Trocar packaging clip

Abstract

A packaging device for a trocar assembly includes a trocar packaging clip having at least two holding structures configured to be detachably secured to the proximal portions of the trocar obturator and the cannula for retention of the trocar obturator and cannula relative to each other. The trocar packaging clip includes an anti-rotation structure configured to engage at least one of the trocar and the cannula to prevent relative rotation thereof.

Claims

1. A surgical kit comprising: a trocar obturator; a cannula having a stopcock lever; and a packaging clip including: a base defining a plane; a first retaining portion detachably securing the trocar obturator to the first retaining portion, the first retaining portion attached to the base and defining a first axis; a second retaining portion detachably securing the cannula to the second retaining portion, the second retaining portion attached to the base and defining a second axis parallel to the first axis; and a finger extending from the base along a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, the finger having opposed protrusions defining a notch to receive a portion of the stopcock lever of the cannula to inhibit rotation of the stopcock lever about an axis orthogonal to the third axis, the finger and the protrusions lying in the plane of the base.

2. The surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second retaining portions are laterally spaced apart.

3. The surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging clip is formed of a compliant material.

4. The surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein first and second retaining portions are integrally formed.

5. The surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein the first or second retaining portion defines an arcuate slot configured to secure a corresponding proximal portion of the trocar obturator or the cannula to the arcuate slot.

6. The surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein the first retaining portion defines a first diameter and the second retaining portion defines a second diameter different from the first diameter.

7. The surgical kit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging clip further includes guards diametrically opposing the first retaining portion.

8. The surgical kit according to claim 7, wherein the guards are configured to engage a latch feature of the trocar obturator.

9. A surgical kit comprising: a trocar obturator; a cannula having a stopcock lever; and a packaging clip including: a first retaining portion detachably securing the trocar obturator to the first retaining portion, the first retaining portion defining a first axis; a second retaining portion detachably securing the cannula to the second retaining portion, the second retaining portion defining a second axis parallel to the first axis; guards diametrically opposing the first retaining portion, the guards configured to engage a latch feature of the trocar obturator; and a finger extending along a third axis parallel to the first and second axes, the finger defining a notch to receive a portion of the stopcock lever of the cannula to inhibit rotation of the stopcock lever about an axis orthogonal to the third axis.

10. The surgical kit according to claim 9, wherein the first and second retaining portions are laterally spaced apart.

11. The surgical kit according to claim 9, wherein the packaging clip is formed of a compliant material.

12. The surgical kit according to claim 9, wherein first and second retaining portions are integrally formed.

13. The surgical kit according to claim 9, wherein the first or second retaining portion defines an arcuate slot configured to secure a corresponding proximal portion of the trocar obturator or the cannula to the arcuate slot.

14. The surgical kit according to claim 9, wherein the first retaining portion defines a first diameter and the second retaining portion defines a second diameter different from the first diameter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various features of the present invention will become more readily apparent and will be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of the present invention, which are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional trocar cannula and obturator when assembled together in accordance with the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cannula assembly and the obturator assembly of FIG. 1 when separated;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a trocar packaging clip, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear view of the trocar packaging clip of FIG. 3 having a trocar cannula and trocar obturator attached thereto;

(6) FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the trocar packaging clip of FIG. 3 having a trocar cannula and trocar obturator attached thereto;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of the trocar packaging clip of FIG. 3 having a trocar cannula and trocar obturator attached thereto;

(8) FIG. 7 is perspective front view of a trocar packaging clip, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a front view of the trocar packaging clip of FIG. 7 having a trocar cannula and trocar obturator attached thereto;

(10) FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the trocar packaging clip of FIG. 7 having a trocar cannula and trocar obturator attached thereto; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a trocar packaging clip having three holding structures, one for a trocar obturator and two for trocar cannulas, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The detailed description of the present invention is disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The detailed disclosure herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or used the invention.

(13) With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, there is disclosed, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a packaging clip 10 for trocar assembly components, such as a trocar cannula 30 and a trocar obturator 32 of a trocar assembly 34.

