Patent ID: 8940007
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical system for penetrating tissue, which comprises an obturator including: an obturator housing; an obturator member extending from the obturator housing, the obturator member including an obturator rod and a leading penetrating member and defining a longitudinal axis along which the obturator rod extends from trailing to leading ends thereof, the leading penetrating member adapted to penetrate tissue, the penetrating member defining, from leading to trailing, a cylindrical element having a generally arcuate leading surface and a generally planar dissecting element extending from the cylindrical element, the planar dissecting element being longitudinally spaced relative to the leading end of the cylindrical element, to permit the cylindrical element to perform initial dissection of tissue during advancement of the penetrating member in tissue, the obturator rod and the leading penetrating member being monolithically formed; and a distal nose having a central aperture and at least one slot longitudinally spaced from the central aperture, the central aperture of the distal nose configured to receive at least a portion of the cylindrical element therethrough and the at least one slot of the distal nose configured to receive at least a portion of the planar dissecting element therethrough, the distal nose being adapted for longitudinal movement between a first fully extended position corresponding to a first operative condition of the penetrating member and a second retracted position corresponding to a second operative condition of the penetrating member, the distal nose being normally biased toward the first fully extended position.