US5387197A — Trocar safety shield locking mechanism

Claim 1

Independent Claim 178 words

A trocar obturator assembly, comprising: a hollow obturator handle; an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the obturator shaft slidably mounted in the handle; a piercing tip mounted to the distal end of the obturator shaft; a safety shield slidably mounted on the obturator shaft, said safety shield concentrically disposed about the obturator shaft, and moveable to an extended position and a retracted position, said safety shield comprising an elongated tube member having a proximal end and distal end and said safety shield further comprising a flange mounted to the proximal end; biasing means mounted in the handle and acting upon the flange of the safety shield for moving the safety shield to an extended position; locking means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for actuating the locking means in response to axial, proximal motion of the obturator shaft.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 178 words

A trocar obturator assembly, comprising: a hollow obturator handle; an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the obturator shaft slidably mounted in the handle; a piercing tip mounted to the distal end of the obturator shaft; a safety shield slidably mounted on the obturator shaft, said safety shield concentrically disposed about the obturator shaft, and moveable to an extended position and a retracted position, said safety shield comprising an elongated tube member having a proximal end and distal end and said safety shield further comprising a flange mounted to the proximal end; biasing means mounted in the handle and acting upon the flange of the safety shield for moving the safety shield to an extended position; locking means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for actuating the locking means in response to axial, proximal motion of the obturator shaft.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The trocar obturator of claim 1 further comprising means for resetting the locking means so that the safety shield is free to slide proximally, said resetting means mounted in the trocar obturator handle.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 62 words

The trocar obturator of claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a lockout arm having a proximal fixed end mounted in the handle and a distal free end for engaging the safety shield flange such that in a locked position, the distal free end of the lockout arm engages the safety shield flange thereby locking the safety in a distal, extended position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 63 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises a lockout arm having a proximal fixed end mounted in the handle and a distal free end for engaging the safety shield flange such that in a locked position, the distal free end of the lockout arm engages the safety shield flange thereby locking the safety in a distal, extended position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 4 wherein the resetting means comprises a button means slidably mounted in the obturator handle, said button means engaging the lockout arm such that the lockout arm rotates about its fixed end in response to sliding motion of the button means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 11 words

The lockout arm of claim 3 further comprising a hole therethrough.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 67 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuating means comprises collar means mounted to the proximal end of the obturator shaft and contained within the obturator handle and moveable with the obturator shaft such that proximal movement of the obturator shaft results in proximal movement of the collar means, thereby causing engagement of the locking means to lock the safety shield in an extended position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 39 words

The collar means of claim 7 comprising: an annular member having an axial hole therethrough and having an outer circumferential periphery; a mounting member radially extending from the periphery; and, a collar arm extending axially from the mounting member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 75 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal biasing means for the safety shield comprises a spring having a proximal end and a distal end, said spring concentrically mounted in the obturator handle about the proximal end of the obturator shaft such that the proximal end of the spring contacts a retaining ring means mounted to the shaft and the distal end of the spring is in contact with the safety shield flange.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 1 further comprising biasing means mounted in the obturator handle for biasing the obturator shaft distally, axially.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

The collar means of claim 8 further comprising a second radially extending mounting member and a second axially extending collar arm.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 199 words

A trocar, comprising: A. a trocar obturator assembly, comprising a hollow obturator handle; an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the obturator shaft slidably mounted in the handle; a piercing tip mounted to the distal end of the obturator shaft; a safety shield slidably mounted on the obturator shaft, said safety shield concentrically disposed about the obturator shaft, and moveable to an extended position and a retracted position, said safety shield comprising an elongated tube member having a proximal end and distal end and said safety shield further comprising a flange mounted to the proximal end; biasing means mounted in the handle and acting upon the flange of the safety shield for moving the safety shield to an extended position; locking means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for actuating the locking means in response to axial, proximal motion of the obturator shaft, and a trocar cannula having an interior passage therethrough for receiving the trocar obturator assembly, said cannula comprising an elongated trocar cannula tube and a trocar cannula handle for mounting said cannula tube.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 199 words

A trocar, comprising: A. a trocar obturator assembly, comprising a hollow obturator handle; an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the obturator shaft slidably mounted in the handle; a piercing tip mounted to the distal end of the obturator shaft; a safety shield slidably mounted on the obturator shaft, said safety shield concentrically disposed about the obturator shaft, and moveable to an extended position and a retracted position, said safety shield comprising an elongated tube member having a proximal end and distal end and said safety shield further comprising a flange mounted to the proximal end; biasing means mounted in the handle and acting upon the flange of the safety shield for moving the safety shield to an extended position; locking means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for actuating the locking means in response to axial, proximal motion of the obturator shaft, and a trocar cannula having an interior passage therethrough for receiving the trocar obturator assembly, said cannula comprising an elongated trocar cannula tube and a trocar cannula handle for mounting said cannula tube.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 33 words

