Sharps blade applicator and storage device

Abstract

A device for the application and storage of a sharps device is disclosed here in with the ability to re-sterilize and reuse this device on multiple occasions. This device enables the user to access and store the blade in a safe manner where the chances of accidental puncture are greatly reduced. The device enables the user to store the sharps blade in the device in such a manner that will allow the user to autoclave or sterilize the storage device and the blade at the same time. The device is designed for multiple uses over a wide range of different blades, such as the myriad of surgical blades and blades used in the hobby and crafts arena using X-Acto knife style of blades. When a singular device is used for the storage, application and re-loading of sharps, the user is more familiar with the operation of the device, which leads to more comfort of the user in dealing with sharps blades. Also since the operating room has minimal space to store the necessary tools and devices, when a single device can have multiple uses it is advantageous and space saving.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A universal sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade which secures said blade in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle, said sharps blade having a spine portion, a sharp edge portion, a distal sharp point conjoining said spine portion to said edge portion and a proximal tang portion comprising;
 an anterior portion being contoured to accept the finger and thumb of a user, where said contoured anterior portion contains gripping means, and where said anterior portion having at least one resistive button, and   an upper rail and a lower rail defining the vertical extremes of said device, and   an interior portion having at least one series of sharps blade securement means located for contact with only said spine of said blade and said tang of said blade, and where the anterior portion of said device provides a void space of no less than 0.035 inch between said sharp edge and said interior portion so as to prevent any contact between said interior portion of said device and said sharp edge portion of said sharp during storage or removal of said sharp from said device, where said removal of said sharps blade is accomplished by withdrawing said blade along an angular displacement path, and   a posterior portion adapted for the insertion of said blade thereinto said interior portion of said sharp and where said posterior portion allows for the exposure of said tang of said sharp, and   an exterior portion containing said gripping means and at least one continuous viewing portal extending through the entire device on an axis perpendicular to said blades axis, said portal exposing said sharp edge of said blade to ensure that there is an absence of contact and so as to easily identify the type of blade being secured therein.   
     
     
         2 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 1  where said anterior portion is a flat surface to facilitate the vertical placement of said device upon a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         3 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 1  where said anterior portion has a curved surface. 
     
     
         4 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 1  where said gripping means is selected from the group consisting of ribs, cross-hatching, knurling and textured surface. 
     
     
         5 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 5  where device is capable of being sterilized through an autoclave, gamma radiation or ethylene oxide sterilization process while said blade is inserted into said device. 
     
     
         6 . A universal sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade which secures said blade in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle, said sharps blade having a spine portion, a sharp edge portion, a distal sharp point conjoining said spine portion to said edge portion and a proximal tang portion comprising;
 an anterior portion being contoured to accept the finger and thumb of a user and where said anterior portion contains gripping means and where said anterior portion having at least one resistive buttons, and   an upper rail and a lower rail defining the vertical extremes of said device, and   an interior portion having a series of upper sharps blade securement means located for contact with only said spine of said blade, and a series of lower sharps blade securement means located approximately equidistant between said spine of said blade and said sharp edge, and where the anterior portion of said device provides sufficient void space so as to prevent any contact between said anterior portion of said device and said sharp edge portion of said sharp, and   a posterior portion adapted for the insertion of said blade thereinto said interior portion, and   an exterior portion containing said gripping means and at least one continuous viewing portal extending through the entire device on an axis perpendicular to said blades axis, said portal exposing said sharp edge of said blade to ensure that there is an absence of contact and so as to easily identify the type of blade being secured therein.   
     
     
         7 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 6  where said anterior portion is a flat surface to facilitate the vertical placement of said device upon a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         8 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 6  where said anterior portion has a curved surface. 
     
     
         9 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 6  where said gripping means is selected from the group consisting of ribs, cross-hatching, knurling and textured surface. 
     
     
         10 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 6  where said tang portion of said blade is exposed on all sides of said blade and the entire tang is directly accessible to sharps handle. 
     
     
         11 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 10  where device is capable of being sterilized through an autoclave, gamma radiation or ethylene oxide sterilization process while said blade is inserted into said device. 
     
     
         12 . A universal sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade which secures said blade in an orientation to allow for attachment to a mounting handle, said sharps blade having a spine portion, a sharp edge portion, a distal sharp point conjoining said spine portion to said edge portion and a proximal tang portion comprising;
 an anterior portion being contoured to accept the finger and thumb of a user and where said anterior portion contains gripping means and where said anterior portion having at least one resistive buttons, and   an upper rail and a lower rail defining the vertical extremes of said device, and   an interior portion having at least one series of sharps blade securement means located for contact with only said spine of said blade and said tang of said blade, and where the anterior portion of said device provides a void space of no less than 0.035 inch between said sharp edge and said interior portion so as to prevent any contact between said interior portion of said device and said sharp edge portion of said sharp during storage or removal of said sharp from said device, where said removal of said sharps blade is accomplished by withdrawing said blade along an angular displacement path, and   a posterior portion adapted for the insertion of said blade thereinto said interior portion, and   an exterior portion containing said gripping means and at least one continuous viewing portal extending through the entire device on an axis perpendicular to said blades axis, said portal exposing said sharp edge of said blade to ensure that there is an absence of contact and so as to easily identify the type of blade being secured therein.   
     
     
         13 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 12  where said device is designed to allow the user to separate the right side portion of said device from the left side portion of said device along its longitudinal plane bisecting perpendicularly through said upper rail and said lower rail, whereby one of said portions can be detached from contact with other said portion and subsequently replaced with securing means, thereby allowing the user to place a new sharp blade into said interior of said device while said portions are removed. 
     
     
         14 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 13  where said left side and said right side of said device are attached by a living hinge. 
     
     
         15 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 12  where said anterior portion is a flat surface to facilitate the vertical placement of said device upon a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         16 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 12  where said anterior portion has a contoured surface. 
     
     
         17 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 12  where said gripping means is selected from the group consisting of ribs, cross-hatching, knurling and textured surface. 
     
     
         18 . A sharps blade application and storage device for a single sharps blade as in  claim 12  where device is capable of being sterilized through an autoclave, gamma radiation or ethylene oxide sterilization process while said blade is inserted into said device.