IP Library Granted Patent US 11,559,327
Granted Patent B2
US 11,559,327 · App. 16/800,338 · Granted Jan 24, 2023

Optical obturator

Inventors: Robert C. Smith (Chaplin, SC); Thomas Wenchell (Durham, CT)
Assignee: Covidien LP
A61B17/34A61B17/3421A61B90/361A61B2017/00473A61B2017/347A61B2017/3454
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,559,327
App. No.
16/800,338
Granted
Jan 24, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

Claims (14)

1. An optical access apparatus, comprising:

an obturator sleeve defining a passageway, the passageway defining a longitudinal axis and configured to receive surgical instrumentation at least partially therethrough; and

a tip disposed adjacent a distal end of the obturator sleeve, the tip being rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis between a first position where a distal end of the tip is in general alignment with the longitudinal axis and a second position where the distal end of the tip is offset from the longitudinal axis, wherein the tip includes a structure configured to selectively prevent the tip from rotating about the axis of rotation relative to the obturator sleeve.

2. The optical access apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the tip is in the first position, the tip restricts surgical instrumentation from being advanced through the passageway to position that is distally beyond the tip.

3. The optical access apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein when the tip is in the second position, surgical instrumentation is permitted to advance through the passageway to the position that is distally beyond the tip.

4. The optical access apparatus according to claim 3 , further including a control member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the tip and extending along at least a portion of the obturator sleeve, the control member being actuable to move the tip between the first position and the second position.

5. The optical access apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tip includes a cutting blade adapted to penetrate tissue.

6. The optical access apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the cutting blade is included on the distal end of the tip.

7. The optical access apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tip allows light to pass therethrough.

8. The optical access apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the structure included on the tip includes one of a notch or a key, and wherein the obturator sleeve includes the other of the notch or the key, the notch and the key cooperate to selectively prevent the tip from rotating about the axis of rotation relative to the obturator sleeve.

9. The optical access apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein distal movement of the tip relative to the obturator sleeve causes the key to disengage the notch thereby permitting rotation of the tip relative to the obturator sleeve.

10. The optical access apparatus according to claim 9 , further including a control member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the tip and extending along at least a portion of the obturator sleeve, the control member actuable to move the tip between the first position and the second position, and the control member actuable to move the tip distally relative to the obturator sleeve.

11. The optical access apparatus according to claim 10 , further including a handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the control member, distal movement of the handle relative to the obturator sleeve actuates the control member and moves the tip distally relative to the obturator sleeve, and rotation of the handle about a handle axis actuates the control member and moves the tip between the first position and the second position.

12. The optical access apparatus according to claim 11 , further including a bevel gear disposed between the handle and the control member.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2020
From: SMITH, ROBERT C.; WENCHELL, THOMAS
To: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
Reel/Frame 051919/0996 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 25, 2020
From: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP LP
To: COVIDIEN LP
Reel/Frame 052011/0214 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 15689464 · Aug 29, 2017
Continuation 12276632 · Nov 24, 2008
Division 11095413 · Mar 31, 2005
Related Publication 20200187980A1 · Jun 18, 2020