Ethicon, Gmbh

Richard S Smith

Kevin L Houser

Richard F Schwemberger

Pamela K Jacobs

Charles A Hansford

A trocar and trocar obturator assembly having an obturator and a locking mechanism responsive to proximal, axial movement of the trocar obturator is disclosed. The trocar obturator has an elongated obturator shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a piercing tip mounted thereto. The proximal end of the trocar obturator shaft is slidably mounted in a handle such that the obturator shaft is moveable axially. A protective safety shield having a distal end and a proximal end with a flange member mounted to the proximal end is slidably mounted on the trocar obturator. The safety shield is moveable, axially, between an extended distal position and a retracted proximal position. The protective safety shield is disposed concentrically about the obturator. A lockout arm for locking the safety shield in a locked extended position is mounted in the trocar obturator handle. An actuating collar member is mounted to the proximal end of the obturator shaft in the obturator handle and is moveable with the obturator shaft. The obturator collar disengages the locking arm when moved proximally and engages the locking arm when trocar is armed. The trocar obturator assembly may be concentrically mounted in a trocar cannula having a passageway for receiving the trocar obturator and safety shield. The locking mechanism is actuated by proximal, axial motion of the obturator.

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Loveland, OH, United States of America

Richard S Smith