| abstract |
A safety shielded, reusable trocar consisting of a trocar cannula subassembly, a safety shield control mechanism, and a separate obturator subassembly. The trocar cannula subassembly includes an outer cannula attached to a main housing having a central bore in which a spring biased, inner cannula is slidably and removably inserted, and an upper housing, removably secured to the main housing, having a central bore which is aligned longitudinally with the bore of the main housing and in which sealing means is removably secured. The obturator subassembly includes an elongated obturator having a replaceable and rotatable knife, an elongated shaft, an arcuate shaped cap, and which extends through the upper housing, sealing means, main housing, inner cannula, and outer cannula. The safety shield control mechanism, located in the main housing and removably engaged with the inner cannula, allows for positive and easily verifiable engagement and disengagement of the inner cannula as a safety shield for the obturator knife. When the trocar cannula subassembly and safety shield control mechanism are coupled proper operation of the safety shield can be verified without the obturator subassembly being inserted in the inner cannula. In operation, the obturator subassembly, upper housing, and sealing means can be completely removed from the trocar assembly to allow unobstructed access through the inner cannula to the patient's internal cavity for removal of specimens or insertion of equipment. After use, the entire trocar assembly can be easily disassembled for cleaning, sterilization, and reuse. |