Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a plurality of blades joined together and forming a piercing tip, and a plurality of longitudinal cutouts formed between said plurality of blades; a plurality of independently acting shield means for shielding said piercing tip, mounted in said plurality of longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position wherein said piercing tip is shielded, and a retracted position wherein said piercing tip is exposed, said plurality of shield means having a diameter substantially the same as said outer diameter of said trocar obturator; and means for independently biasing each of said plurality of shield means toward said extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a plurality of blades joined together and forming a piercing tip, and a plurality of longitudinal cutouts formed between said plurality of blades; a plurality of independently acting shield means for shielding said piercing tip, mounted in said plurality of longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position wherein said piercing tip is shielded, and a retracted position wherein said piercing tip is exposed, said plurality of shield means having a diameter substantially the same as said outer diameter of said trocar obturator; and means for independently biasing each of said plurality of shield means toward said extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of shield means is independently displaceable against said biasing means to said retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of shield means are like in number to said plurality of longitudinal cutouts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of shield means comprises a plurality of elongate rods each having a blunt end at an end corresponding to said piercing tip of said trocar obturator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of elongate rods is shaped as a section of a cylinder having a diameter no greater than said outer diameter of said trocar obturator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 5, wherein each said blunt end of said plurality of rods is sloped whereby entry of each of said plurality of rods into a wound formed by said trocar obturator is facilitated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
A trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a plurality of blades joined together and forming a piercing tip, and a plurality of longitudinal cutouts formed between said plurality of blades; a plurality of independently acting shield means for shielding said piercing tip, mounted in said plurality of longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position wherein said piercing tip is shielded, and a retracted position wherein said piercing tip is exposed, said plurality of shield means having a diameter substantially the same as said outer diameter of said trocar obturator; and means for independently locking each of said plurality of shield means in said extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
A trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a plurality of blades joined together and forming a piercing tip, and a plurality of longitudinal cutouts formed between said plurality of blades; a plurality of independently acting shield means for shielding said piercing tip, mounted in said plurality of longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position wherein said piercing tip is shielded, and a retracted position wherein said piercing tip is exposed, said plurality of shield means having a diameter substantially the same as said outer diameter of said trocar obturator; and means for independently locking each of said plurality of shield means in said extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a housing, said trocar obturator being mounted in said housing, said plurality of shield means being slidably disposed between said trocar obturator and said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 8, wherein said locking means is disposed in said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 9, wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of latch means for independently and releasably locking each of said shield means in said extended position to shield said piercing tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of latch means comprises a lever, pivotally mounted in said housing and having a first end having a projection in registry with a notch in a respective shield means when said respective shield means is in said extended position, and said lever having a second end protruding from said housing whereby said lever can be pivoted so as to release said shield means for displacement to said retracted position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar obturator having a piercing tip and a plurality of longitudinal cutouts; a trocar tube in which said trocar obturator is housed; a plurality of means for shielding said piercing tip mounted in said longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and means for independently biasing each of said plurality of shield means toward said extended position wherein said piercing tip of said trocar obturator is shielded, each of said plurality of shield means being independently displaceable against said biasing means to said retracted position wherein said piercing tip of said trocar obturator is exposed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar obturator having a piercing tip and a plurality of longitudinal cutouts; a trocar tube in which said trocar obturator is housed; a plurality of means for shielding said piercing tip mounted in said longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and means for independently biasing each of said plurality of shield means toward said extended position wherein said piercing tip of said trocar obturator is shielded, each of said plurality of shield means being independently displaceable against said biasing means to said retracted position wherein said piercing tip of said trocar obturator is exposed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 12, further comprising: a tube housing in which said trocar tube is mounted; and valve means slidably disposed in said tube housing between a closed position wherein said trocar tube is sealed and an open position wherein said trocar obturator is inserted through said tube housing and said trocar tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 13, wherein said valve means comprises a piston mounted for displacement in said tube housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 14, further comprising means for biasing said piston toward a closed position, and wherein said piston has an angular face on a side facing an opening of said tube housing so that, when said trocar obturator is inserted into said tube housing, and contacts said angular face, said piston is displaced toward an open position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 15, wherein said angular face forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of said trocar tube, said angle being approximately 45 degrees.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a sealing collar disposed in said tube housing and interacting with said piston to provide a seal when said piston is in said closed position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 17, wherein said piston has an angled side facing said sealing collar and tapering away from said sealing collar whereby, when said piston is in said closed position, said sealing collar sealingly engages said angled side, and when said piston is opened, said sealing collar disengages from said angled side.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 18, further comprising guide means, disposed within said tube housing, said guide means serving to guide said trocar obturator into said trocar tube so as to prevent misalignment of said trocar obturator due to contact with said angular face of said piston.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A trocar assembly according to claim 12, further comprising means for clipping said trocar tube in place in a wall of a body cavity when said trocar assembly is in use, said clipping means comprising a boot, removably disposed on said trocar tube and having a plurality of clips for releasable attachment to a wall of a body cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a piercing tip and at least one longitudinal cutout; a trocar tube in which said trocar obturator is housed; means for shielding said piercing tip, mounted in said at least one longitudinal cutout so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said shield means being adapted to fit inside said at least one longitudinal cutout so as to shield said piercing tip when said shield means is in said extended position without exceeding said outer diameter of said trocar obturator; and means for clipping said trocar tube in place in a wall of a body cavity when said trocar assembly is in use, said clipping means comprising a boot, removably disposed on said trocar tube and having a plurality of clips for releasable attachment to a wall of a body cavity.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
147 words
A trocar assembly, comprising: a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a piercing tip and at least one longitudinal cutout; a trocar tube in which said trocar obturator is housed; means for shielding said piercing tip, mounted in said at least one longitudinal cutout so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said shield means being adapted to fit inside said at least one longitudinal cutout so as to shield said piercing tip when said shield means is in said extended position without exceeding said outer diameter of said trocar obturator; and means for clipping said trocar tube in place in a wall of a body cavity when said trocar assembly is in use, said clipping means comprising a boot, removably disposed on said trocar tube and having a plurality of clips for releasable attachment to a wall of a body cavity.