Cannulated t-handle driver and double latch cannula obturator

Inventors

Anderson, Sharon

Assignees

Conmed Corp

Abstract

An obturator assembly with a rotatable and cannulated obturator shaft for inserting a cannula into a human joint space. The obturator assemblies includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end with a channel extending along an inner surface of the elongated body. The obturator assembly also includes a locking mechanism connected within the elongated body. The locking mechanism is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration. A cannulated obturator shaft is attached to the locking mechanism and is rotatable between the first configuration and the second configuration via the locking mechanism. The obturator assembly has a latch assembly connected to the cannulated obturator shaft which is rotatable between the first configuration and second configuration via the locking mechanism. The latch assembly securely and removably attaches to a cannula.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an obturator assembly for orthopedic cannula placement that includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, with a channel extending along an inner surface within the elongated body. A locking mechanism is connected within the elongated body and is rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration, and a cannulated obturator shaft is removably attached or fixed to the locking mechanism and is rotatable between the first configuration and the second configuration, where the second configuration is orthogonal to the first configuration.

The obturator assembly further includes a latch assembly configured to removably couple and lock a cannula around the cannulated obturator. The latch assembly comprises a latch connected to the cannulated obturator shaft and a latch sheath with an open end and a latch sheath channel extending therethrough, where the latch sheath channel is configured to receive the cannulated obturator shaft.

The locking mechanism and geometry include a cannulated hub integrated within the elongated body and rotatably connected in a recess, with the hub including driver geometry and a mating driver geometry on the cannulated obturator shaft. The inner surface of the elongated body provides relief areas, slots, and channels to accommodate passage of a guide pin and to enable movement between the orthogonal configurations.

The assembly is described as enabling rotation and locking that moves with the cannulated obturator shaft, rather than using a fixed latch, and is further described as improving torque, grip, and positioning in wet conditions.

Claims Coverage

The patent includes two independent claims that define an obturator assembly having an elongated body with an internal channel, an internal locking mechanism with a cannulated hub, and a cannulated obturator shaft rotatable between a first configuration and a second configuration that is orthogonal to the first. Across the independent claims, inventive features concentrate on the orthogonal rotational coupling between the locking mechanism and cannulated obturator shaft and a latch assembly that removably couples and locks a cannula while moving with the shaft.

Collectively, the independent claims require a cannulated obturator shaft that is driven by an internal locking mechanism between orthogonal configurations and a latch assembly that removably couples and locks a cannula around the shaft while moving from the first configuration to the orthogonal second configuration.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications