Patent ID: 7651477
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A cannula, comprising: a cannula body formed of a translucent or transparent polycarbonate plastic; said cannula body having a distal end and said distal end including a sharp edge that frays and weakens sutures that rub thereagainst; an annular recess formed in a lumen of said cannula body at said distal end of said cannula body; a distal tip disposed in overlying, protective relation to said distal end and said sharp edge, said distal tip having a cylindrical main body and a rounded leading end having a diameter slightly greater than a diameter of said cylindrical main body; said distal tip formed of a material that is substantially unbreakable upon contact with bone or other hard material encountered during surgery; said annular recess having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said cylindrical main body of said distal tip and said annular recess having a longitudinal extent substantially equal to a longitudinal extent of said cylindrical main body; said rounded leading end of said distal tip overlying said sharp edge of said distal end of said cannula body when said cylindrical main body is received within said annular recess; and said distal tip having a lumen flush with said lumen of said cannula body when said cylindrical main body of said distal tip is received within said annular recess.