MXPA06003500A - Angled connection for bullet tip to bullet shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

A trocar obturator includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft also includes an outer surface. A tip member is secured to the distal end of the shaft, the tip member including a first end and a second end, as well as an outer surface. A keyed coupling structure links the tip member to the shaft, wherein the shaft adjacent the tip member tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the tip member and the tip member adjacent the shaft tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the shaft.

Description

CONNECTION IN ANGLE FOR SHUTTER TIP TO SHUTTER ARROW BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to trocars. Most particularly, the invention relates to an obturator tip assembly for a trocar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE A trocar assembly is a surgical instrument used to gain access to a body cavity. A trocar assembly generally comprises two major components, a trocar sleeve, composed of a trocar housing and a trocar cannula, and a trocar obturator. The trocar cannula, which has the trocar obturator inserted therethrough, is directed through the skin to access a body cavity. Once the body cavity is accessed, laparoscopic or arthroscopic surgery and endoscopic procedures can be performed. To penetrate the skin, the distal end of the trocar cannula is placed against the skin that has been previously cut with a scalpel. The trocar obturator is then used to penetrate the skin and access the body cavity. By applying pressure against the proximal end of the trocar obturator, the sharp tip of the trocar obturator is forced through the skin until it enters the body cavity. The trocar cannula is inserted through the perforation made by the trocar obturator and the trocar obturator is retracted, leaving the trocar cannula as an access route to the body cavity. The proximal end portion of the trocar cannula is typically attached to a trocar housing defining a chamber having a distal end portion open in communication with the interior lumen defined by the trocar cannula. A trocar obturator, or other elongated surgical instruments or tools, extends axially toward and is withdrawn from the trocar cannula through the proximal end portion of the chamber defined by the trocar housing. Current trocar obturators have distal ends designed for passage through the various seal assemblies used in trocars. The distal ends, or tips, of the current trocar obturators are subject to altering the seal assemblies and consequently complicate the insertion and extraction procedures. In addition, the construction of the prior art is generally difficult to manufacture and assemble. As such, there is a need for an improved trocar obturator tip construction that obviates the drawbacks of prior art trocar obturators. The present invention provides a trocar obturator tip construction that obviates the drawbacks by providing a structure that permits easy assembly of the tip and passage through the seal assemblies used in trocar sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator having an arrow with a proximal end, a distal end and an outer surface. The trocar obturator further includes a tip member secured to the distal end of the shaft. The tip member includes a first end and a second end, as well as an outer surface. A coupling structure links the tip member to the arrow, wherein the arrow adjacent the tip member tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the tip member and the tip member adjacent to the arrow tapers. at a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the arrow. An object of the present invention is also to provide a trocar obturator wherein at least a portion of the arrow adjacent the tip member includes at least one support member and the first end of the tip member is configured and sized to receive to the support member when assembling the tip member on the distal end of the arrow. The support member is also substantially coextensive with the adjacent portions of the tip member.

