Insertion devices
Inventors
Grabinsky, Jessica Marie • Barnes, Jeffrey Louis • Krasniak, Carolyn Marie • Murray, Timothy Matthew • Falco, Kevin Michael • Torres, Francheska
Assignees
Smith and Nephew Orthopaedics AG • Smith and Nephew Asia Pacific Pte Ltd • Smith and Nephew Inc
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Publication Number
US-12408945-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cannula for passing surgical instruments through tissue. In some instances, the cannula may include a distal flange flexible between a radial configuration and a longitudinal configuration. In some instances, the cannula may also include an actuator configured to move the distal flange between the radial configuration and the longitudinal configuration. In some instances, the cannula may include a valve disposed within the lumen of the cannula, and a cap configured to secure the valve to the cannula. The valve may include a body member having a base and first and second opposing walls extending from the base. In some instances, the valve has an arcuate cutout in the lower surface configured to fit around an instrument shaft inserted therethrough. In some instance, the cannula includes a slit extending an entire length of the cannular to permit an instrument shaft to be inserted and/or removed laterally.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a cannula for passing surgical instruments through tissue. The cannula includes an elongated cylindrical body with a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end and a proximal end, a distal flange extending radially outward from the distal end, and a valve disposed within the lumen adjacent the proximal end. A cap is configured to be disposed over the proximal end to secure the valve to the elongated body.
The cannula further includes circumferential ribs disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body. A nut extends around a circumference of the elongated body and is axially slidable along the elongated body, and the nut selectively engages the circumferential ribs to retain a position. In one configuration, the cap engages the valve to create a non-compressive seal between the valve and the cap.
The non-compressive seal is created between complementary first and second mating geometries on the valve and cap, and in additional configurations the sealing is formed by the interaction of ridges and a channel, where at least one ridge on the valve is received within a channel on the cap when the cap engages the valve. The nut is configured to move between a first position in which the nut is disengaged from the circumferential ribs and can slide axially, and a second position in which the nut engages the circumferential ribs, with discontinuous circumferential ribs including at least one aligned gap, at least one inwardly extending rigid projection on the nut, and stops adjacent each gap to limit rotation of the projection.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims directed to a cannula for passing surgical instruments through tissue. Collectively, the claims define an elongated cylindrical cannula body with a distal flange, a proximal valve secured by a cap, and a nut/circumferential-rib arrangement for position retention and controlled axial movement.
Non-compressive valve-to-cap sealing via complementary mating geometry
A cap configured to secure a valve disposed within the lumen adjacent the proximal end, where the cap engages the valve to create a non-compressive seal between the valve and the cap, the seal being created between a first mating geometry of the valve and a second mating geometry of the cap.
Ridge-in-channel non-compressive seal geometry
A non-compressive seal in which the first mating geometry of the valve includes at least one ridge and the second mating geometry of the cap includes at least two ridges separated by a channel, with the at least one ridge received within the channel when the cap engages the valve.
Axially slidable nut selectively engaging circumferential ribs to retain position
A nut extending around a circumference of the elongated body and axially slidable along the elongate body, where the nut selectively engages circumferential ribs disposed on an outer surface of the elongated body to retain a position thereof.
Cap flexibility relative to cannula body and valve
A cap disposed over the proximal end that is more flexible than the elongated body and the valve.
Controlled axial sliding by disengaged and engaged nut positions using inward rigid projection and aligned gaps
A nut configured to selectively engage circumferential ribs and move between a first position disengaged from the circumferential ribs to allow axial sliding and a second position engaged with the circumferential ribs to prevent axial movement, with discontinuous circumferential ribs including at least one gap aligned longitudinally and an inwardly extending rigid projection on the nut that enables sliding when aligned with the gaps and prevents sliding when not aligned.
Rotation-limited inward rigid projection using stops adjacent gaps
Stops disposed adjacent each gap, the stops configured to limit rotation of the projection.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a cannula having a distal flange and a proximal valve secured by a cap, coupled with an axially slidable nut that interfaces with circumferential ribs to retain position. Further differentiation includes a non-compressive valve-to-cap seal created by complementary mating geometries, including ridge/channel reception, a relative flexibility relationship of the cap to the elongated body and valve, and a controlled nut sliding mechanism using discontinuous ribs with aligned gaps, an inward rigid projection, and rotation-limiting stops.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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