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US3915169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical knife having malleable shank
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-14
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A surgical knife for removing meniscus from human knee joints or the like and adjacent the concave surfaces of the tibia, for example. The knife has a malleable shank portion which can be shaped by the surgeon as surgery progresses so that the blade at the end of the shank can be directed accurately in the desired path of the incision without damaging the articular cartilage, veins, nerves or arteries. The surgical knife also includes a hinge in the shank portion which permits the sharp blade to be turned in the desired location within the incision, and this actuation is accomplished by a mechanism in the handle of the knife and under full and accurate control of the surgeon.
Inventors
- 👤 George Mcguire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A surgical knife comprising, a malleable shank having a metal core extending therein, a cutting blade on one end of said core and having a cutting edge adjacent one end of said knife, said knife also having a handle portion at the other end of said shank, said shank being shapable by hand to conform to the desired path of movement of said blade during surgery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A surgical knife comprising, a malleable shank having a metal core extending therein, a cutting blade on one end of said core and having a cutting edge adjacent one end of said knife, said knife also having a handle portion at the other end of said shank, said shank being shapable by hand to conform to the desired path of movement of said blade during surgery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The knife set forth in claim 1 including a hinge formed in said shank for swingably mounting said blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The knife set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said hinge is formed by a transverse notch in said shank which permits said core to bend.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The knife set forth in claim 1 including spaced and substantially parallel probes extending from said one end of said knife and formed integrally with said shank, said probes being located at each end of said blade so as to shield the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The knife set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said shank is molded of low density polyethylene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
A surgical knife comprising, a malleable shank formed of malleable material, said shank having a metal core extending therein, a steel blade fixed to one end of said core and having a cutting edge adjacent one end of said knife, a hinge formed in said shank for swingably mounting said blade, tension means connected to said blade and extending along said core for swinging said blade relative to said shank; said core, blade and tension means being encapsulated in said malleable material and being molded therein, said knife also having a handle portion at its other end and connected to the other end of said shank, and means on said handle portion for actuating said tension means to cause said blade to swing on said hinge, said shank being shapable by hand to conform to the desired path of movement of said blade during surgery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
A surgical knife comprising, a malleable shank formed of malleable material, said shank having a metal core extending therein, a steel blade fixed to one end of said core and having a cutting edge adjacent one end of said knife, a hinge formed in said shank for swingably mounting said blade, tension means connected to said blade and extending along said core for swinging said blade relative to said shank; said core, blade and tension means being encapsulated in said malleable material and being molded therein, said knife also having a handle portion at its other end and connected to the other end of said shank, and means on said handle portion for actuating said tension means to cause said blade to swing on said hinge, said shank being shapable by hand to conform to the desired path of movement of said blade during surgery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The knife set forth in claim 6 further characterized in that said hinge is formed by a transverse notch in said shank which permits said core to bend.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The knife set forth in claim 6 including spaced and substantially parallel probes extending from said one end of said knife and formed integrally with said shank from said malleable material, said probes being located at each end of said blade so as to shield the latter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The knife set forth in claim 6 further characterized in that said malleable material is low density polyethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The knife set forth in claim 6 further characterized in that said actuating means includes a shiftable trigger carried on said handle portion, said tension means comprises a flexible metal member which is rigidly attached to said trigger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
A surgical knife for removing meniscus in a human knee joint or the like, said knife comprising, a malleable shank formed of low density polyethylene, said shank having a metal core extending therein, a steel blade fixed to one end of said core and having a cutting edge adjacent one end of said knife, a transverse notch in said shank which forms a hinge and permits said core to bend for swingably mounting said blade, tension means connEcted to said blade and extending along said core for swinging said blade relative to said shank; said core, blade and tension means being encapsulated in said malleable material and being molded therein, said knife also having a handle portion at its other end and connected to the other end of said shank, and means on said handle portion for actuating said tension means to cause said blade to swing on said hinge, said shank being shapable by hand to conform to the desired path of movement of said blade during surgery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
169 words
A surgical knife for removing meniscus in a human knee joint or the like, said knife comprising, a malleable shank formed of low density polyethylene, said shank having a metal core extending therein, a steel blade fixed to one end of said core and having a cutting edge adjacent one end of said knife, a transverse notch in said shank which forms a hinge and permits said core to bend for swingably mounting said blade, tension means connEcted to said blade and extending along said core for swinging said blade relative to said shank; said core, blade and tension means being encapsulated in said malleable material and being molded therein, said knife also having a handle portion at its other end and connected to the other end of said shank, and means on said handle portion for actuating said tension means to cause said blade to swing on said hinge, said shank being shapable by hand to conform to the desired path of movement of said blade during surgery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The knife set forth in claim 11 including spaced and substantially parallel probes extending from said one end of said knife and formed integrally with said shank from polyethylene, said probes being located at each end of said blade so as to shield the latter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The knife set forth in claim 11 further characterized in that said actuating means includes a shiftable trigger carried on said handle portion, said tension means comprises a flexible metal member which is rigidly attached to said trigger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The knife set forth in claim 12 including spaced and substantially parallel probes extending from said one end of said knife and formed integrally with said shank from said malleable material, said probes being located at each end of said blade so as to shield the latter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |