US-12622707-B1 - Surgical splash guard and methods of use

US12622707B1US 12622707 B1US12622707 B1US 12622707B1US-12622707-B1

Abstract

A splash guard for use with a surgical tool includes a shield and a coupling mechanism configured to removably couple the shield to the surgical tool body. The coupling mechanism cooperates with the shield such that during operation of the saw, the shield is not centered within a plane defined by the reciprocating motion of the saw blade. The shield can be formed from a clean shrink wrap supported by a frame. The coupling mechanism can include a rotatable clip coupling with detents for predefined positions. The splash guard can be configured to fit straight or angled surgical saws and is sterilized and disposable.

Inventors

Duke Hasson

Assignees

DWCH Holdings, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20250714

Claims (9)

1 . A cutting tool comprising: a splash guard, a body, and a saw blade, the splash guard comprising: a shield; a coupling mechanism configured to position the shield on the body and off-center from a plane defined by a reciprocating motion of the saw blade, wherein during operation of the saw blade, the shield is situated completely outside the plane defined by the reciprocating motion of the saw blade; and a pivot positioned between the shield and the coupling mechanism, the pivot aligned parallel to a direction of the saw blade.
2 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the saw blade is a reciprocating saw blade.
3 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the coupling mechanism is a clip coupling.
4 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , further comprising a frame disposed about a perimeter of the shield.
5 . The cutting tool of claim 4 , wherein the frame is distanced from a closest portion of the saw blade by 6 to 12 cm, inclusive.
6 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the splash guard is packaged in a sterile container comprising a pouch.
7 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the cutting tool is a straight surgical saw.
8 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the cutting tool is an angled surgical saw.
9 . The cutting tool of claim 1 , wherein the shield is sterilized.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is surgical tools. BACKGROUND The following background discussion includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Surgical saws are commonly employed in orthopedic and surgical procedures to cut bones or tissue with precision and speed. However, the high-speed oscillation of the saw blade often results in the generation and dissemination of fluids, bone particles, and biological debris. This presents a contamination risk and a safety concern for surgical personnel. Existing rigid shields or custom blade guards may require complex installation, may not be adaptable across different saw geometries, or may lack features that maintain sterilization and case of disposal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,115 to Ahola et al. discloses a blade guard designed to shield an operator's tissue from being cut, while also assisting in bone separation during cutting. U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,332 to Wakim describes a transparent shield held above the surgical field to intercept airborne debris. Despite these various approaches to splash guards, there is still a need for a simplified splash guard system that provides a sterile barrier between the surgical site and the surrounding environment, reduces contamination, is adaptable to both straight and angled saw configurations, and capable of being positioned outside the plane of reciprocating blade motion to effectively block debris. All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein, and ranges include their endpoints. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as” provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. Unless a contrary meaning is explicitly stated, all ranges are inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges are to be interpreted as bounded on the open end by commercially feasible embodiments. Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a splash guard for use with surgical tools having a body and a saw blade. In preferred embodiments the splash guard comprises a shield, which is preferably injected molded using a suitable plastic such as Lexan™ polycarbonate. Other materials can be used, including for example a shrink wrap material. Shields can be sterilized and packaged in a sterile pouch for single use disposal to reduce contamination risk. A coupling mechanism is configured to removably couple the shield to the surgical tool body. Unlike prior art shields, the coupling mechanism cooperates with the shield such that during operation of the saw, the shield is not centered within the plane defined by the reciprocating motion of the saw blade. Contemplated coupling mechanisms include a clip coupling, and especially a rotatable clip coupl