The trocar obturator of claim 12 further comprising means for resetting the locking means so that the safety shield is free to slide proximally, said resetting means mounted in the trocar obturator handle.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 65 words

The trocar obturator of claim 12 wherein the locking means comprises a lockout arm having a proximal fixed end mounted in the handle and a distal free end for engaging the safety shield flange such that in a locked position the distal free end of the lockout arm engages the safety shield flange such that the safety shield is locked in a distal, extended position.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

The trocar obturator of claim 13 wherein the locking means comprises a lockout arm having a proximal fixed end mounted in the handle and a distal free end for engaging the safety shield flange such that in a locked position, the distal free end of the lockout arm engages the safety shield flange thereby locking the safety shield in a distal, extended position.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 46 words

The trocar obturator of claim 15 wherein the resetting means comprises a button means slidably mounted in the obturator handle, said button means engaging the lockout arm such that the lockout arm rotates about its fixed end in response to sliding motion of the button means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 11 words

The lockout arm of claim 14 further comprising a hole therethrough.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 73 words

The trocar of claim 12 wherein the actuating means comprises collar means mounted to the proximal end of the obturator shaft and contained within the obturator handle and moveable with the obturator shaft such that proximal movement of the obturator shaft results in proximal movement of the collar means, thereby causing engagement of the locking means to lock the safety shield in the extended position when pressure is released from the safety shield.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 39 words

The collar means of claim 18 comprising: an annular member having an axial hole therethrough and having an outer circumferential periphery; a mounting member radially extending from the periphery; and, a collar arm extending axially from the mounting member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 76 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 12 wherein the distal biasing means for the safety shield comprises a compression spring having a proximal end and a distal end, said spring concentrically mounted in the obturator handle about the proximal end of the obturator shaft such that the proximal end of the spring contacts a retaining ring means mounted to the shaft and the distal end of the spring is in contact with the safety shield flange.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claim 12 further comprising biasing means mounted in the obturator handle for biasing the obturator shaft distally, axially.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The collar means of claim 19 further comprising a second radially extending mounting member and a second axially extending collar arm.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 26 words

The trocar obturator assembly of claims 1 or 12 further comprising means for actuating the locking means in response to proximal motion of the safety shield.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 257 words

A method of performing an endoscopic surgical procedure, comprising I. inserting a trocar into a body cavity, wherein the trocar comprises A. a trocar obturator assembly, comprising a hollow obturator handle; an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the obturator shaft slidably mounted in the handle; a piercing tip mounted to the distal end of the obturator shaft; a safety shield slidably mounted on the obturator shaft, said safety shield concentrically disposed about the obturator shaft, and moveable to an extended position and a retracted position, said safety shield comprising an elongated tube member having a proximal end and a distal end and said safety shield further comprising a flange mounted to the proximal end; biasing means mounted in the handle and acting upon the flange of the safety shield for moving the safety shield to an extended position; biasing means mounted in the handle for biasing the obturator in a distal direction; locking means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for actuating the locking means in response to axial, proximal motion of the obturator shaft, and B. a trocar cannula having an interior passage therethrough for receiving the trocar obturator assembly, said cannula comprising an elongated trocar cannula tube and a trocar cannula handle for mounting said cannula tube; II. removing the trocar obturator assembly from the trocar cannula; and, III. using the cannula as a pathway to and from the body cavity.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 257 words

A method of performing an endoscopic surgical procedure, comprising I. inserting a trocar into a body cavity, wherein the trocar comprises A. a trocar obturator assembly, comprising a hollow obturator handle; an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the obturator shaft slidably mounted in the handle; a piercing tip mounted to the distal end of the obturator shaft; a safety shield slidably mounted on the obturator shaft, said safety shield concentrically disposed about the obturator shaft, and moveable to an extended position and a retracted position, said safety shield comprising an elongated tube member having a proximal end and a distal end and said safety shield further comprising a flange mounted to the proximal end; biasing means mounted in the handle and acting upon the flange of the safety shield for moving the safety shield to an extended position; biasing means mounted in the handle for biasing the obturator in a distal direction; locking means mounted in the handle for locking the safety shield in an extended position; and, actuating means mounted in the handle for actuating the locking means in response to axial, proximal motion of the obturator shaft, and B. a trocar cannula having an interior passage therethrough for receiving the trocar obturator assembly, said cannula comprising an elongated trocar cannula tube and a trocar cannula handle for mounting said cannula tube; II. removing the trocar obturator assembly from the trocar cannula; and, III. using the cannula as a pathway to and from the body cavity.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-02-06	1998-08-08	1999-02-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-02-06	2002-08-08	2003-02-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-02-06	2006-08-08	2007-02-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Trocar safety shield locking mechanism

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