SURGICAL SCALPEL WITH AUTOMATICALLY RETRACTABLE BLADE

摘要

A surgical scalpel includes a blade carried by a blade support, which is slidable within an outer sheath. The blade support is movable from a first position in which the blade is within the sheath to a second position in which the blade is exposed. One end of the blade support has a hollow cylinder, in which a stationary piston is disposed. Movement of the blade support from the first position to the second position creates a vacuum within the hollow cylinder, so that when the surgeon releases his or her grip on the scalpel, the blade support is quickly and automatically retracted to the first position.