Another object of the present invention is also to provide a trocar obturator wherein the distal end of the arrow includes a plurality of support members defining raised and reduced sections around the circumference of the arrow. The support members are substantially coextensive with the adjacent portions of the tip member. A further object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator wherein the first end of the tip member includes extension arms configured and sized to be positioned with the respective reduced sections defined by the support members along the distal end of the shaft. arrow. The extension members are substantially coextensive with the adjacent portions of the arrow. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator wherein the arrow includes a coupling member along the distal end thereof for engagement with the tip member. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator wherein the coupling member is a diverted engaging member to settle within a depression formed along an internal surface of the tip member. An object of the present invention is also to provide a trocar obturator wherein the arrow includes a plurality of diverted jump coupling members for seating within respective depressions formed along the internal surface of the tip member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator wherein the tip member includes an internal surface on which the distal end of the arrow is mounted during assembly, and the inner surface includes an inwardly directed lip that bounds the movement of the tip member in relation to the arrow. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator wherein the distal end of the shaft includes at least one support member and the first end of the tip member is configured and sized to receive the support member when the member is assembled. tip on the distal end of the arrow. Another object of the present invention is also to provide a trocar obturator wherein the tip member includes an inner surface on which the distal end of the arrow is mounted during assembly, and the inner surface includes a lip directed inwardly to the - limit the movement of the tip member in relation to the arrow. Another object of the present invention is to provide a trocar obturator wherein the coupling structure is a cocked coupling structure. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trocar assembly in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trocar assembly shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a detailed exploded view of the trocar tip plug. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 in Figure 2. Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are several views of the tip described in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The detailed embodiment of the present invention is described herein. However, it can be understood that the modality described is merely illustrative of the invention, which can be modalized in several ways. Therefore, the details described herein should not be construed as limiting, but simply as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching a person skilled in the art how to make and / or use the invention. A tip structure 11 for a trocar obturator 14 is described. The tip structure 11 provides for improved operation of the trocar obturator 14 as it passes through the trocar cannula 12 and trocar housing 16. As you will certainly appreciate it those skilled in the art, the concepts on which the present invention is based can be applied to a variety of obturator of trocar structures without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the trocar assembly 10 generally includes a trocar cannula 12, a trocar obturator 14, and a trocar housing (or handle) 16. For example, the present trocar obturator is designed for used with a trocar assembly as described in the US patent application with serial No. 10 / 943,215, entitled "MULTI-ANGLED DUCKBILL SEAL ASSEMBLY", filed September 17, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present trocar obturator can be used with a variety of trocar assemblies without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In summary, the trocar cannula 12 defines an interior lumen 18 having an open distal end portion 20 and an open proximal end portion 22. The proximal end portion 22 extends toward and is mounted to the end distal portion 24 of the trocar housing 16. The trocar housing 16 has an open proximal end portion 26 defining an opening 28. The opening 28 is provided with a proximal seal assembly 30 constructed in accordance with the present invention and described in detail below. The opening 28 is further provided with a duckbill seal assembly 32 located below the proximal seal assembly 28. Although the present seal assembly is described as a proximal seal assembly that is part of a double seal system, the present seal assembly can be used in a single seal system without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In general, the trocar sleeve 44 is comprised of a trocar cannula 12 and a trocar housing 16. The trocar housing 16 includes a first housing member 36 and a second housing member 38. Although housing 16 describes how two components in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that a single component could be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The housing of two components in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention aids in the removal of specimens. The trocar obturator 14 is slidable in and removable from the interior of the trocar cannula 12 and is inserted into the trocar housing 16 and the trocar cannula 12 through the proximal seal assembly 30, the duckbill seal assembly 32 and the opening 28 of the trocar housing 16. A plug handle 48 is provided at the proximal end 46 of the trocar plug 14 and a blade (not shown), which is actuated by a lever 47 in a conventional manner, is formed at the distal end 50 thereof. As is well known in the art, the proximal seal assembly 30 cooperates with the exterior of the instruments (e.g., trocar obturators and other tools adapted for use in conjunction with trocar-based procedures) that extend through the sleeve of trocar 44 for sealingly engaging the outer surface thereof and thus preventing the passage of fluids through the trocar housing 16. Referring to Figures 1 to 8, the trocar obturator 14 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in great detail. The trocar obturator 14 generally includes a proximal end 46 to which a handle 48 is secured. The trocar obturator 14 further includes a distal end 50 which includes a tip member 52 that forms the focus of the present disclosure. Between the distal end 50 and the proximal end 46 of the trocar obturator 14 is an arrow 54 connecting the tip member 52 to the handle 48. According to a preferred embodiment, the trocar obturator 14 is a polycarbonate. Very particularly, the trocar obturator 14 is predominantly polycarbonate with additives added to particular components for further lubrication. Finally, the materials used in accordance with the present invention are conventional and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various materials can be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. With particular reference to the distal end 50 of the trocar obturator 14, the tip member 52 is secured to the arrow 54 along a joint that provides a long interface between the tip member 52 and the arrow 54. The longer interface Provides more resistance to avoid bending and excessive deflection due to lateral loading. Further, by providing a tip member 52 that is distinctly formed in relation to the arrow 54, the tip member 52 can be formed in a different color from that of the arrow 54, providing increased display of the tip member 52 of the shutter In addition, the present coupling structure allows a larger diameter arrow to be used, which ultimately results in a stronger seal than that found in prior art obturator designs made from plastics. The tip member 52 is coupled by jumping to the arrow 54. As will be appreciated from the following description, the jump connection between the arrow 54 and the tip member 52 facilitates assembly and ultimately results in a stronger connection than that found in prior art constructions. The jump connection, together with the increased lap length between the arrow 54 and the tip member 52, results in the creation of a stronger bond between the tip member 52 and the arrow 54. By providing a tip member 52 in accordance with the present invention, there is less need to make the center of the shutter and interruptions in the tool to achieve the center are eliminated. Those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate it, making the center refer to one step in the injection molding process. The present tip member 52 is separated from the arrow 54 during molding. By making both the arrow 54 and the tip member 52 as two separate components, each is easier to produce. Making the center has been difficult to achieve before and is rather expensive since additional interruptions in the tool increase the complexity and maintenance of the mold. The present invention simplifies the process of making the center and produces substantial savings in money. In addition, by providing a tip member in accordance with the present invention, the same arrow can be used for both 11 mm and 12 mm designs by simplifying the securing of a different tip member to the same arrow. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the distal end 56 of the arrow 54 includes a platform area 58 on which the tip member 52 is mounted. The platform area 58 is formed with a series of circumferentially oriented support members. 60. The raised support members 60 define alternating raised or reduced sections 62, 64 along the circumferences at the distal end 56 of the arrow 54. As will be appreciated from the following description, the support members 60 are separated of the distal tip 66 of the arrow 54 to create and define the platform area 58 on which the tip member 52 is mounted for assembly of the present trocar obturator 14. Adjacent to the raised or reduced sections 62, 64 defined by the Support members 60 are first and second deviating jump coupling members 68. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling members are The jump members 68 are located between the support members 60 and the distal tip 66 of the arrow 54. In this manner, the jump coupling members 68 are seated within respective depressions 70 formed along the length of the tip member 52 in a position that offers ideal resistance characteristics. Although the position of the jump coupling members is described herein in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the jump coupling members can be located at other locations along the platform area and different numbers of coupling members. by jumping they can be provided without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Although a specific coupling structure is described in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it can be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention; for example, screw threads, adhesive, a friction or tapered fit, or a coupling pin could be used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the jump coupling members 68 are located on opposite sides of the platform area 58 for engagement with opposite walls of the tip member 52 when the tip member 52 is placed on the platform area 58. As will be described later in greater detail, the jump coupling members 68 are designed to engage within depressions 70 formed along the inner wall 73 of the tip member 52. As such, when the tip member 52 slides on the arrow 54, the jump engaging members 68 are biased to engage the tip member 52 such that they come into contact with the depressions 70, at which time they expand within the depressions 70 securely coupling the tip member 52 to the arrow 54. With respect to the tip member 52, it is a substantially elongated member having a first end 74 and a second end 76 with a central opening 78 extending through of the same.

