# US 10,117,675 B2 · Trocar tip protector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,675 B2 - Document ID: US10117675B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/810,979 - Filed: 2015-07-28 - Published: 2017-02-02 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-28 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Ramiro Cabrera; Stephen Paul; David Valentine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117675B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/3496: {Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips (for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61L 2/00: Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2090/0801: {Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking} - A61B 2090/0813: {Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract A surgical system including a surgical instrument and a protection device is included. The surgical system includes a surgical instrument having an extension assembly releasably coupled thereto. The extension assembly includes a trocar member disposed within a distal end of the extension assembly and the trocar member includes an engagement feature defined in an outer surface thereof. The protection device is releasably coupled to the engagement feature of the trocar member, thereby providing a barrier adjacent a tip of the trocar member. A method of sterilizing a surgical instrument is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical system, comprising: a surgical instrument including an extension assembly releasably coupled thereto, the extension assembly including a trocar member disposed within a distal end of the extension assembly and extending therefrom, the trocar member terminating at a tissue piercing tip, the trocar member including an annular groove defined in an outer surface thereof; and a protection device defining a cavity therein configured to receive a portion of the trocar member therein such that the tissue piercing tip of the trocar member is enveloped by the protection device, wherein the protection device is releasably coupled to the annular groove of the trocar member thereby providing a barrier adjacent the tissue piercing tip of the trocar member, wherein the protection device further includes a plurality of legs disposed on a first end portion thereof, the plurality of legs extending axially therefrom, wherein a second end portion of the protection device defines a planar configuration, the second end portion of the protection device including a rectangular base having an outer perimeter greater than an outer diameter of a housing of the surgical instrument. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of legs terminate in a barb defined on an inner surface thereof, the barb configured to releasably engage the annular groove of the trocar member of the surgical instrument. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the annular groove of the trocar member is a lip defined in the outer surface thereof, the lip configured to engage a complimentary engagement feature disposed on the protection device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein a second end portion of the protection device includes a conical configuration defining a blunt tip, thereby inhibiting a clinician from contacting the tip of the trocar member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein an annular groove is defined in an outer surface of the protection device, the annular groove configured to allow grasping of the protection device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the protection device is formed from a material suitable for use in a sterilization process. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein a second end portion of the protection device includes a flange disposed thereon configured for grasping. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the protection device includes a flange having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of a housing surrounding the trocar member. ### Claim 9 A method of sterilizing a surgical device, comprising: providing a surgical instrument, including an extension assembly releasably coupled to the surgical instrument including a trocar member disposed within a distal end portion thereof and extending therefrom, the trocar member terminating at a tissue piercing tip, wherein at least a portion of the trocar member protrudes from the distal end portion of the extension assembly, the trocar member including an annular groove defined within an outer surface thereof; providing a protection device defining a cavity therein configured to receive a portion of the trocar member therein such that the tissue piercing tip of the trocar member is enveloped by the protection device, wherein the protection device is configured to be releasably coupled to the annular groove of the trocar member, wherein the protection device further includes a plurality of legs disposed on a first end portion thereof, the plurality of legs extending axially therefrom, wherein a second end portion of the protection device defines a planar configuration, the second end portion of the protection device including a rectangular base having an outer perimeter greater than an outer diameter of a housing of the surgical instrument; advancing the protection device over the trocar member and partially within a cavity defined within the distal end portion of the extension assembly until the protection device releasably engages the annular groove of the trocar member, thereby providing a barrier adjacent the tissue piercing tip of the trocar member; removing the extension assembly, with the protection device releasably attached thereto, from the surgical instrument; and placing the extension assembly, with the protection device releasably attached thereto, into a sterilization chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein providing a protection device includes the plurality of legs terminating in a barb defined on an inner surface thereof, wherein each barb of the plurality of legs engages the annular groove of the trocar member, thereby releasably coupling the protection device to the trocar member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein providing a protection device includes the protection device having an annular groove defined in an outer surface of thereof, the annular groove configured to allow grasping of the elongate body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein providing a protection device includes the protection device is constructed of a material suitable for use in a sterilization process. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein providing a protection device includes a second end portion of the protection device including a flange disposed thereon configured for grasping. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein providing a surgical instrument further includes an adapter assembly configured to be selectively secured to the surgical instrument on a first end and selectively secured to the extension assembly on a second end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein placing the extension assembly, with the protection device releasably attached thereto, into a sterilization chamber includes placing the adapter assembly and the extension assembly, including the protection device releasably attached thereto, into a sterilization chamber.