阅读说明：本技术 与真皮固定装置分离的可移除的长度可调节的卡入式入口保护器 (Removable length adjustable snap-in inlet protector separate from dermal fixture ) 是由 本杰明·威拉德 埃里克·斯图克贾尔 于 2019-10-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种入口保护器组件,其具有可移除地附接至长度可调节的入口保护器的真皮固定装置。所述入口保护器组件包括：管状主体,所述管状主体具有带螺纹的刚性近端；以及近侧调节主体,所述近侧调节主体具有外脊和带螺纹的内孔。所述管状主体的刚性近端上的螺纹被配置成与所述近侧调节主体的内孔上的螺纹配合。所述入口保护器组件还包括真皮固定装置,所述真皮固定装置具有中心孔和围绕所述中心孔的锁定机构。所述近侧调节主体的外脊通过所述锁定机构可移除地附接在所述中心孔内。(An inlet protector assembly having a dermal fixation device removably attached to a length-adjustable inlet protector. The inlet protector assembly includes: a tubular body having a threaded rigid proximal end; and a proximal adjustment body having an external ridge and a threaded internal bore. The threads on the rigid proximal end of the tubular body are configured to mate with the threads on the inner bore of the proximal adjustment body. The inlet protector assembly further includes a dermal fixation device having a central aperture and a locking mechanism surrounding the central aperture. An outer ridge of the proximal adjustment body is removably attached within the central bore by the locking mechanism.)

1. An inlet protector device comprising:

a tubular body having a flattened section between two circular sections and having a threaded rigid proximal end;

a proximal adjustment body having a threaded inner bore;

wherein the threads on the rigid proximal end of the tubular body are configured to mate with the threads on the inner bore of the proximal adjustment body;

wherein in a first configuration, the flattened segment is a first distance from the proximal adjustment body;

wherein in a second configuration, the flattened section is a second distance from the proximal adjustment body.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment wheel extending radially from the proximal adjustment body.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment wheel is rotatable in a first direction and an opposite second direction.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein rotating the adjustment wheel in the first direction moves the flattened section away from the proximal adjustment body.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein rotating the adjustment wheel in the second direction moves the flattened section toward the proximal adjustment body.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second distance is different from the first distance.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

8. An inlet protector assembly comprising:

a tubular body having a threaded rigid proximal end;

a proximal adjustment body having an external ridge and a threaded internal bore;

wherein the threads on the rigid proximal end of the tubular body are configured to mate with the threads on the inner bore of the proximal adjustment body;

a dermal fixation device having a central aperture and a locking mechanism surrounding the central aperture;

wherein the outer ridge of the proximal adjustment body is removably attached within the central bore by the locking mechanism.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is a spring clip.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the spring clip comprises a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms being movable toward and away from each other.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the spring clip includes an exposed portion external to the dermal fixation device and an unexposed portion internal to the dermal fixation device.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the exposed portion is movable toward the dermal fixture.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein pressing the exposed portion toward the dermal fixation device opens the spring clip.

14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular body comprises a flattened section between two circular sections.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein in the first configuration, the flattened segment is a first distance from the proximal adjustment body.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein in a second configuration, the flattened section is a second distance from the proximal adjustment body.

17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising an adjustment wheel extending radially from the proximal adjustment body, wherein the adjustment wheel is rotatable in a first direction and an opposite second direction.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein rotating the adjustment wheel in the first direction moves the flattened section away from the proximal adjustment body and rotating the adjustment wheel in the opposite second direction moves the flattened section toward the proximal adjustment body.

19. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising one or more flaps extending distally from the dermal fixation device.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein in the first configuration, the flaps extend along a length of the tubular body.

21. The assembly of claim 19, wherein in the second configuration, the flaps extend at an angle relative to a length of the tubular body.

22. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the tubular body is comprised of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second distance is different from the first distance.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

1.Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an inlet protector device, and more particularly to an inlet protector assembly having a dermal fixture removably attached to a length adjustable inlet protector.

2.Description of the related Art

To maintain arthroscopic intra-articular hip access, a series of access tools (switching rods, slotted cannulas, disposable cannulas, etc.) are traditionally used to insert and remove instruments that perform work on the patient. The use of access tools accounts for a significant percentage of the time a surgeon spends in a procedure. During the time the access tool is used, the surgeon does not perform any actual work on the patient's lesion.

A common access tool in the field of arthroscopic surgery is a "cannula". The cannula is used to maintain an open portal extending from outside the patient's body to the location within the patient's body where an arthroscopic procedure is to be performed. It is important that the cannula remain in the body to maintain the pathway without falling out, migrating outward or migrating inward. Today, this can be accomplished in a number of ways, the most common being the placement of an invasive thread on the outside of the cannula to drill it into the dermis layer and the tissue below it. This may require making a larger incision to receive such helical threads, resulting in a correspondingly sized scar.

Most current cannulas use mechanical threads on the outside of the tubular body of the cannula itself. Some of these cannulae have a stiff tubular body or a less rigid body with little radial movement. While some current cannulas are relatively flexible, they are still not flexible enough to accommodate a variety of instruments. Conventional cannulas also have a fluid seal on the proximal end to prevent leakage of fluid from the surgical site. Some cannulas also include indicators along the tubular body for customizing the size of the tubular body. These cannulas are often screwed together with the obturator.

Some cannulas alternatively or additionally have barbs, and these cannulas can be inserted directly into the surgical site while benefiting from slight oscillating rotation during advancement into the body. The cannula still uses a collapsed accordion-like member that can be stretched to reduce its diameter and compressed to increase its diameter. However, none of these conventional cannulas provide a large displacement of the rigid body under the dermis allowing insertion and subsequent removal through a small incision. In addition, none of these conventional cannulas provide a small incision size or minimize trauma to the area surrounding the incision site. Further, none of the conventional cannulas provide a large range of motion and freedom.

In conventional cannula insertion procedures, dermal fixation and insertion of dermal fixation devices is typically accompanied by large brute and twisting movements while attempting to drive the dermal fixation structure through and into the patient. If the inlet protector is attached to the dermal fixation device when this is done, the distal end of the inlet protector itself may move around in a manner that may pose a risk to structures deep within the patient's body. Also, during surgery, it may be necessary to remove the access protector, such as to trim it to a shorter working length. Alternatively, it may be necessary to replace the inlet protector with a longer inlet protector.

Accordingly, there is a need for an inlet protector assembly having a dermal fixation device that is removably attached to a length adjustable inlet protector.

Description of disclaimers in the related art section: to the extent that specific patents/publications/products are discussed above in the related art section or elsewhere in this disclosure, such discussion is not to be taken as an admission that the discussed patents/publications/products are prior art for patent law purposes. For example, some or all of the discussed patents/publications/products may not be sufficiently early in time, may not reflect subject matter that has developed sufficiently early in time, and/or may not be sufficient to implement prior art techniques equivalent to the objectives of the patent laws. To the extent that the specific patents/publications/products described above in the related art section and/or discussed throughout the application, the descriptions/publications thereof are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an inlet protector assembly having a dermal fixation device removably attached to a length adjustable inlet protector. According to one aspect, the present invention is an inlet protector device. The inlet protector device includes a tubular body having a flattened section between two circular sections and having a threaded rigid proximal end. The device also includes a proximal adjustment body having a threaded inner bore. The threads on the rigid proximal end of the tubular body are configured to mate with the threads on the inner bore of the proximal adjustment body. In a first configuration, the flattened section is a first distance from the proximal adjustment body. In a second configuration, the flattened section is a second distance from the proximal adjustment body, and the second distance is less than the first distance.