The tip member 52 includes an external surface 72 and an outer surface 80. The outer surface 72 is formed with a series of depressions 70 configured and dimensioned for engagement with the coupling members by jump 68 of the arrow 54. As such , and as described above, when the tip member 52 slides on the arrow 54, the jump engaging members 68 are first biased inward as the tip member 52 travels thereon. However, when coupling members by jump 68 are aligned with the depressions 70, the jump engaging members 68 extend outwardly into the depressions 70 securely engaging the tip member 52 to the distal end 56 of the arrow 54. The interface extended between the tip member 52 and the distal end 56 of the arrow 54 is achieved by providing the first end 74 of the tip member 52 with cutting sections configured and dimensioned to fit within the raised and reduced sections 62, 64 defined by the support members 60 in the distal end 56 of the arrow 54. Most particularly, the first end 74 of the tip member 52 is provided with a series of extension arms 82 configured and sized to fit between the support members 60 within the reduced sections 64 of the area of platform 58. In this manner, the first end 74 of tip member 52 fits within the alternating raised and reduced sections 62, 64 at the distal end 56 of the arrow 54 creating a mesh structure wedged between the two. This allows a substantial overlap between the tip member 52 and the arrow 54. This also allows ideal alignment of the tip member 52 and the arrow 54. In addition to providing a coupling structure, the geometry used in accordance with the present invention provides characteristics of resistance to greater torsion. The controlled insertion of the arrow 54 into the tip member 52 is facilitated by the interaction between the first end 74 of the tip member 52 and the support members 60 of the platform area 58.

