Dermatome blade assembly

Abstract

A dermatome has a main body with a first profile and at least one blade assembly with a blade, a size, an orientation corresponding to the main body, and a second profile. The second profile has characteristics corresponding to the first profile to properly orient and locate the at least one blade for proper mounting of the blade to the main body. The profiles are shaped to provide clearance for the second profile to reciprocate relative to the first profile.

1 . A dermatome comprising:
 a main body having a head connected to a handle, the head having a lower surface and first and second recessed portions extending inward from a periphery of the head and opening out to the lower surface; and   a blade assembly having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   wherein the blade assembly is positionable onto the head of the main body with the first side facing the lower surface of the head such that the blade assembly extends across the first and second recessed portions of the head.   
     
     
         2 . The dermatome of  claim 1 , wherein the blade assembly includes first and second portions exposed by the first and second recessed portions while the blade assembly is attached to the head. 
     
     
         3 . The dermatome of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second recessed portions are located on opposite ends of the head. 
     
     
         4 . The dermatome of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second recessed portions are defined by concave surfaces recessed from the lower surface of the head. 
     
     
         5 . The dermatome of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second recessed portions open out to a peripheral side surface of the head. 
     
     
         6 . The dermatome of  claim 1 , wherein the blade assembly includes a blade mounted to a blade carrier, wherein the blade carrier extends across the first and second recessed portions of the head. 
     
     
         7 . The dermatome of  claim 6 , wherein the blade carrier includes a first corner and a second corner opposite the first corner, the first corner positioned over the first recessed portion and the second corner positioned over the second recessed portion. 
     
     
         8 . The dermatome of  claim 7 , wherein the blade carrier includes a profile edge extending between the first corner and the second corner, and the profile edge of the blade carrier including at least one concave contour and at least one convex contour spaced from the concave contour by a planar portion. 
     
     
         9 . The dermatome of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom member securable to the head such that the blade assembly is positioned between the lower surface of the head and the bottom member. 
     
     
         10 . A dermatome comprising:
 a main body including a head and a handle extending from the head, the head including a main head portion defining a lower surface and a dropped surface stepped down from the lower surface; and   a blade assembly including a cutting edge and having an upper surface positionable in facing relationship with the lower surface of the main head portion while permitting reciprocating motion therebetween;   wherein first and second portions of the upper surface of the blade assembly opposite the cutting edge are exposed while the blade assembly is attached to the head of the main body.   
     
     
         11 . The dermatome of  claim 10 , wherein the blade assembly has a perimeter edge extending around the blade assembly and the lower surface of the main head portion has a perimeter edge extending around the lower surface, wherein at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the blade assembly extends beyond the perimeter edge of the lower surface of the main head portion. 
     
     
         12 . The dermatome of  claim 10 , wherein the main head portion includes first and second recessed portions extending inward from a periphery of the main head portion and opening out to the lower surface. 
     
     
         13 . The dermatome of  claim 12 , wherein the blade assembly is assembled onto the main head portion with the blade assembly extending across the first and second recessed portions of the main head portion. 
     
     
         14 . The dermatome of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second portions of the upper surface of the blade assembly are exposed by the first and second recessed portions of the main head portion. 
     
     
         15 . The dermatome of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second recessed portions are defined by concave surfaces recessed from the lower surface of the main head portion. 
     
     
         16 . The dermatome of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the upper surface of the blade assembly is a first rear corner of the blade assembly and the second portion of the upper surface of the blade assembly is a second rear corner of the blade assembly.