Patent ID: 6152918
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A hand held auto-piercing mechanism comprising:a handle assembly having a head portion whose distal end is configured to engage tissue;a channel forming device extending through the handle assembly and head portion, the channel forming device comprising an optical fiber;a piercing means surrounding the channel forming device for making an initial opening in tissue, the piercing means includes a piercing tubular member which is retractable into the head portion, the piercing tubular member has a tapered tip portion and an internal bore for allowing slidable displacement of the optical fiber, a distal section of the piercing tubular member includes a means for axially bending of the piercing tubular member, and the optical fiber therein; anda movement means operatively attached to the piercing means and the channel forming device for independently controlling the movement of the piercing means and the channel forming device, the movement means comprises an adjustment means for moving the optical fiber within the handle assembly and head portion, the adjustment means forms part of the handle assembly, whereby the optical fiber's distal end can move beyond the head portion, and a means for presetting displacement of the optical fiber, thereby limiting the optical fiber's displacements.wherein the piercing means is wholly responsive to the movement means for making an initial opening in tissue.