Importance

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Abstract

A trocar assembly includes a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a piercing tip and at least one, preferably a plurality of longitudinal cutouts; and a shield for the piercing tip, mounted in the longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the shield being adapted to fit inside the longitudinal cutouts so as to shield the piercing tip when the shield is in the extended position, without exceeding the outer diameter of the trocar obturator. The trocar obturator may have a plurality of blades joined together to form the piercing tip, and the longitudinal cutouts may be formed between the blades. The shield preferably includes a plurality of independently acting shields mounted in the plurality of longitudinal cutouts, and further includes independent springs for independently biasing each shield of the plurality of shields toward the extended position wherein the piercing tip of the trocar obturator is shielded, and each shield being independently displaceable against the spring to a retracted position wherein the piercing tip of the trocar obturator is exposed.

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First Claim