereof a shank to which is attached a flexible handle having finger openings, the improvement wherein,

said shanks each extend, beyond the pivot point, in a substantially straight line over substantially the entire length of the handle and are positioned over said finger holes to provide leverage for cutting;

horizontal and axial movement limiting means are provided comprising a projection on said shank engaging a depression in said handle; and

vertical movement limiting means are provided comprising a detent on said shank portion engaging an opening in said handle.