# US 10,368,906 B2 · Blunt tip obturator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,368,906 B2 - Document ID: US10368906B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/370,122 - Filed: 2016-12-06 - Published: 2017-06-15 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2002-05-16 - Assignees: Applied Medical Resources Corporation - Applicants: Applied Medical Resources Corporation - Inventors: Scott V. Taylor; Matthew A. Wixey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10368906B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/3417: {Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating (syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00)} - A61B 17/02: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors - A61B 17/3498: {Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves (haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24)} - A61M 13/003: {Blowing gases other than for carrying powders, e.g. for inflating, dilating or rinsing} - A61B 2017/320044: {Blunt dissectors} - A61B 2017/3456: {blunt} - A61B 2017/346: {with wings} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A surgical obturator comprising an elongate shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end includes a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The tip has a blunt point and a pair of shorter side surfaces separated by a relatively longer pair of opposing surfaces to form in radial cross-section a geometric shape that has a longer length and relatively narrower width. The side surfaces and opposing surfaces terminate in end surfaces located proximally from the blunt point. The end surfaces extend radially outwardly from opposite locations of the outer surface. A conical surface facilitates initial insertion of the obturator and the geometric shape facilitates separation of consecutive layers of muscle tissue having fibers oriented in different directions and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers of muscle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical obturator, comprising: an elongate shaft extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end; a tapered, bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft; the tip having two opposing surfaces separated by two side surfaces, two end surfaces, a conical surface formed in the two opposing surfaces and around the longitudinal axis and extending beyond the two end surfaces, and a blunt surface at the distal end; wherein the tip is symmetrical about a plane containing the longitudinal axis; wherein the two side surfaces form curved intersections with the two end surfaces; and wherein the width of the two side surfaces increases in the proximal direction from the curved intersections with the two end surfaces. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the two side surfaces are curved along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the two opposing surfaces are convex. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the two opposing surfaces are convex and concave. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the diameter of a cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conical surface increases in the proximal direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the two opposing surfaces become more arcuate in the proximal direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the width of the two side surfaces increases in the proximal direction and then decreases in the proximal direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the two side surfaces terminate in the end surfaces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the two end surfaces extend radially outwardly from opposite locations. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 further including a passageway and valve to administer insufflation gas. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 further including a cannula having a working channel; the elongate shaft being sized and configured for disposition within the working channel of the cannula. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the configuration of the tip converts radial movement of the obturator into forward movement of the obturator along the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the side surfaces curve laterally when viewed from a side elevation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the configuration of the tip reduces the insertion force required to traverse an abdominal wall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the tip and the shaft are a single component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein in a cross-section of the conical surface at the distal end, the diameter of the conical surface at the distal end is approximately 0.05 inches. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes a passageway along an inside of the shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein the tip is clear. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein one of the two side surfaces curves laterally and downwardly when viewed from a distal front view and the other of the two side surfaces curves laterally and upwardly when viewed from a distal front view. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The surgical obturator of claim 1 wherein one of the two side surfaces curves laterally, upwardly and then downwardly when viewed from a distal front view and the other of the two side surfaces curves laterally, downwardly and then upwardly when viewed from a distal front view.