US 5,401,247 AGranted

Safety penetrating instrument

OwnerInBae Yooninventor

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Abstract

A safety penetrating instrument for introducing a portal sleeve into an anatomical cavity particularly useful in least invasive surgery includes a safety probe having a distal end configuration cooperating with the sharp distal tip of a penetrating member to protect the tip in an extended position and to expose the tip in a retracted position. The configuration of the distal ends of the penetrating member and the safety probe in the retracted position form a solid, continuous surface tissue penetrating tip for the safety penetrating instrument. The safety probe and penetrating member can be removed from the portal sleeve as a unit or the safety probe can be removed while leaving the penetrating member in place for use in further procedures. The safety probe can carry interchangeable protective bodies on the distal end thereof, the bodies being made of flexible, pliable and preferably resilient materials.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A safety penetrating instrument comprising

an elongate, penetrating member having a proximal end and a distal end defining a sharp tip for penetrating tissue;
a safety member having a proximal end and a distal end and being movable between an extended position with said safety member distal end protruding distally of said sharp tip and a retracted position with said safety member distal end exposing said sharp tip;
hub means for receiving said proximal ends of said penetrating member and said safety member;
bias means for biasing said safety member toward said extended position and for permitting said safety member to move proximally to said retracted position in response to a proximally directed force applied to said safety member distal end, said bias means returning said safety member to said extended position when the force applied to said safety member distal end is removed;
housing means abutting said hub means;
an elongate, tubular portal sleeve surrounding said penetrating member and having a proximal end secured to said housing means and a distal end disposed adjacent said penetrating member distal end;
and
locking means disposed in said hub means for controllably locking said safety member in said extended position, said locking means including an end cap movable relative to said hub means for controlling operation of said locking means in response to squeezing of said hub means and said end cap.

5 more elements

A method for performing a least invasive surgical procedure utilizing a safety penetrating instrument including a portal sleeve having an open distal end and an open proximal end secured to a housing, a penetrating member movably disposed in the portal sleeve and having a proximal end and a sharp tissue penetrating distal end, a safety member having a distal end and a proximal end and being movable relative to the penetrating member between an extended position protecting the sharp distal end and a retracted position exposing the sharp distal end, a hub abutting the housing and receiving the proximal ends of the penetrating member and the safety member, a locking mechanism disposed in the hub in locking engagement with the safety member preventing movement of the safety member to the retracted position and an end cap mounted for movement relative to the hub, the method comprising the steps of

contacting the wall tissue of an anatomical cavity with the safety penetrating instrument;
squeezing the hub and end cap to move the end cap relative to the hub causing the locking mechanism to be disengaged from the safety member;
forcing the safety penetrating instrument against the wall tissue while squeezing the hub and end cap causing the safety member to move to the retracted position;
introducing the safety penetrating instrument into the anatomical cavity allowing the safety member to move to the extended position and causing the locking mechanism to automatically engage the safety member;
and
positioning the distal end of the portal sleeve in the anatomical cavity.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/178,154Filed 6 Jan 1994 · continuation
Priority: 18 Dec 1990
Granted: 28 Mar 1995
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

A61B 10/0233
Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy: pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
A61B 10/0266
Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments: means for severing sample
A61B 17/3496
With safety means for protection against accidental cutting or pricking, e.g. limiting insertion depth, pressure sensors: protecting sleeves or…
A61B 17/3417
Trocars; Puncturing needles: details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating