Solving the Mystery of the Scalpel Blades: What Do the Numbers Mean?

The “Hands Together” method of nonsterile scalpel blade mounting and removal

“…Frequently used scalpel designs include disposable models that are designed for single use, and those that are composed of a handle and disposable blades (Fuentes et al, ; Sinnott and Shaban, ). Morgan Parker, a British engineer, patented the system of a removable scalpel blade in 1915, with the modern fenestrated (blade with a hole) design of blade and handle developed and marketed by the Bard‐Parker Company Inc., founded that same year in New York by Parker and American businessman Charles Russell Bard (Arrow, ; Kirkup, ). This design uses disposable blades that require the user to be able to safely mount and remove them, and is still used extensively today.…”

“…This design uses disposable blades that require the user to be able to safely mount and remove them, and is still used extensively today. Prior to the invention of disposable scalpel blades, it was apparently not uncommon to see surgeons operating using razor blades, such was the poor reliability of one‐piece scalpels that needed to be sharpened after each use (Arrow, ). The different varieties of handles and blades were produced to meet the needs of surgeons, with many of the original handles designed by Parker no longer commonly used (Kirkup, ).…”