PATENT PENDING
20040230155

ABSTRACT
A surgical device and method for endoscopic surgical procedures capable of preventing injuries to internal organs during insertion. The surgical device can include one or more of the following: a multiple system of sharp blade edges or a single blade, a mechanical tissue protection device that includes a series of thin plastic guards sliding along the sides of the planar knives and having an angle between their edges smaller than that of the cutting knife edges, one or more fixed conical deflectors to expand the cut tissue passage leaving the guards to contact tissue contact only at their tips, an insufflation passage configured to transport fluid into the body cavity during penetration, a locking system for the guards that prevents accidental reuse of the cutting features, and/or an ergonomic design which facilitates handling.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
An insufflator is a needle-like device through which a gas or other fluid can be injected into a space or potential space somewhere within the body.  The device and method of use is not limited to to use in humans. Such needles are currently often used for creating a pneumo-peritoneum prior to insertion of a Trocar, for amniocentesis, spinal taps and other similar uses.  Existing insufflator needles used for endoscopic surgical procedures are incapable of truly effective prevention of injuries to internal organs during insertion and manipulation of the device.  Present procedures frequently injure internal organs and the resulting wounds are sometimes serious or even fatal.  The need for safer insufflator needles is thus imperative, especially given that endoscopic surgical procedures are likely to become more widespread in the future.  Accordingly this invention is to ensure that serious and fatal injuries are avoided through a surgical device in which a penetrating tip or cutting edge of the instrument is kept at all times sufficiently distant from delicate tissues.