Adjustable Curette

Abstract

An adjustable, disposable dermal curette is structured to allow a user-practitioner to ergonomically grip a handle and manipulate an adjustable slider with a digit of their hand in order to change the diameter size of the flexible blade formed in an adjustable loop to the useful range of diameter sizes required. The user-practitioner can lock and unlock the slider in place quickly without the need to interrupt their procedure. The adjustable curette solves the problem of requiring multiple curette loop sizes for a procedure and results in improved quality of care and a savings of time and healthcare dollars.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of using an adjustable curette comprising the steps of:
 gripping a handle of the adjustable curette with a first hand;   positioning a digit of the first hand upon a slider;   adjusting a loop area of a blade via the slider by means of the digit; and   actuating the slider into a locked-position to fix the blade loop area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the optional steps of:
 actuating the slider from the locked-position to an unlocked-position. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of adjusting comprises moving the slider to cause one blade end coupled to the slider to move relative to another blade end. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of adjusting comprises moving the slider to cause both blade ends coupled to the slider to move relative to curette distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The method  claim 1  further comprising the step of debriding human tissue after said step of gripping. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of further debriding after said step of adjusting. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of adjusting comprises rolling a wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 unlocking the slider; 
 further adjusting the adjusting a loop area of a blade. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said steps of unlocking and further adjusting are completed with the first hand. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of debriding human tissue after said step of further adjusting while maintaining gripping of the curette solely with the first hand. 
     
     
         11 . A method of using an adjustable curette comprising the steps of:
 gripping a handle of the adjustable curette with a first hand;   positioning a digit and thumb of the first hand upon a sleeve;   adjusting a loop area of a blade via the sleeve by moving the sleeve relative a curette proximal end.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said step of adjusting comprises moving the sleeve relative to both ends of the blade, wherein both ends of the blade are fixed relative to the curette proximal end. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said step of adjusting comprises moving the slider to cause both blade ends coupled to the slider to move relative to curette distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The method  claim 1  further comprising the step of debriding human tissue after said step of gripping. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of further debriding after said step of adjusting. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of:
 unlocking the slider; 
 further adjusting the adjusting a loop area of a blade. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said steps of unlocking and further adjusting are completed with the first hand. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of debriding human tissue alter said step of further adjusting while maintaining gripping of the curette solely with the first hand.