AU2001264959A1 - Trocar assembly with cushioned activator - Google Patents

Description

TROCAR ASSEMBLY WITH CUSHIONED ACTIVATOR

This application claims priority from provisional application Serial No.

60/207,082, filed May 25, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a surgical instrument for

puncturing a body cavity. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a

trocar assembly for puncturing a body cavity having a hand grip including a

cushioned slip-resistant portion.

2. Background of Related Art

Surgical mstrumentation for puncturing body cavities, i.e., trocar

assemblies are well known in the art. Typically, a trocar assembly includes an

obturator having a sharpened tip at one end for piercing the body cavity and a

hand grip portion mounted on the other end of the obturator which the surgeon

grasps in the palm of his hand. The hand grip portion includes a plunger which

engages the other end of the obturator and can be pressed with the palm of the

hand to force the sharpened end of the obturator through the body cavity wall.

Often, during endoscopic surgical procedures, multiple punctures through the

body cavities are required.

In known trocar assemblies, the hand grip portion of the trocar assembly is formed from a hard plastic material and considerable force may be required to

thrust the obturator through the body cavity wall. This force typically ranges from

about 2 lbs. to about 20 lbs. and may be even higher, especially when operating on

obese individuals. Such a force may cause discomfort to and eventually bruising

of the surgeon's hand. Moreover, during most surgical procedures, blood and

other body fluids collect on a surgeon's hands or gloves making it difficult for the

surgeon to grip the hand grip portion of the trocar assembly.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved trocar assembly which can be

actuated by a surgeon without causing the surgeon (hscomfort and which can be

securely gripped by a surgeon even in the presence of body fluids.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a trocar assembly is provided

which includes an obturator having a sharpened tip at one end and a hand grip

secured to the other end. The hand grip includes a cushioned slip resistant

member. The cushioned member is preferably formed from a thermoplastic

elastomer, e.g., Versaflex™or Santaprene™, and over-molded onto the hand grip

of the trocar assembly. Alternately, the cushioned member may be formed of

other cushioned or pliant materials, e.g., elastomeric or synthetic materials,

including isoprenes or nitrile or silicon containing material, etc. Moreover, the

grip member can be fastened to the grip portion using other known fastening

techniques, e.g., physical, chemical or mechanical, mcluding adhesives, welding,

screws, etc. BRIEF DESC-RIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed trocar assembly

are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed trocar

assembly; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the presently

disclosed trocar assembly positioned within a valved cannula assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed trocar assembly will now

be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference

numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several

views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a trocar assembly including an obturator 6 defming a

longitudinal axis and having first and second ends. FIG. 2 illustrates the trocar

assembly in combination with a cannula assembly 30. A sharpened tip 8 is

mounted on the first end of the obturator 6. Tip 8 functions to penetrate or pierce

a body cavity. A hand grip 4 is mounted on the second end of the obturator. Hand

grip 4 is preferably formed from molded thermoplastic housing half-sections

which are secured together to define a cavity 10 for receiving the second end of

obturator 6. Alternately, other materials may be suitable for use, including other

plastics, composites, surgical grade metals, etc. region of hand grip 4. The pressure contact regions of the hand grip include those

areas of hand grip 4 to which a surgeon must grasp or apply pressure to during

manipulation of the trocar assembly or insertion of obturator 6 through tissue into

a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, cushioned grip member 22 is formed

from a thermoplastic elastomer or elastomer blend, such a Versaflex™ or

Santoprene™, and is over-molded onto hand grip 4. A preferred thermoplastic

elastomer is OM1040-X Versaflex™. Alternately, the use of different cushioned

or pliant materials is envisioned, as is the use of different techniques for fastening

grip member 22 onto hand grip 4. For example, grip member 22 may be formed

from other pliant materials, including plastics, elastomers, synthetics, etc.

Moreover, grip member 22 may be fastened to hand grip 4 using other fastening

techniques, e.g., chemical, physical, or mechanical, including adhesives, screws,

welding, interengaging members, bonding, fusing, coating, dipping, spraying, etc.

The use of a cushioned portion formed from a thermoplastic or an

elastomeric material on the pressure contact regions of the handle assembly

cushions the impact on a surgeon's hand during operation of the surgical

instrument. Preferably, the cushioned portion is formed from a material having

slip resistant properties which adhere well to the gloves worn by a surgeon, even

in the presence of bodily fluids, to improve a surgeon's grip on the surgical

mstrument. In addition, the cushioned material may include a textured, roughened

or ridged surface to enhance or provide the slip-resistant surface. particular surgical instrument and its application. The pressure required to actuate

a particular instrument should be considered when choosing the material for

forming the cushioned portion of the instrument. For example, a softer material

may be more suitable for use with mstruments requiring higher actuation

pressures. Conversely, a harder material may be suitable for use in surgical

instruments requiring smaller actuation pressures. The durometer of the

cushioning material can be from about 10 to about 80, but is preferably between

about 20 to about 50, and more preferably about 40.

Other factors should also be considered prior to selecting the cushioning

material. These include whether the instrument is disposable or reusable and will

be subjected to sterilization or other cleaning processes. If the instrument is

reusable, a cushioning material having heat resistant properties should be used. In

the alternative, it is contemplated that the cushioning member can be removable

such that it could be removed from the surgical instrument prior to the sterilization

and/or cleaning process. For example, the cushioning member could be provided

as a removable flexible sleeve.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the

embodiments disclosed herein. For example, it is envisioned that other pliant or

cushion materials may be used to achieve a cushioning effect similar to that

disclosed above. Moreover, the above described cushioned portion may be

provided on other hand operated surgical devices. Therefore, the above

description should not be construed as limiting, but hereby as exemplifications of wilhin the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (10)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A trocar assembly comprising:

an obturator defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends,

a sharpened tip positioned on the first end of the obturator and a hand grip

positioned on a second end of the obturator opposite the first end, and a cushioned

member positioned on at least one pressure contact surface of the hand grip.

2. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the cushioned

member is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.

3. A surgical instrument according to Claim 2, wherein the cushioned

member is over-molded onto the hand grip.

4. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the cushioned

portion is formed from an elastomeric material.

5. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the cushioned member

is secured to the hand grip with an adhesive.

6. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the cushioned member

is secured to the hand grip by welding.

7. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the cushioned

member is formed from a slip resistant material.

8. A trocar assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the elastomeric

material is selected from the group consisting of isoprene,nitrile and silicon.

9. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the hand grip is an elastomeric material.

10. A trocar assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the cushioned

member is over-molded onto the hand grip.