According to another aspect, the present invention is an inlet protector assembly. The inlet protector assembly includes: a tubular body having a threaded rigid proximal end; and a proximal adjustment body having an external ridge and a threaded internal bore. The threads on the rigid proximal end of the tubular body are configured to mate with the threads on the inner bore of the proximal adjustment body. The inlet protector assembly further includes a dermal fixation device having a central aperture and a locking mechanism surrounding the central aperture. An outer ridge of the proximal adjustment body is removably attached within the central bore by the locking mechanism.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

One or more aspects of the present invention are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary inlet protector assembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an inlet protector assembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of an inlet protector assembly according to an embodiment;

fig. 4 is a detailed side cross-sectional schematic view of a proximal dermal fixation device of an inlet protector assembly according to an embodiment;

fig. 5 is a schematic top perspective view of an inlet protector assembly in a first configuration, according to an embodiment;

fig. 6 is a schematic top perspective view of an inlet protector assembly in a second configuration, according to an embodiment;

fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an inlet protector assembly in a second configuration, according to an embodiment;

fig. 8 is another perspective schematic view of an inlet protector assembly in a second configuration, in accordance with an embodiment;

fig. 9 is a top perspective view of a proximal dermal fixation device of an inlet protector assembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a test of an inlet protector assembly in an extended position, according to an embodiment; and

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of testing of an inlet protector assembly in a retracted position, according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the invention and certain features, advantages and details thereof are explained more fully hereinafter with reference to the non-limiting examples that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known structures are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific non-limiting examples, while indicating aspects of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or arrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the basic inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary inlet protector assembly 200. Generally, the access protector and obturator assembly 200 maintains a path from outside the body (e.g., skin) to the surgical site (e.g., joint), which allows the surgeon to move the instrument from one access to another in two steps or motions (as opposed to 9 steps or motions of conventional devices). The inlet protector and obturator assembly 200 generally includes a proximal handpiece 202 configured to be removably attached to an inlet protector assembly 204. The inlet protector assembly 204 includes a distal tubular (or hollow) body 206 extending from a proximal true fixture 208. It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to allow the proximal dermal fixation device 208 shown in fig. 1 to be detached from the tubular body 206 while providing a mechanism for adjusting the length of the tubular body 206.

The tubular body 206 is preferably flexible. It may be composed of thermoplastic polyurethane (hereinafter referred to as "TPU"). TPUs are thermoplastic elastomers comprising block copolymers. Specifically, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the TPU comprises linearly alternating hard and soft segments. The hard segments are composed of diisocyanates and short chain diols (i.e., "chain extenders") making them short, highly polar segments. The soft segment is composed of a diisocyanate and a long-chain diol so that it becomes a long low-polarity segment.

The stiffness of the TPU can be fine tuned by increasing or decreasing the ratio of hard segments to soft segments. TPU has high mechanical properties, high heat resistance, high mineral oil resistance, high hydrolysis resistance, high low temperature flexibility, high resistance to microbial degradation and high elasticity throughout the hardness range. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of the present disclosure that the TPU has a hardness of 30 shore a to 60 shore D under standard atmospheric conditions. An example of a TPU isAnother example of a TPU is the Isothane grade 5090A manufactured by Greco.

The use of TPU as a component of the tubular body 206 has many advantages. In embodiments, the tubular body 206 is formed via extrusion and is an extruded TPU composition that can retain its shape after being manipulated. It is more flexible and thinner than conventional cannulas and can be moved into various twisted and knotted configurations. The flexibility and resiliency of the tubular body 206 provides the surgeon with a better range of motion, as is done with percutaneous procedures. The tubular body 206 is free to move anywhere and is only limited during use by the proximal dermal fixation device 208 secured to the dermis. TPU is also resistant to nicking or other damage caused by sharp instruments such as razor blades or drills. Furthermore, the heat resistant quality TPU briefly mentioned above allows the ablation instrument to pass through without deforming or otherwise damaging the tubular body 206.

However, in alternative embodiments, there are one or more seals along the length of the tubular body 206. The seals may be angled or perpendicular to each other along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body 206 (generally parallel to the length of the tubular body 206). In other embodiments, the tubular body 206 includes an indicator along its length for customizing the size of the obturator 204.

Turning now to fig. 2, an exploded perspective view of the obturator 204 of the inlet protector assembly 200 is shown, according to an embodiment. As shown, the tubular body 206 of the inlet protector assembly 204 has two circular segments 211 with a flattened segment 210 therebetween. The flattened (or narrowed) segments 210 act as seals and may be constructed by a thermoforming process. The flattened section 210 is heat sealed to flatten the tubular body 206. The flattened section 210 may be used as an alternative to a welded flat sheet of material having a seam. In some cases, flattened sections 210 for tubular body 206 are preferred over weld seams because compressive forces on tubular body 206 with a weld seam can create high friction forces that tend to grip on instruments within tubular body 206. This can lead to inadvertent withdrawal of the instrument from the portal and can increase the surgeon's perceived level (i.e., "noise"). The flattened section 210 forms a seal between itself and an instrument extending through the tubular body 206. Thus, the tubular body 206 is tighter around the instrument. After removal of the instrument, the flattened section 210 (i.e., the heat pressed or heat sealed portion) returns to a flat shape. The flattened section 210 also prevents fluid from seeping out of the tubular body 206 from the incision site. The flat region 210 may be located anywhere along the tubular body 206. The flat region 210 may be located directly between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular body 206, closer to the proximal end of the tubular body 206, or closer to the distal end of the tubular body 206. For example, with the flat region 210 closer to the proximal end of the tubular body 206, more of the tubular body 206 is placed distal to the flat region 210 in order to expand the range of sizes to maximum length adjustability that a surgeon can tailor.

Still referring to fig. 2, the tubular body 206 extends distally from the adjustment body 234, and the adjustment body 234 is configured to releasably connect to the proximal dermal fixation device 208. The tubular body 206 includes a rigid proximal end 236. The rigid proximal end 236 is an inflexible lead-in portion of the tubular body 206. The rigid proximal end 236 serves to provide a secure, stable connection between the tubular body 206 and the adjustment body 234. The rigid proximal end 236 includes threads 238 for attachment to the adjustment body 234. The threaded rigid distal end 236 also serves as a length adjustment mechanism for telescoping the tubular body 206, as described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 2, the adjustment body 234 includes a threaded inner bore 240. The threaded bore 240 extends completely through the adjustment body 234 from its proximal end 242 to its distal end 244. The adjustment body 234 also includes an outer surface 246 having an adjustment wheel 248 extending radially therefrom. The adjustment wheel 248 extends around the entire circumference of the adjustment body 234. The adjustment wheel 248 may have a tab 250 (or other similar protrusion/ridge) extending radially therefrom to improve the user's grip and may be used in length adjustment procedures. The adjustment body 234 also includes a ridge 252 extending around its entire circumference, as shown in FIG. 2. A ridge 252 extends radially from the adjustment body 234. In the depicted embodiment, the spine 252 is distal with respect to the adjustment wheel 248.

Turning now to fig. 3, a partially exploded perspective view of the inlet protector assembly 204 of the inlet protector and obturator assembly 200 is shown, according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 3, the adjustment body 234 is connected to the tubular body 206. The rigid proximal end 236 and threads 238 (fig. 2) of the tubular body 206 are threaded into the threaded bore 240 from the distal end 244 of the adjustment body 234, thereby creating a length-adjustable inlet protector device 254. As described above, the inlet protector device 254 may be removably connected to the dermal fixation device 208.

Referring briefly back to fig. 2, the proximal end 242 of the adjustment body 234 may be removably attached to the dermal fixation device 208. The dermal fixation device 208 includes a body 212 (e.g., a rectangular body) having a central aperture 214 extending therethrough. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4, the central bore 214 extends through the rotating portion 216 and the non-rotating portion 218. The rotating portion 216 and the non-rotating portion 218 are configured to cooperate to fine tune the attachment of the dermal fixation device 208 to a tubular (or hollow) shaft 220 of the handpiece 202, as shown in fig. 1. The handpiece 202 may be temporarily connected to the dermal fixation device 208 for insertion and deployment of the dermal fixation device 208 (separate from the inlet protector device 254).

