Trocar guide tube positioning device

• US 5,217,441 A
• Filed: 03/27/1992
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shichman, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maglione, C.
• Application Number:
  US07/861,164
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 604/171, 604/161, 604/164-165, 604/170, 604/264, 604/265, 604/272, 604/274, 604/283, 606/167, 606/172, 606/181, 606/184, 606/185
• US Class Current: 604/536
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• 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 17/3496 Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth

Abstract

A trocar penetration depth indicator has a first, inner housing including a first threaded section and longitudinally extending gripping fingers, and a second, outer housing including a camming surface and a second threaded section to engage the first threaded section. The first and second housings slidably mount onto a trocar tube and can be secured relative to the guide tube by rotatably tightening the housings to cause the gripping fingers to firmly grip the trocar tube. Depth penetration indicia is provided on the guide tube surface and sufficient guide tube grasping force is obtained to prevent the depth indicator from being dislodged during trocar insertion. A guide tube positioning device is provided to engage the penetration depth indicator and to secure the guide tube relative to the surrounding skin of the patient in order to prevent inadvertent withdrawal or further insertion of the trocar.

Claims

1. In a trocar having a guide tube, the improvement comprising a trocar stabilizing device including:

(i) a first housing comprising a first engaging portion, a plurality of guide tube gripping fingers, and a substantially cylindrical first housing aperture configured and dimensioned to receive said guide tube with said guide tube fingers extending longitudinally to and surrounding said guide tube;

(ii) a second housing comprising a second engaging portion configured and dimensioned to engage said first engaging portion, a second housing camming surface, and a second housing aperture extending axially therethrough and aligned with said first housing aperture to receive the guide tube;

(iii) said first and second housings assuming a first, unlocked position whereby said first and second housings are axially slidable along the guide tube, and a second, locked position wherein said second housing camming surface exerts radially inward force upon said gripping fingers, such that said gripping fingers frictionally engage said guide tube to prevent axial sliding movement of said first and second housings relative to the guide tube; and

(iv) guide tube positioning means, said guide tube positioning means integral with said second housing and having thread means for engaging a patient'"'"'s skin.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said guide tube positioning means further comprise a sleeve portion integral with and extending from said second housing.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said thread means is integral with said sleeve and comprises at least one radially extending rib member.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said rib is a helical coil member disposed on an outer surface of said sleeve.

5. A stabilizing device for use with a trocar sleeve, comprising:

a first housing having an integral, distally extending sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and an aperture transverse to said longitudinal axis, said aperture configured and dimensioned to receive said trocar sleeve, and said first housing being repositionable along said trocar sleeve;

means associated with said first housing for releasably fixing said first housing with respect to said trocar sleeve; and

engagement means associated with said first housing for extending into and engaging body tissue so as to stabilize said first housing with respect to said body tissue, wherein said engagement means comprises an outwardly directed rib along said distally extending sleeve.

6. A stabilizing device for use with a trocar sleeve according to claim 5, wherein said rib is helically disposed along said sleeve.