US 5,685,820 A · Instrument for the penetration of body tissue

Abstract

An instrument for penetrating body tissue has a rigid hollow shaft having at its distal end a penetrating point, which is at least partly transparent and which is conical, beveled or tapered; a hollow sleeve may surround the shaft. The instrument includes or can be associated with lighting and viewing elements. There may be provided a helical element at the penetrating point, having surfaces converging outwardly to a line. In another embodiment, the point comprises plural, flat, angularly related surfaces converging to a line, the point being at least partly transparent, as by being of opaque material having one or more openings closed by a transparent window. In a further embodiment, the point has a conical distal end and has along its side at least one and preferably two blade members which is/are at or rearwardly of the apex or distal end of the conical tip, and have surfaces converging to a linear edge coaxial with the axis of the point.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An instrument for the direct penetration of body tissue comprising:

a point having a proximal end and a distal end, said point having an axis between said proximal and distal ends, and enlarging in transverse extent from the distal end thereof towards the proximal end thereof, whereby said point is shaped to penetrate body tissue to create an opening therein and to enlarge the opening as the point is advanced with the said distal end forward of said proximal end,
said distal end being substantially planar and substantially transverse to said axis, and at least said distal end being a transparent window to enable the transmission of light and the image of tissue, organ and the like,
said point having an element with at least one set of surfaces converging to a linear edge extending from or adjoining the distal end of said point towards the proximal end thereof, said element having a distal end not beyond the distal end of said point,
a rigid linear element at the proximal end of said point for advancing said point into and withdrawing said point from body tissue,
whereby body tissue exteriorly of said point may be viewed prior to cutting and penetration thereof.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Instrument for the penetration of body tissue

Life of this patent

Instrument for the penetration of body tissue

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31