The subject invention is a surgical scalpel, scalpel instrument and/or scalpel system (collectively, scalpel), particularly designed for use in a transverse carpal ligament surgical procedure, that evaluates an incision path with respect to a nerve in the incision path, and is used to perform the incision if appropriate. The scalpel emits an evaluation signal through a potential incision path through tissue captured by the scalpel. The scalpel utilizes the emitted evaluation signal to determine the presence of a nerve in the incision path. The dissection and evaluation (surgical) instrument includes a blade that is retractable relative to a target tissue capture area thereof. Evaluation may include determining the presence of a nerve before incision and/or the evaluating whether the target tissue has been appropriately captured. The surgical instrument may disable extension of the blade when the evaluation determines that a nerve is in the dissection path and/or when the captured target tissue is determined to be inappropriate.
