US5569292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical penetration instrument with transparent blades and tip cover
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-01
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2015-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A surgical penetration instrument has an elongated shaft and a penetrating tip extending from the distal end of the shaft. A blade extends outwardly from the penetrating tip. The blade is transparent. When the penetrating tip is transparent, the tip not only facilitates penetration through bodily tissue but also acts as an imaging element in conjunction with an endoscope extending through the shaft of the instrument to simultaneously visualize the surgical field during penetration. Significantly, unlike a conventional metallic blade, the transparent blade will not obstruct the field of view as the instrument is advanced. When the penetrating tip is plastic, and the blade is composed of a transparent plastic, the blade can be joined to the tip using conventional plastic processing methods such as injection molding, thus reducing manufacturing costs incurred if a metallic blade were used. Also disclosed is a surgical penetration instrument with a plastic penetrating tip and a protective cap fitting over and enclosing a portion of the tip to prevent or lessen the possibility of breaking, cracking or otherwise damaging the tip.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Scwemberger
- 👤 Salvatore Privitera
- 👤 Robert Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B2017/3454; A61B2017/3456; A61B2017/346; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/038; A61B90/36; A61B90/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A surgical penetration instrument for penetrating bodily tissue during a surgical procedure; said instrument comprising an elongated shaft having a distal end; a penetrating tip in communication with said shaft distal end and extending distally therefrom, said penetrating tip having a surface configuration shaped to enlarge an opening in said bodily tissue as said instrument is advanced distally into said tissue; and a first transparent blade extending outwardly from said penetrating tip, wherein said penetrating tip and said first transparent blade are integrally formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A surgical penetration instrument for penetrating bodily tissue during a surgical procedure; said instrument comprising an elongated shaft having a distal end; a penetrating tip in communication with said shaft distal end and extending distally therefrom, said penetrating tip having a surface configuration shaped to enlarge an opening in said bodily tissue as said instrument is advanced distally into said tissue; and a first transparent blade extending outwardly from said penetrating tip, wherein said penetrating tip and said first transparent blade are integrally formed from a single piece of material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said shaft is generally cylindrical and has a shaft diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said penetrating tip has a circular base and a base diameter, said circular base being adjacent said shaft distal end and having a base diameter substantially the same as said shaft diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein said blade is composed of a transparent plastic or a glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein said blade is composed of a transparent plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 5 wherein said penetrating tip is composed of said plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said plastic exhibits a light transmission greater than about seventy five percent, and a haze factor less than about five percent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 7 wherein said plastic is a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer or ionomer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein said said plastic is a copolyester.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said penetrating tip is transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein said transparent portion of said penetrating tip extends through substantially 360°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 11 wherein said instrument further comprises a second transparent blade extending outwardly from said penetrating tip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein said penetrating tip is entirely transparent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 13 wherein said penetrating tip extends distally from said circular base to a point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 14 wherein said penetrating tip is generally conical.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 15 wherein said first and second blades have straight linear edge surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 16 wherein said first and second blades extend longitudinally from adjacent said circular base toward said point of said penetrating tip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 17 wherein said first and second blades are spaced about 180° from each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
141 words
A surgical penetration instrument for penetrating bodily tissue during a surgical procedure; said instrument comprising a generally cylindrical, elongated shaft having a distal end and a shaft diameter; a plastic penetrating tip connected to said shaft distal end, said tip having a generally circular base adjacent said shaft distal end, said base having a base diameter substantially the same as said shaft diameter, said tip extending distally from said base and having an exterior surface configuration shaped to enlarge an opening in said bodily tissue as said instrument is advanced distally into said tissue; a protective cap sized to fit over and enclose at least a portion of said tip; cap receiving means on said exterior surface of said tip for securely receiving said cap; and cap attaching means on said cap for attaching said cap onto said cap receiving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
141 words
A surgical penetration instrument for penetrating bodily tissue during a surgical procedure; said instrument comprising a generally cylindrical, elongated shaft having a distal end and a shaft diameter; a plastic penetrating tip connected to said shaft distal end, said tip having a generally circular base adjacent said shaft distal end, said base having a base diameter substantially the same as said shaft diameter, said tip extending distally from said base and having an exterior surface configuration shaped to enlarge an opening in said bodily tissue as said instrument is advanced distally into said tissue; a protective cap sized to fit over and enclose at least a portion of said tip; cap receiving means on said exterior surface of said tip for securely receiving said cap; and cap attaching means on said cap for attaching said cap onto said cap receiving means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein said cap has a generally cylindrical sleeve portion having a sleeve diameter, said sleeve diameter being substantially the same as said base diameter of said tip.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 20 wherein said instrument further comprises a blade extending radially outwardly from said tip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 21 wherein said protective cap has a sleeve diameter sized to fit over and enclose a portion of said blade.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The instrument of claim 22 wherein said cap receiving means are first and second notches displayed on said exterior surface of said tip adjacent said circular base, said notches spaced about 180° from each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The instrument of claim 23 wherein said cap attaching means are first and second tabs displayed on said sleeve, said first and second tabs engagable with said first and second notches.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |