Patent ID: 8382716

Claim:
A pneumoperitoneum needle connectable to a source of fluid for insufflating a corporal cavity, the pneumoperitoneum needle comprising: an elongate tubular body defining a fluid passage extending therethrough; an elongate hollow tubular rod slidably received within the elongate tubular body, the elongate tubular rod including: a blunt distal end defining a pair of radially oriented openings formed therein, and a proximal end portion defining an opening formed therethrough, wherein the elongate tubular rod is movable relative to the tubular body between a first position and a second position; and an indicator in fluid communication with the source of fluid, wherein when the tubular rod is in the first position: the opening formed in the tubular rod is in fluid registration with the passage formed in the tubular body such that fluid is permitted to flow through the pair of radially oriented openings formed in the distal end thereof; and fluid is permitted to flow to the indicator to actuate the indicator to a first condition providing an indication that the fluid is flowing through the pair of radially oriented opening formed in the distal end of the tubular rod; and wherein when the tubular rod is in the second position: the opening formed in the tubular rod is out of registration with the passage formed in the tubular body such that fluid is prevented from flowing through the pair of radially oriented openings formed in the distal end thereof; and fluid is permitted to flow to the indicator to actuate the indicator to a second condition providing an indication that the fluid is not flowing through the pair of radially oriented opening formed in the distal end of the tubular rod.