4,887,598 DATED DECEMBER 19, 1989

MANUAL ROTARY SCALPEL STRUCTURE

The purpose of the Rotary Scalpel Structure is to add velocity to a surgical incision to thereby improve cosmetic scarring and its avoidance and reduction of keloid formation in those patients who are highly prone to produce unsightly scars.

The rotary scalpel structure of the invention for practicing the method of the invention may be either a manual rotary scalpel or an automated, that is, power driven rotary scalpel.

The manual rotary scalpel may be straight or the rotary blade may be angularly off-set from the axis of the handle of the scalpel and the front end of the scalpel handle may be bifurcated so that the rotary scalpel blade may be rotatably mounted between the parts of the front end of the handle provided due to the bifurcation of the handle.

The power driven rotary scalpel includes a hollow cylindrical handle, a housing at one end of the handle for receiving an electric motor and electrical power for the rotary scalpel, a blade support arm at the other end of the handle on which a circular scalpel blade is mounted for rotation and means for driving the rotary scalpel blade through the support arm and handle from the motor including a gear box or boxes and support arm securing structure.

In accordance with the invention, the blade support arm is releasably secured to the handle by rotating pin structure, which pin structure may be bowed to reduce tolerance requirements.

The power driven rotary scalpel also includes a light for illuminating the area of the blade which is always on when power is applied to the power driven rotary scalpel to indicate a power on condition.

Remote switch structure is further provided for turning on the electric motor at the rear of the handle from the front of the handle.

The structure of the invention further includes a rotary scalpel blade having concave sides for reducing friction between the blade and tissue or other material being cut thereby and a hollow flat disc protector for rotary circular scalpel blades for user or maintenance protection including a living hinge and an axially split resilient cylinder closure therefore.

The method of the invention includes rotating a circular scalpel blade and drawing it across material in which an incision is desired. In the method of the invention, the rotary scalpel blade is rotated at a speed such that the circumferential speed of the rotary scalpel blade is between 4 and 7 centimeters per second which is the speed at which straight scalpels are moved in general practice.