As the tip member 52 is inserted over the distal end 56 of the arrow 54, the depressed sections 84 between the extension arms 82 of the tip member 52 come into contact with respective faces 86 of the support members 60 to limit the insertion of the tip member 52. The insertion of the tip member 52 onto the distal end 66 of the arrow 54 is further controlled by a section of reduced diameter along the internal surface 72 of the tip member 52. The section of reduced diameter defines an inwardly directed lip 88 which engages the distal tip 66 of the arrow 54 to control the insertion of the platform area 58 of the arrow 54 within the tip member 52. As such, the distal end 56 of the arrow 54 can only extend into the tip member 52 before the lip 88 contacts the distal end 56 of the arrow 54 and the arrow 54 can no longer be pushed. Further, the controlled location is achieved by the mating surfaces on the first end 74 of the tip member 52 which engages the raised and reduced sections to limit movement of the tip member 52 relative to the arrow 54. In addition to providing improved overlap between the tip member 52 and arrow 54, the extension arms 82 at the first end 74 of the tip member 52 are tapered downwardly as they extend away from the second end 76 of the tip member 52. In fact, the extension arms 82 they are tapered to a diameter substantially equivalent to that of the outer surface of the arrow member 54. The raised portions 62 of the arrow member 54 are similarly tapered upwardly so that they substantially correspond to the diameter along the outer surface of the shaft. tip member 54 at the point where the faces 86 of the support members 60 are adjacent the depressed sections 84 of the first end 74 of the tip member 52. In this way, a smoothly tapered surface is achieved at the wedge-in-wedge joint between the tip member 52 and the arrow 54. This also provides added strength and strength against torsional loads. Since the first end 74 of the tip member 52 extends to different lengths (ie, the first end 74 of the tip member 52 is provided with a series of extension arms 82) to fit within the raised and reduced sections 62 , 64 of the arrow member 54, the pressure created by the interaction between the seal members and the tip member 52 is substantially reduced. In particular, the seal member is not simultaneously confronted with the joint between the tip member 52 and the arrow 54, but rather is sequentially confronted with the various engaging connections formed along the interlacing joint between the tip member 52 and arrow 54. It is contemplated that there could be different numbers of raised and reduced sections without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, there could be as few as three sections or as many as ten to twelve sections. It is further contemplated that a sinusoidal joint could be used within the spirit of the present invention. This construction of the present trocar obturator tip eliminates the possibility of the seal member falling into the groove in the interlacing bond and delaying penetration or removal. Most particularly, the mating surfaces of the arrow 54 and the tip member 52 prevent the seal from being lodged between the arrow 54 and the tip member 52. This construction provides the seal with as little space as possible to adjust. Due to the tolerance, a line-to-line adjustment is not practical.

Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such description, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and to alternate constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims.

Claims (22)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A trocar obturator, comprising: an arrow having a proximal end and a distal end, the arrow also including an exterior surface; a tip member secured to the distal end of the arrow, the tip member including a first end and a second end, as well as an outer surface; wherein a coupling structure links the tip member to the arrow, and the arrow adjacent the tip member tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the tip member and the tip member adjacent to the arrow is tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the arrow.

2. The trocar obturator according to claim 1, further characterized in that at least a portion of the arrow adjacent the tip member includes at least one support member and the first end of the tip member is configured and sized to receive the support member when assembling the tip member on the distal end of the arrow, and the support member is substantially coextensive with the portion of the tip member adjacent to the arrow.

3. The trocar obturator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the distal end of the arrow includes a plurality of support members defining raised and reduced sections around the circumference of the arrow, and the support members are substantially coextensive with the portion of the tip member adjacent to the arrow.

