# US 2016/0249902 A1 · System and method for delivering expanding trocar through a sheath > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0249902 A1 - Document ID: US20160249902A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/150,220 - Filed: 2016-05-09 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2009-04-21 - Assignees: XLumena, Inc. - Applicants: Xlumena, Inc. - Inventors: John Lunsford; Fiona Sander; Hoang Phan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160249902A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/320725: {with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements (A61B17/32075 takes precedence)} - A61B 17/3209: Incision instruments - A61B 17/3415: {for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters (A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06)} - A61B 17/3478: {Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion (biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067)} - A61B 17/320016: {Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes (A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/00278: {Transorgan operations, e.g. transgastric} - A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system} - A61B 2017/3425: {for internal organs, e.g. heart ports} - A61B 2017/346: {with wings} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A trocar has an elongate body and a tissue-penetrating tip. One or more radially extending blade(s) are provided near the tissue-penetrating tip of the trocar body so that they automatically open as the trocar is advanced through tissue. The blades will enlarge the penetration which was formed by the tip of the trocar. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trocar for use with a delivery sheath having a lumen, said trocar comprising: an elongate body which can be advanced through the sheath lumen; and at least one blade disposed near a distal end of the elongate body, said blade being biased to open from a radially retracted configuration to a radially extended configuration, wherein the blade is radially retracted when the distal end of the elongate body is within the sheath lumen and said blade opens radially when the distal end is advanced distally beyond the sheath lumen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, wherein the blade closes radially in response to being drawn back into the sheath lumen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A trocar as in claim 2, wherein the blade has a proximal surface which engages a distal surface of the delivery sheath to collapse the blade as the blade is drawn proximally back into the sheath lumen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, further comprising means for pulling the blade back into the elongate body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, wherein said elongate body has a tissue-penetrating distal tip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A trocar as in claim 5, wherein the tissue penetrating tip comprises a sharpened tip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, wherein a single blade is pivotally mounted so that opposite ends of the blade rotate to open from opposite sides of the elongate body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A trocar as in claim 7, further comprising a tether attached to the blade, wherein the tether can be tensioned to collapse the blade prior to drawing the blade back into the sheath. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A trocar as in claim 7, wherein the blade has a proximal surface which engages a distal surface of the delivery sheath causing the blade to collapse as the blade is drawn proximally back into the sheath lumen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, comprising at least two biased blades attached to a single pivot to open in a scissors-like pattern wherein the blades have sharpened distal edges to cut tissue as the elongate body is advanced. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, comprising two biased blades attached to pivot points on opposite sides of the elongate body, wherein the blades are parallel to each other within the elongate body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, comprising two blades which are axially spaced-apart on the elongate body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A trocar as in claim 12, comprising three blades axially spaced-apart on the elongate body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, wherein the blade(s) comprise pre-shaped wires which expand radially outwardly when released from constraint. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A trocar as in claim 14, further comprising a tether attached to the wire, wherein the tether can be tensioned to collapse the wire prior to drawing the trocar back into the sheath. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A trocar as in claim 1, wherein the blade is conformed circumferentially over the surface of the elongate body, wherein the blade is attached with an axially aligned hinge. ### Claim 17 A method for accessing an internal body organ, said method comprising: introducing a delivery sheath to a location adjacent to a wall of the organ; and advancing a trocar from a lumen in the delivery sheath, wherein the trocar penetrates the wall of the organ; wherein advancing the trocar releases a blade from constraint within the delivery sheath lumen so that the blade opens radially as the trocar exits the lumen such that the blade enlarges the penetration made by the distal tip of the trocar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the delivery sheath is introduced through a natural body orifice. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method as in claim 18, wherein the delivery sheath is introduced transorally or transanally into the GI tract to access a cyst, pseudocyst or abscess. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A method as in claim 18, wherein the delivery sheath is introduced transorally or transanally into the GI tract to access a gall bladder or a urinary bladder. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the delivery sheath comprises an endoscope and the lumen comprises a working channel of the endoscope. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the trocar has a tissue-penetrating tip and forms the penetration as it is advanced through the organ wall. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the blade is biased to spring open as the constraint is removed. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein a single blade opens. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein a pair of laterally opposed blades open. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) A method as in claim 18, wherein the delivery sheath is introduced transorally or transanally into the GI tract to access the bile duct or pancreatic duct. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) A method as in claim 18, wherein the delivery sheath is introduced transorally or transanally into the GI tract to access an organ or structure in the abdominal, pelvic or thoracic cavity adjacent to the GI tract. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) A method as in claim 17, wherein the delivery sheath comprises a catheter with a length from 20 cm to 500 cm and a diameter from 1 mm to 5 mm.