Trocar assembly with improved latch

Abstract

Abstract A trocar assembly (10) comprising an elongate trocar obturator (22) having a piercing tip (24) at its front end, an elongate trocar tube (56) in which the obturator (22) is housed, and a tubular protective shield (26) mounted concentrically around the obturator (22) between a normally extended position in which the obturator tip (24) is covered and a retracted position in which the obturator tip (24) is exposed. Further included is a spring (28) acting on the protective shield (26), whereby the shield is forced to the retracted position to expose the piercing tip (24) when the trocar (10) is being inserted through the wall of a body cavity and is biased by the spring (28) to the extended position to shield the piercing tip (24) once the trocar has pierced the wall. A protrusion (26a) extends radially from the shield (26). A leaf spring element (44) has one end anchored relative to the obturator (22) and a second end (44b) biased to contact the protrusion (26a) in a manner preventing movement of the shield (26) from the extended position toward the retracted position when the element (44) is in contact with the protrusion (26a).

Inventors

• 👤 William A. Holmes
• 👤 Peter F. Costa

Bibliographic Details