Surgical knife with retractable blade
A surgical knife for ear surgery includes a handle comprising a control mechanism and a shaft coupled to and extending distally from the distal end of the handle. A rod disposed within the shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, wherein the proximal end of the rod is coupled to the control mechanism and wherein the rod is configured to translate along a longitudinal axis of the shaft upon actuation of the control mechanism. The surgical knife further includes a straight knife coupled to the distal end of the rod, wherein translation of the rod causes the straight knife to extend or retract out of the distal end of the shaft. The surgical knife further includes a round knife attached to the distal end of the shaft.
1 . A surgical knife, comprising:
a handle configured to be held by a user, the handle comprising a control member;
a unitary shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle;
a rod slidably disposed within a channel of the unitary shaft and comprising a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, wherein the proximal end of the rod is coupled to the control member, and wherein the rod is configured to translate along a longitudinal axis of the unitary shaft upon actuation of the control member;
a straight blade coupled to the distal end of the rod, wherein translation of the rod causes the straight blade to extend from or retract into the distal end of the unitary shaft; and
a round blade fixedly coupled to the distal end of the unitary shaft at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the unitary shaft;
wherein the straight blade retracts into the unitary shaft to which the round blade is fixedly coupled;
wherein the straight blade has a fixed rotational orientation within the unitary shaft relative to the round blade such that a cutting edge of the straight blade is directed away from the round blade thereby allowing the surgical knife to be rotated to switch between the straight blade and the round blade without interference.
2 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein an angle of the round blade relative to the longitudinal axis of the unitary shaft is adjustable via plastic deformation.
3 . The surgical knife of claim 2 , wherein the round blade is formed of a flexible thermoplastic material.
4 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the round blade comprises a substantially circular or oval disc-like shape.
5 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the straight blade comprises a linear, concave, convex, or sickle-like shape.
6 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a locking mechanism for securing the control member in at least a first preset position and a second preset position.
7 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a locking mechanism with continuous positioning for securing the control member at any position along a range of positions.
8 . The surgical knife of claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring-based locking mechanism, and wherein the control member is configured to be unlocked by application of a downward force against the control member.
9 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , further comprising:
a suction tube disposed within the unitary shaft, the suction tube in fluid communication with a distal port disposed at the distal end of the unitary shaft and a proximal port disposed in the handle, wherein the proximal port is configured to be operably coupled with a vacuum source to provide a vacuum pressure at the distal port.
10 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a locking mechanism for securing the control member in at least a first preset position, the locking mechanism comprising a spring configured to bias the control member such that a protrusion on the control member engages a corresponding locking groove formed in the handle.
11 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a locking mechanism for securing the control member, wherein the control member is configured to be unlocked from the locking mechanism by application of a force transverse to the longitudinal axis of the unitary shaft.
12 . The surgical knife of claim 1 , wherein the unitary shaft is rotatable relative to the handle.