# The Design of a Specific Medical Instrument Handle

> This is a design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and shape of a handle used for medical instruments.

- **Patent:** US RE48036
- **Original title:** USRE48036E1 - Handle
- **Owner:** Gauthier Biomedical Inc
- **Granted:** 2020
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 3
- **Field:** mechanical, consumer_electronics

## What it does

This patent protects the ornamental design of a handle. Unlike utility patents that protect how a device functions or moves, this design patent focuses entirely on the aesthetic shape and visual configuration of the object. It covers the specific contours, surface features, and overall silhouette of the handle as illustrated in the patent drawings. If a competitor creates a handle that looks substantially similar to the one shown in these drawings, they could be infringing on this design right.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover the internal mechanical function or the grip mechanism of the handle.
- Does not cover handles with a different visual shape or aesthetic configuration.
- Does not cover the materials used to manufacture the handle.
- Does not cover the method of attaching the handle to a surgical tool.

## The clever bit

The cleverness lies in securing legal protection for the specific visual 'language' of a tool, which is often what surgeons recognize and prefer in a high-stakes operating room environment.

## Real-world examples

1. Surgical instrument handles
2. Medical device grips
3. Handheld orthopedic tools

## Why it matters

Design patents are essential for companies like Gauthier Biomedical to protect their brand identity and the unique look of their surgical instruments. By preventing competitors from selling visually identical tools, the company maintains a distinct market presence in the medical device field.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does The Design of a Specific Medical Instrument Handle cover?

This is a design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and shape of a handle used for medical instruments.

### Who owns patent US RE48036?

Gauthier Biomedical Inc owns this patent, granted in 2020.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on June 9, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US RE48036 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

Design patents are essential for companies like Gauthier Biomedical to protect their brand identity and the unique look of their surgical instruments. By preventing competitors from selling visually identical tools, the company maintains a distinct market presence in the medical device field.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover the internal mechanical function or the grip mechanism of the handle.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE48036/supersonic-hair-dryer

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE48036

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._