(14) The trocar packaging clip 10, in accordance with various embodiments, is particularly well-suited for use in conjunction with trocar assemblies of various sizes, including conventional trocar sizes such as 5 mm to 15 mm diameters and therebetween. The packaging clip 10 may be molded from a compliant material, for example, elastomer or plastic. While the present packaging device is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment as being constructed from a particular material, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the packaging device may be manufactured from a variety of similar materials without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(15) The packaging clip 10, according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, includes two holding structures 12a and 12b that are located apart from each other on the packaging clip 10 in a manner to secure the proximal portions of the trocar obturator 32 and the trocar cannula 30, respectively. The holding structures 12a and 12b can be formed integrally with the packaging clip 10, or may be affixed to the packaging clip 10 separately after the packaging clip 10 is formed. The holding structures 12a and 12b may define gaps into which the trocar obturator 32 and/or the trocar cannula 30 can be pressed. The holding structures 12a and 12b retain the trocar cannula 30 and trocar obturator 32 fixed relative to each other after they inserted in the holding structures 12a and 12b. Because the trocar cannula 30 is typically slightly larger in diameter that the trocar obturator 32 that passes therethrough, the holding structures 12a and 12b may have different diameters. In the present embodiment of the packaging clip 10 the holding structure 12a, for accommodating the trocar obturator 32, may be slightly smaller than the holding structure 12b, for accommodating the trocar cannula 30.

(16) In various embodiments of the present invention, the holding structures 12a and 12b may define a c-shape (as shown) or may define other shapes, such as squares, triangles, or any other shape that is formed by the outer surface of the trocar obturator 32 or trocar cannula 30. In another embodiment, the holding structures 12a and 12b may be circular in shape and may be attached or affixed to the packaging clip 10 without defining an opening or gap. The trocar obturator 32 and the trocar cannula 30 in this embodiment may be inserted in holding structures 12a and 12b of the packaging clip 10 from the top. In another embodiment, the holding structures 12a and 12b may be devoid of an opening, but when the trocar cannula 30 and trocar obturator 32 are pressed against it, a prearranged part of the holding structure 12a or 12b is detached or removed, creating an opening, in order to facilitate the entrance of such devices and to secure the positioning of such devices in the holding structures 12a and 12b.

(17) In another embodiment, shown for example in FIG. 10, the packaging clip 10 may have more than two holding structures, 12a, 12b, 12c, to hold an obturator and two cannulas, for example. Other combinations are possible to accommodate different numbers and combinations of devices.

(18) In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the packaging clip 10 further includes a finger 15 for preventing the trocar cannula 30 from substantially rotating. The finger 15 includes a notch 17, defined by notch sides 17a and 17b, that the stopcock lever 23 of the trocar cannula 30 is positioned in. This notch 17 of the finger 15 prevents the rotation of the stopcock lever 23 so that the device is presented to a surgeon ready to use with a valve in a predetermined position, e.g., open or closed. This arrangement of the finger 15, having the notch 17 positioned as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, is particularly well-suited for trocar cannula arrangements in which the stopcock valve lever 23 is configured to rotate about an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trocar cannula 30.

(19) FIGS. 7 to 9 show another embodiment of the packaging clip 10 where the finger 15a, for example, may extend proximally and then perpendicularly over the stopcock lever 23 of the trocar cannula to prevent inadvertent rotation of the stopcock lever 23. This arrangement of the finger 15a, extending proximally and then perpendicularly over the stopcock lever 23 of the trocar cannula, is particularly well-suited for trocar cannula arrangements in which the stopcock valve lever 23 is configured to rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the trocar cannula 30. Like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, this arrangement protects the sterile barrier of the packaging from the stopcock lever 23, as well as ensures that a surgeon is presented with the device in a configuration that is ready to use.

(20) Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 6, the packaging clip 10 may also include two guards 19a and 19b that may be vertical and that are affixed to the packaging clip 10 nearby the outer perimeter of the trocar obturator 32 for protecting a latch feature (not shown) of the trocar obturator 32. The guards 19a and 19b may be located on the same side of the packaging clip 10 as the holding structures 12a and 12b are located. The guards 19a and 19b can be formed, e.g., molded integrally, with the packaging clip 10, or may be affixed to the packaging clip 10 separately after the packaging clip 10 is formed.

(21) In an embodiment, the packaging clip 10 may be yellow in color, since yellow is typically known to indicate a disposable, e.g., non-operational, component to the operating personnel. Other colors may also be used.

(22) An advantage of the present invention over the prior art is that the packaging clip prevents damage of the sterile barrier by preventing rotation of the components of the trocar assembly during shipping, transportation and storage. Moreover, the packaging clip is easy to use for surgeons and not expensive to manufacture.

(23) While the invention has been described in detail herein in accordance with certain preferred embodiments thereof many modifications and changes therein may be effected by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.