ROTARY SCALPEL STRUCTURE AND METHOD

摘要

Rotary scalpel structure and method which rotary scalpel may be either manual or automatic. The manual rotary scalpel structure includes an handle (230) having a biforcated end (234) between the ends of which a circular scalpel blade (28) is mounted for rotation. The automatic rotary scalpel includes a circular scalpel blade (28) secured at one end of a blade support arm (22) connected to a handle (12) having a drive motor (30) secured to the other end thereof and structure extending through the handle and the blade support arm for rotating the circular scalpel blade on energization of the motor. The automatic rotary scalpel includes structure for releasably securing the blade suport arm to the handle and a remote switch (34) for connecting the motor to an electrical power supply at the back of the handle from an actuating member from the front of the handle as well as an electric light (32) and an electrical circuit which provides for the light always being on when power is supplied to the rotary scalpel. The method of the invention includes rotating a circular scalpel blade and drawing it across an area in which an incision is required. With a manual rotary scalpel, the method includes rotating the blade by means of friction of the blade with the material in which the incision is being made, while in the automatic rotary scalpel structure of the invention, the blade is rotated prior to the incision being made.