The rotating portion 216 is a removable female connector, such as a threaded passage 222 extending from the central aperture 214. The non-rotating portion 218 is a non-threaded (or relatively smooth) passage 224 that connects within the threaded passage 222. As shown, the non-threaded passage 222 is also connected to the tubular body 206 near the flattened section 210. When the dermal fixation device 208 is attached to the handpiece 202, the rotating portion 216 and the non-rotating portion 218 receive the tubular stem 220 and the rotating portion 216 rotates such that the threaded passage 222 is tightened around the tubular stem 220. In use, an instrument may be inserted proximally into tubular shaft 220 and through tubular body 206.

Turning now to fig. 5, a top perspective view of the obturator 204 in a first configuration is shown, according to an embodiment. The dermal fixation device 208 includes one or more flaps 228 that extend distally from within the body 212 of the dermal fixation device 208 (also shown in fig. 4). The flaps 228 are movable from the first configuration to the second configuration using an actuator 230 on the body 212. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the flaps 228 are in a first configuration, closed against the tubular body 206. In the depicted embodiment, the flaps 228 extend in a direction parallel to the length of the tubular body 206 in the first configuration. As shown, when the flaps 228 are in the first configuration, the actuator 230 is in the first position. In an embodiment, the first position is an unlocked position in which the flaps 228 are substantially flush with the tubular body 206 for insertion into the patient.

Turning now to fig. 6-8, the flaps 228 are in a second configuration. To move the flaps 228 into the second configuration, the actuator 230 is activated. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator 230 is rotated or otherwise moved to the second position. (the first and second positions of the actuator 230 may be indicated by indicators 232 on 212, as shown in FIG. 6). As shown, when the flaps 228 are in the second configuration, they extend and extend at an angle relative to the tubular body 206. In the second configuration, the flaps 228 serve to retain the access protector assembly 204 within the patient.

Referring now to fig. 9, a top perspective view of the proximal dermal fixation device 208 of the inlet protector assembly 204 is shown, according to an embodiment. The proximal dermal fixation device 208 of fig. 2 and 11 includes a central aperture 214 extending therethrough. The central bore 214 is configured to receive the ridge 252 (fig. 2) of the adjustment body 234. In an embodiment, the ridge 252 of the adjustment body 234 is configured to snap into the central bore 214.

The dermal fixation device 208 of fig. 2 and 11 also includes a locking mechanism 256. In the depicted embodiment, the locking mechanism 256 is a spring clip. In the depicted embodiment, spring clip 256 is a two-pronged retaining spring clip. In other words, it comprises an arcuate first arm 258 having three connected substantially straight sections 260 and an arcuate second arm 262 having three connected substantially straight sections 260. The first and second arms 258, 262 are oriented or otherwise arranged such that they merge or meet within the body 212 of the dermal fixation device 208, forming a substantially hexagonal shape. The spring clip 256 is configured to snap onto the spine 252 of the adjustment body 234.

The spring clip 256 includes an exposed portion 264 and an unexposed portion 266. As shown in fig. 11, the unexposed portion 266 is within the body 212 of the dermal fixture 208. The unexposed portion 266 includes the first and second arms 258, 262 of the spring clip 256. The exposed portion 264 is a tab 268 that is attached to both the first arm 258 and the second arm 262. The tab 268 extends from the body 212 of the dermal fixation device 208, as shown in fig. 2 and 11. The spring clip 256 is opened by depressing the tab 268 toward the body 212 of the dermal fixation device 208. In other words, by pushing the tab 268 inward, the first and second arms 258, 262 move away from each other in opposite directions, thereby opening the spring clip 256.

