Optical trocar

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical obturator which includes a sleeve having a longitudinal bore between a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal bore of the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope or like image transferring system. An image passing member, such as an optical window is positioned at the distal end of the sleeve and is provided to permit optical images to pass into the longitudinal bore of the sleeve and to permit illumination light to pass to the surgical site. An automatically retracting blade is positioned distal to the image passing member to facilitate penetration of body tissue.

1 . A trocar, comprising: 
 a cannula;    an obturator configured for insertion into said cannula, said obturator having a proximal end, and a distal end;    a member at said distal end of said obturator, said member having a recess;    a cutting blade for penetrating body tissue positioned at said distal end of said obturator, said cutting blade being movable between a non-deployed position, in which said blade is disposed in said recess, and a deployed position, in which said blade is extended from said recess; and    an actuator operatively connected to said cutting blade, said actuator selectively movable to move the cutting blade between the non-deployed position and the deployed position.    
     
     
         2 . The trocar of  claim 1 , wherein said blade is spring biased to the non-deployed position.  
     
     
         3 . The trocar of  claim 1 , wherein said obturator comprises a sleeve having a longitudinal bore.  
     
     
         4 . The trocar of  claim 3 , wherein said longitudinal bore is configured to receive an endoscope.  
     
     
         5 . The trocar of  claim 1 , further comprising a blade drive member connected to said blade and said actuator.  
     
     
         6 . The trocar of  claim 5 , wherein said blade drive member has a camming surface which engages said blade drive member and moves said blade drive member in response to movement of said trigger member.  
     
     
         7 . The trocar of  claim 5 , wherein the actuating mechanism includes a trigger.  
     
     
         8 . The trocar of  claim 7 , wherein the trigger has a camming surface arranged to engage the blade drive member.  
     
     
         9 . The trocar of  claim 8 , wherein actuation of the trigger in the proximal direction moves the blade drive member distally.  
     
     
         10 . The trocar of  claim 9 , wherein further actuation of the trigger disengages the trigger from the blade drive member.  
     
     
         11 . The trocar of  claim 10 , wherein the blade is biased in the proximal direction so that when the trigger is disengaged from the blade drive member, the blade moves to the non-deployed position.  
     
     
         12 . The trocar of  claim 11 , further comprising a lever associated with the trigger and a lever bushing associated with the blade drive member so that actuation of the trigger in the proximal direction moves the lever, moving the blade drive member distally and wherein further actuation of the trigger disengages the lever from the lever bushing.