Bladeless optical obturator

• US 20050065543A1
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Kahle, Henry, Brustad, John R., Johnson, Gary M., Strokosz, Arkadiusz A., Taylor, Scott V., McGinley, Kimball B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,947,058 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/190
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3474 Insufflating needles, e.g. Veress needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3496 Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00907 for light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3425 for internal organs, e.g. heart ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3445 used as instrument channel for multiple instruments catheters A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3456 blunt
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/346 with wings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3464 with means acting on inner surface of valve or seal for expanding or protecting, e.g. inner pivoting fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/347 Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 : Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/361 : Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour

Abstract

The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers. The side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections. The intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction and the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

Claims

41. A surgical obturator adapted to separate body tissue, comprising:

a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and

a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft having a tapered surface forming proximally into an outer surface, said outer surface including a pair of generally opposed sections,

wherein the outer surface has a generally geometric shape in progressive radial cross-sections from a distal cross-section to a proximal cross-section,

wherein the pair of generally opposed sections of the outer surface appears as a pair of lines in each of the progressive radial cross-sections,

wherein at least one of the pair of lines becomes more arcuate in the progressive radial cross-sections, and

wherein the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue.

42. The surgical obturator of claim 41, wherein the area of the geometric shape increases along the progressive radial cross-sections.

43. The surgical obturator of claim 42, wherein the at least one of the pair of lines rotates in a first direction around the axis in the progressive radial cross-sections.

44. The surgical obturator of claim 43, wherein the at least one of the pair of lines rotates around the axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the progressive radial cross-sections.

45. The surgical obturator of claim 41, wherein the shaft is hollow.

46. A surgical obturator, comprising:

a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and

a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft having a tapered surface forming proximally into an outer surface, said outer surface extending distally to a blunt point,

wherein the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue.

47. The surgical obturator of claim 46, wherein said outer surface includes a pair of side sections extending from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis.

48. The surgical obturator of claim 46, wherein the shaft is hollow.

49. The surgical obturator of claim 46, wherein the shaft is constructed of an autoclavable material.

50. The surgical obturator of claim 49, wherein the autoclavable material is stainless steel.

51. The surgical obturator of claim 49, wherein the autoclavable material is a polymer.

52. The surgical obturator of claim 46, wherein the tip further comprises a cutout section to provide the distal end of the optical instrument with direct vision of the body tissue.

53. The surgical obturator of claim 46, further comprising a lock disposed at the proximal end of the shaft to frictionally lock the optical instrument in an axial position in the shaft.

54. The surgical obturator of claim 53, wherein the lock prevents the optical instrument from moving axially relative to the shaft.

55. The surgical obturator of claim 53, wherein the lock allows the optical instrument to rotate freely about the shaft.

56. The surgical obturator of claim 53, wherein the lock is constructed from a plastic material including polycarbonate.

57. The surgical obturator of claim 53, wherein the lock is a multi-finger collet having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the optical instrument.

58. The surgical obturator of claim 57, wherein the fingers of the collet spread open during insertion of the optical instrument providing frictional engagement with the outer diameter of the optical instrument.

59. The surgical obturator of claim 53, wherein the lock further comprises a means for frictionally engaging the optical instrument in the axial position relative to the shaft.

60. The surgical obturator of claim 59, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes a camming member.

61. The surgical obturator of claim 59, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes a locking collar.

62. The surgical obturator of claim 59, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes a locking nut and thread.

63. The surgical obturator of claim 59, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes an elastomeric element.

64. The surgical obturator of claim 63, wherein the elastomeric element is an O-ring.

65. An optical separator adapted to receive an image of a body tissue and to separate the body tissue, comprising:

an optical instrument having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a bladeless tip removably attached at the distal end of the optical instrument and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, said outer surface extending distally to a blunt point.

66. The optical separator of claim 65, wherein the blunt point further comprises a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, and

wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis.

67. The optical separator of claim 65, wherein the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.

68. The optical separator of claim 66, wherein:

the side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion; and

the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections.

69. The optical separator of claim 66, wherein:

the intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion;

the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction; and

the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

70. The optical separator of claim 69, wherein the distal portion of the intermediate section has a width which increases proximally.

71. The optical separator of claim 65, wherein the outer surface in radial cross-section has a general configuration of a geometric shape.

72. The optical separator of claim 71, wherein the geometric shape is a rectangle with at least one pair of opposing arcuate sides.

73. The optical separator of claim 65, wherein the tip is transparent or translucent.

74. A bladeless tip adapted to be removably attached to a distal end of an optical instrument for receiving an image of a body tissue and to separate body tissue, said bladeless tip having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, said outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis.

1. A surgical obturator adapted to separate body tissue, comprising:

a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and

a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, said outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section,

wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and

wherein the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue.

2. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.

3. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein:

the side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion; and

the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections.

4. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein:

the intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion;

the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction; and

the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

5. The surgical obturator of claim 4, wherein the distal portion of the intermediate section has a width which increases proximally.

6. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the outer surface in radial cross-section has a general configuration of a geometric shape.

7. The surgical obturator of claim 6, wherein the geometric shape is a rectangle with at least one pair of opposing arcuate sides.

8. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the shaft is hollow.

9. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is transparent or translucent.

10. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is formed from a plastic material or a glass material.

11. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein at least at least one of the shaft and the tip is constructed from a reusable material.

12. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein at least at least one of the shaft and the tip is constructed from a disposable material.

13. The surgical obturator of claim 11, wherein the reusable material is a metallic material or an autoclavable polymer.

14. The surgical obturator of claim 10, wherein the plastic material is at least one of polycarbonate, polyphenylsulfone, polyetherimide, acrylic, and polyvinyl chloride.

15. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is generally hollow to receive the distal end of the optical instrument.

16. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is substantially solid to receive the distal end of the optical instrument.

17. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip further comprises at least one portion that is marked differently from the rest of the tip to serve as a marker as the tip is being inserted into the body tissue.

18. The surgical obturator of claim 17, wherein the at least one portion is marked with a different color from the rest of the tip.

19. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is shaped and configured to receive the distal end of the optical instrument having a non-angled lens.

20. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is shaped and configured to receive the distal end of the optical instrument having an angled lens.

21. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip further comprises a ledge to provide proper positioning of the distal end of the optical instrument having a non-angled lens or the optical instrument having an angled lens.

22. The surgical obturator of claim 20, wherein the tip further comprises a bulbous section to accommodate the distal end of the angled lens optical instrument.

23. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is coated or constructed from a soft elastomeric material.

24. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip is constructed from a solid elastomer or a composite elastomer/polymer.

25. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the shaft and the tip are connected together by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, snap-fitting, shrink tubing, or by overmolding the tip over the shaft.

26. The surgical obturator of claim 1, wherein the tip further comprises a cutout section to provide the distal end of the optical instrument with direct vision of the body tissue.

27. The surgical obturator of claim 1, further comprising a lock disposed at the proximal end of the shaft to frictionally lock the optical instrument in an axial position in the shaft.

28. The surgical obturator of claim 27, wherein the lock prevents the optical instrument from moving axially relative to the shaft.

29. The surgical obturator of claim 27, wherein the lock allows the optical instrument to rotate freely about the shaft.

30. The surgical obturator of claim 27, wherein the lock is constructed from a plastic material including polycarbonate.

31. The surgical obturator of claim 27, wherein the lock is a multi-finger collet having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the optical instrument.

32. The surgical obturator of claim 31, wherein the fingers of the collet spread open during insertion of the optical instrument providing frictional engagement with the outer diameter of the optical instrument.

33. The surgical obturator of claim 27, wherein the lock further comprises a means for frictionally engaging the optical instrument in the axial position relative to the shaft.

34. The surgical obturator of claim 33, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes a camming member.

35. The surgical obturator of claim 33, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes a locking collar.

36. The surgical obturator of claim 33, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes a locking nut and thread.

37. The surgical obturator of claim 33, wherein the frictionally engaging means includes an elastomeric element.

38. The surgical obturator of claim 37, wherein the elastomeric element is an O-ring.

39. The surgical obturator of claim 1, further comprising a cap disposed at the proximal end of the shaft.

40. The surgical obturator of claim 39, wherein the cap further comprises a handle.

75. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.

76. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein:

the side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion; and

the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections.

77. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein:

the intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion;

the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction; and

the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

78. The bladeless tip of claim 77, wherein the distal portion of the intermediate section has a width which increases proximally.

79. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the outer surface in radial cross-section has a general configuration of a geometric shape.

80. The bladeless tip of claim 79, wherein the geometric shape is a rectangle with at least one pair of opposing arcuate sides.

81. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is transparent or translucent.

82. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is formed from a plastic material or a glass material.

83. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is formed from a reusable or disposable material.

84. The bladeless tip of claim 82, wherein the plastic material is at least one of polycarbonate, polyphenylsulfone, polyetherimide, acrylic, and polyvinyl chloride.

85. The blades tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is generally hollow to receive the distal end of the optical instrument.

86. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is substantially solid to receive the distal end of the optical instrument.

87. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is shaped and configured to receive the distal end of the optical instrument having a non-angled lens.

88. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is shaped and configured to receive the distal end of the optical instrument having an angled lens.

86-1. The bladeless tip of claim 74, wherein the tip is substantially solid to receive the distal end of the optical instrument.