Skin staple extractor

Claim 1

A manually operable extractor for surgical staples, comprising a first handle element having a first rear portion provided with a finger-receiving ring end, and a first front portion having a bifurcated forward end, said bifurcated forward end comprising first and second extensions of said first portion in overlapping parallel relationship to each other and separated by a space therebetween, a bight section joining said first and second extensions along one side thereof and extending parallel to a longitudinal edge of said first handle portion whereby said first and second extensions and said bight section define a U-shaped channel, said first and second extensions terminating in a pair of elongated anvil sections in parallel spaced relationship, said anvil sections having rearward ends with notches, and steep upwardly and rearwardly sloping edges from said notches to said bight section thereby defining a slot between said anvil sections; a second handle element having a second rear portion also provided with a finger-receiving ring end, and a second front portion terminating in a blade section, said second front portion pivotally mounted within said U-shaped channel of said first front portion with said blade section located between and parallel to said anvil sections and movable through said slot, said anvil sections being spaced apart throughout their length by a distance greater than the thickness of said blade section; rivet means for pivotably connecting said second handle element to said first handle element within said bifurcated forward end; and said finger-receiving ring ends comprising the sole means for spreading said rear portions of said handle elements apart and for bringing said rear portions toward each other.