When the spring clip 256 is opened (by depressing the tab 268), the ridge 252 of the adjustment body 234 can be inserted therein. Then, when the tab 268 is released, it catches or otherwise catches on the ridge 252 of the adjustment body 234, thereby locking the tubular body 206 in the dermal fixation device 208, as shown in fig. 7. To release the ridge 252 of the adjustment body 212, the tab 268 is pressed again, thereby opening the spring clip 256 and releasing the adjustment body 234 (with the tubular body 206 attached), as shown in fig. 3. Accordingly, the adjustment body 234 may be coupled to or decoupled from the dermal fixation device 208. This allows for removal of the portal conserver device 254 as shown in fig. 3. In other words, the dermal fixation device 208 may be inserted and deployed prior to the addition of the inlet protector device 254 (with its integral length adjustment). Separation also allows for potentially safer insertion of the dermal fixation device 208 and the inlet protector device 254.

Referring now to fig. 10, a side schematic view of the obturator 204 in an extended position is shown, according to an embodiment. In the extended position, the flat section 210 of the tubular body 206 is a first distance from the dermal fixation device 208. To reach the extended position, the adjustment wheel 248 is rotated in a first direction, exposing the rigid proximal end 236, thereby telescoping the tubular body 206 in a distal direction. This increases the working length of the overall inlet protector assembly 200. During the procedure of extending the inlet protector assembly 200, the adjustment wheel 248 may be rotated at any time.

Turning now to fig. 11, a side view schematic diagram of the inlet protector assembly 204 in a retracted position is shown, according to an embodiment. In the retracted position, the flat section of the tubular body 206 is a second distance from the dermal fixation device 208. In embodiments, the second distance is less than or shorter than the first distance. To reach the retracted position, the adjustment wheel 248 is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, which brings the rigid proximal end 236 into the dermal fixture 208. Rotating the adjustment wheel 248 in the second direction causes the tubular body 206 to telescope in the proximal direction. This reduces the working length of the entire inlet protector assembly 204. The adjustment wheel 248 may be rotated at any time during the procedure to shorten the inlet protector assembly 204.

In use, the dermal fixation device 208 is advanced (e.g., via the handpiece 202 in fig. 1) to the incision site without any risk to surrounding structures (e.g., the femoral head) due to its small diameter. (the dermal fixation device 208 may be configured for a dermal opening used in most procedures, including a 12mm dermal opening diameter that is smaller than the diameter used for most cannulas). The dermal fixation device 208 is further advanced until the flap 228 is in the dermal layer. The actuator 230 is then moved from the first position to the second position, deploying the flaps 228, and moving them from the first configuration to the second configuration.

With the dermal fixture 208 in place (secured to the dermal layer), the inlet protector device 254 may be coupled to the dermal fixture 208. The user presses the tab 268 inward, moving the first and second arms 258, 262 away from each other in opposite directions and opening the spring clip 256. When pressing the tab 268 toward the body 212 of the dermal fixture 208, the user inserts the ridge 252 of the adjustment body 234, which is configured to snap into the central aperture 214. The tab 268 is then released and the spring clip 256 locks around and over the adjustment body 234 (at the ridge 252), thereby coupling the inlet protector device 254 and the dermal fixation device 208. As described above, with the inlet protector device 254 coupled to the dermal fixture 208, the adjustment body 234 may be used in a procedure to adjust the length of the inlet protector device 254. When use of the access protector device 254 is complete, the user may again press the tab 268 inward toward the body 212 of the dermal fixation device 208, thereby releasing the spine 252 from the spring clip 256. With the ridges 252 released, the user may remove the inlet protector device 254 from the dermal fixation device 208 and from the original incision for easy removal without causing additional trauma or scarring to the patient's skin or dermis.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to take precedence over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

While various embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprises" (and any form of "comprising", such as "comprises" and "comprising)", "has" (and "has)", such as "has" and "has)", "contains" (and any form of "containing", such as "comprises" and "containing)", and "contains" (and "contains" and any form of "containing", such as "contains" and "contains" are open-ended verbs. Thus, a method or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that "comprises," "has," "includes" or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Further, a device or structure that is constructed in a certain manner is constructed in at least that manner, but may also be constructed in ways that are not listed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand one or more aspects of the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.