Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A transcutaneous shield device for insertion into a skin aperture, comprising a transcutaneous distal portion providing an instrument access port which allows insertion of an instrument, the distal portion being connected to an external proximal portion of shallow dish-shaped form of substantially greater dimension than said access port, said dimension being sized to prevent intrusion of the proximal portion into said skin aperture such that said proximal portion provides a shield between an instrument and a skin, the proximal portion tapering inwardly to said distal portion to readily guide a distal tip of the instrument to said access port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A transcutaneous shield device for insertion into a skin aperture, comprising a transcutaneous distal portion providing an instrument access port which allows insertion of an instrument, the distal portion being connected to an external proximal portion of shallow dish-shaped form of substantially greater dimension than said access port, said dimension being sized to prevent intrusion of the proximal portion into said skin aperture such that said proximal portion provides a shield between an instrument and a skin, the proximal portion tapering inwardly to said distal portion to readily guide a distal tip of the instrument to said access port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the proximal portion is provided with an outer upstanding rim to retain fluids which may pass from the access port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 2, the proximal portion incorporating an outlet connectable to a drainage channel through which such fluids may be drained away.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein at least the distal portion is of outwardly expandable form to serve as a retractor when applied to a skin incision.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein at least the distal portion is formed of a resilient material such that the distal portion is resiliently deformable from a first, relatively open, configuration to a second, relatively closed, configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the proximal portion has a funnel-shaped form with a radial cut defined by cut ends in the funnel-shaped form, the cut ends overlapping to provide a continuous shield in both the first relatively open and second relatively closed configurations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein the distal portion comprises at least two circumferentially spaced retractor lugs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1 being fabricated, at least in part, from transparent plastics material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vascular catheterisation kit comprising an insertion cannula such as a needle, a guidewire for intravascular application, an intravascular catheter, and a transcutaneous shield device according to claim 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
A surgical technique for transcutaneous procedures, comprising the steps of: providing an aperture in a patient's skin; introducing into the aperture a transcutaneous shield device providing an instrument access port, said transcutaneous shield device having an external portion of such dimension to prevent intrusion of the external portion into said skin aperture; introducing operative parts of instrumentation through said access port, the shield device acting to prevent contact between the operative parts of the instrumentation and the skin as the instrumentation passes transcutaneously.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A surgical technique for transcutaneous procedures, comprising the steps of: providing an aperture in a patient's skin; introducing into the aperture a transcutaneous shield device providing an instrument access port, said transcutaneous shield device having an external portion of such dimension to prevent intrusion of the external portion into said skin aperture; introducing operative parts of instrumentation through said access port, the shield device acting to prevent contact between the operative parts of the instrumentation and the skin as the instrumentation passes transcutaneously.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A technique according to claim 10, whereby the shield device is carried by, or integral with, an introducer, such as a needle, to simplify the introduction of said shield device.