Patent ID: 6319266
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A trocar system which comprises:a cannula forming an opening longitudinally therethrough and having a proximally facing surface disposed near a proximal end thereof; andan obturator assembly including a shaft fixed relative to the housing and being at least partially insertable through the cannula and including:a housing disposed at a proximal end, the housing including a base portion having a distally facing end surface configured and dimensioned to facilitate close proximate positioning thereof with the proximally facing surface of the cannula;a penetrating tip comprising a flat knife blade secured to the shaft being disposed at a distal end;an elongated shield including a guard extending from a shaft, the penetrating tip and guard being movable relative one another; anda latch mechanism disposed generally within the housing, which facilitates changing the configuration of the obturator assembly between a fixed-shield orientation, wherein at least a portion of the guard is maintained to extend at least partially distal of the penetrating tip to prevent puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip, to a non-fixed shield orientation whereby upon application of force to the distal end of the obturator assembly, the guard and penetrating tip are permitting to move relative one another to facilitate puncturing of tissue of the penetrating tip, the latch mechanism including;a release member having a button portion and camming surface; anda latch operatively associated with the release member, the latch having a blocking surface and a mating surface, the mating surface cooperating with the camming surface of the release member such that upon movement of the release member the camming surface biases the mating surface to move the latch such that the blocking surface permits axial movement of the shield.