METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PIERCING EARS

摘要

An ear piercing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a pistol (1) and a disposable cassette (20) mounted on said pistol, the pistol (1) having a body portion (10), a handgrip (11), a spring biased plunger (12) and means for releasing said plunger from a cocked state, with said disposable cassette (20) comprising a stud housing (22) positioned adjacent said body portion (10) for cooperation with said plunger (12) and a back clasp housing (23) cooperating with the stud housing (22) via a guide member (33) extending from the back clasp housing (23) and passing into the stud housing (22) for cooperation with positioning means controlled by a positioning lever (38) on said pistol (1) for relative axial displacement of the stud housing (22) and the back clasp housing (23). So as to reduce the risk of infection to the patient and to the operator from residual body fluid secretion, the positioning means in said apparatus engages with said guide member (33) at a location within said stud housing (22) so that no part of said positioning means or said pistol extends beyond said stud housing (22).