4. The trocar obturator according to claim 3, further characterized in that the first end of the tip member includes extension arms configured and sized to be located with the respective reduced sections defined by the support members along the distal end of the arrow, and the extension members are substantially coextensive with the portion of the arrow adjacent the tip member.

5. The trocar obturator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the arrow includes a coupling member along the distal end thereof for engagement with the tip member.

6. The trocar obturator according to claim 5, further characterized in that the coupling member is a coupling member by deflected jump to settle within a depression formed along an internal surface of the tip member.

7. The trocar obturator according to claim 6, further characterized in that the arrow includes a plurality of deviating jump coupling members for seating within respective depressions formed along the internal surface of the tip member.

8. The trocar obturator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the tip member includes an internal surface in which the distal end of the arrow is mounted during assembly, and the inner surface includes a lip directed inwardly. which limits the movement of the tip member in relation to the arrow.

9. The trocar obturator according to claim 1, further characterized in that the distal end of the arrow includes at least one support member and the first end of the tip member is configured and sized to receive the support member at assemble the tip member on the distal end of the arrow.

10.- The trocar obturator in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that the tip member includes an internal surface on which the distal end of the arrow is mounted during assembly, and the inner surface includes an inwardly directed lip that limits movement of the tip member in relation to the arrow.

11.- The trocar obturator in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that the coupling structure is a wedged coupling structure.

12. A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar cannula including a proximal end and a distal end; and a trocar housing coupled to the proximal end of the trocar cannula for receiving and guiding a trocar obturator through the trocar cannula; the trocar obturator includes an arrow having a proximal end and a distal end, the arrow also includes an exterior surface; the trocar obturator also includes a tip member secured to the distal end of the shaft, the tip member including a first end and a second end, as well as an outer surface; and wherein a coupling structure links the tip member to the arrow, and the arrow adjacent the tip member tapers to a surface diameter substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the tip member and the tip member adjacent to the arrow A diameter of a surface substantially coextensive with the outer surface of the arrow is taut.

13. The trocar assembly according to claim 12, further characterized in that at least a portion of the arrow adjacent the tip member includes at least one support member and the first end of the tip member is configured and sized to receive the support member when the tip member is assembled on the distal end of the arrow, and the support member is substantially coextensive with the portion of the adjacent tip member of the arrow.

14. The trocar assembly according to claim 12, further characterized in that the distal end of the arrow includes a plurality of support members defining raised and reduced sections around the circumference of the arrow, and the support members are substantially coextensive with the portion of the tip member adjacent to the arrow.

15. The trocar assembly according to claim 14, further characterized in that the first end of the tip member includes extension arms configured and sized to be located with the respective reduced sections defined by the support members along the distal end. of the arrow, and the extension members are substantially coextensive with the portion of the arrow adjacent the tip member.

16. The trocar assembly according to claim 12, further characterized in that the arrow includes a coupling member along the distal end thereof for engagement with the tip member.

17.- The trocar assembly in accordance with the claim 16, further characterized in that the coupling member is a diverting coupling member biased to settle within a depression formed along an internal surface of the tip member.

18. The trocar assembly according to claim 17, further characterized in that the arrow includes a plurality of diverted coupling members biased to settle within respective depressions formed along the internal surface of the tip member.

19. The trocar assembly according to claim 12, further characterized in that the tip member includes a surface In which the distal end of the arrow is mounted during assembly, and the inner surface includes an inwardly directed lip which limits the movement of the tip member in relation to the arrow.

20. - The trocar assembly in accordance with the claim 12, further characterized in that the distal end of the arrow includes at least one support member and the first end of the tip member is configured and sized to receive the support member when the tip member is assembled on the distal end of the arrow .

21.- The trocar assembly in accordance with the claim 12, further characterized in that the tip member includes an inner surface on which the distal end of the arrow is mounted during assembly, and the inner surface includes an inwardly directed lip that limits movement of the tip member relative to the arrow.

22. The trocar assembly according to claim 12, further characterized in that the coupling structure is a wedged coupling structure.