IP Library Granted Patent US 12,376,741
Granted Patent B2
US 12,376,741 · App. 17/888,196 · Granted Aug 5, 2025

Surgical access assembly and method of using same

Inventors: Joseph L. Mark (Indianapolis, IN); Brian C. Dougherty (Terre Haute, IN); Adam Furore (Warsaw, IN); Mick Trompen (Westfield, IN)
Assignee: Stryker Corporation
A61B1/32A61B1/0014A61B1/0607A61B17/0218A61B17/320016A61B17/3417A61B17/3421A61B17/3423A61B90/30A61M39/06A61B1/00154A61B5/0066A61B5/0071A61B5/055A61B5/061A61B6/12A61B8/0808A61B8/0841A61B8/12A61B2017/320064A61B17/3205A61B2017/3456A61B2034/2051A61B2090/062A61B2090/0807A61B2090/0811A61B2090/103A61B2090/306A61B2090/309A61B90/361A61B2090/3614A61M2039/0626
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,376,741
App. No.
17/888,196
Granted
Aug 5, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illuminating ring assembly is disclosed. The illuminating ring configured to be used with a surgical access element. The illuminating ring assembly comprises a housing defined by a cover and a wall member extending from the cover, wherein the cover and wall member cooperate to define a cavity therein, a light element configured to be disposed with the cavity, and an attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach the housing to a surgical access element. Wherein the cover and the light element both include an opening therethrough.

Claims (26)

1. A surgical access system, comprising:

an outer sheath defined by a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending between the proximal end and distal end;

an obturator defined by a first end and a second end and having a distal tip disposed on the second end of the obturator, wherein the obturator is removably received within the outer sheath such that the distal tip is configured to protrude distally from the distal end of the outer sheath when in an introducing configuration; and

a housing defining an opening; and

at least one light element configured to be selectively disposed entirely within the housing, wherein the housing is selectively secured/releasably attached to a proximal end face of the outer sheath such that the at least one light element is positioned above the lumen of the outer sheath, wherein the at least one light element provides light to a surgical corridor via the outer sheath.

2. A surgical access system of claim 1 , further including a selectively removable attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach the housing to the proximal end face.

3. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the opening axially aligns with the lumen of the outer sheath to allow for the introduction of surgical instruments into the outer sheath when the obturator is removed.

4. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer sheath is frosted.

5. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the outer sheath includes a locating member that operatively connects the housing to the outer sheath in a predetermined position.

6. A surgical access system of claim 5 , wherein the locating member extends outwardly from an outer periphery of the proximal end of the outer sheath.

7. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light element is fixedly mounted to a surface of the housing and oriented toward the lumen of the outer sheath when mounted to the outer sheath.

8. A surgical access system of claim 7 , wherein each at least one light element is electrically connected to a remote power source.

9. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the light from the at least one light element is directed from the proximal end of the outer sheath down the lumen of the outer sheath.

10. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light element includes LED lights.

11. A surgical access system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one light element is configured to emit different combinations of frequencies of light that cooperate with fluorescing dyes.

12. A surgical access system of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath includes a manipulation ring mounted to the proximal end of the outer sheath.

13. A surgical access system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one light element is mounted adjacent to the manipulation ring.

14. A surgical access system, comprising:

an outer sheath defined by a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending between the proximal end and distal end;

an obturator defined by a first end and a second end and having a distal tip disposed on the second end of the obturator, wherein the obturator is removably received within the outer sheath such that the distal tip is configured to protrude distally from the distal end of the outer sheath when in an introducing configuration; and

a housing having at least one light element disposed within the housing that is selectively secured to a manipulation ring operatively connected to the proximal end of the outer sheath, wherein the at least one light element is oriented within the housing such that the at least one light element is positioned above the lumen of the outer sheath so as to direct light down through the lumen of the outer sheath.

15. A surgical access system, comprising:

an outer sheath defined by a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen extending between the proximal end and distal end;

an obturator defined by a first end and a second end and having a distal tip disposed on the second end of the obturator, wherein the obturator is removably received within the outer sheath such that the distal tip is configured to protrude distally from the distal end of the outer sheath when in an introducing configuration; and

a housing configured to maintain at least one light element disposed entirely within the housing, the housing removably secured to a manipulation ring operatively connected to the proximal end of the outer sheath, wherein the at least one light element is oriented within the housing such that the at least one light element is positioned above the lumen of the outer sheath, wherein the at least one light element provides light to a surgical corridor via the outer sheath.

16. A surgical access system of claim 15 , further including a selectively removable attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach the housing to the proximal end.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2025
From: NICO CORPORATION
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071475/0696 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2024
From: FURORE, ADAM; TROMPEN, MICK
To: NICO CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 068473/0162 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 16208085 · Dec 3, 2018
Continuation 14847863 · Sep 8, 2015
Division 13786186 · Mar 5, 2013
Continuation In Part 13280015 · Oct 24, 2011
Continuation In Part 11665666
Provisional Application 60623094 · Oct 28, 2004
Related Publication 20230045431A1 · Feb 9, 2023
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