Safety scalpel
Intro
Accidental cuts and punctures from scalpels causes transmitted disease and contamination.
Scalpel is one the most dangerous medical tool used by surgeons. As it has blades installed, replaced and cut through flesh, there will be great chances where blood contaminated with diseases may come in contact with the surgeons and everyone involved in the operation room. My idea is to redesign the scalpel to be safer overall even when it's not disposable, so that less accidents and hazards will occur during the surgery.
Why: People who had cuts or punctures ends up needing to do test for possible blood transmitted diseases and could create unwanted consequences.
How: Talk to nurses, healthcare workers from hospitals, private clinic and investigate key to solve the problem.
What: Redesigning safer scalpels, in terms of installing and changing blades.
Success: Decrease in chances of getting cuts and punctures.
Possible receivable diseases
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Scalpel blade changing test
Installing, replacing and removing the blade is a possible risk. Proved as I got a cut from it.
As much as I am targeting every surgeon and persons who works in the operation room. The person that is actually responsible for installing, changing blades and preparing the tools for the surgeons are the Surgical Technologist.
Possible solutions
One way to do this is to redesign the way the scalpel is handled the entire process. How it is installed, how it is replaced, how it is disposed are all things that must be considered. The less the user have to touch the blade the better and safer.
Retractable scalpel blades
Blade disposal
Flip cap safety syringe
Perhaps taking inspiration in things that already exist and other safety devices could spark new solutions that are safer and more efficient.