Importance

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Abstract

There is disclosed apparatus for implementing a standardized skin incision which apparatus includes a housing having a base containing an elongated slot. The base is adapted to be held flush against a patient's skin prior to making an incision. The housing has an internal hollow which contains a movable pivot arm having a first pivotal end and a second end having a cam follower. Located within the housing is a cam surface upon which the cam follower of the pivot arm rides. The pivot end of the arm contains a cutting edge and is coupled to the housing such that it is enabled to move transversely while pivoting. The cam which has a given surface configuration controls the path of the pivot arm and therefore controls the path of the cutting edge as it enters the slot when triggered. The device produces a standard incision of a given length and a given depth as controlled by the reciprocating pivot arm and the cam surface. The device is completely disposable and further possesses the advantage that the cutting edge is always located within the housing except when the unit is triggered where the edge transverses and projects through the slot in the housing for an extremely short period of time. The unit can be fabricated from molded plastic and simple metal parts and is ordinarily sterilized prior to use. Its economy of materials and assembly permit marketing as a completely disposable device.

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First Claim