Safety guide for surgical placement of sharp instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the safe surgical placement of sharp instruments, such as trocars, is provided. The apparatus includes a safety guide that allows placement of a surgical trocar through a patient's skin and into a receiver. After placement of a sharp end of the trocar into the receiver, the trocar is then advanced through the patient's skin and removed from the body, thereby pulling a surgical drain, which is attached to the trocar, through the skin. The trocar and safety guide may then be disposed, the sharp end of the trochar remaining safely covered by the receiver.

What is claimed is:  
     
         51 . A surgical trocar comprising: 
 an elongate rod having a sharp end; and    a recess in an outer surface of said rod, said recess being configured to receive locking means housed in a receiver.    
     
     
         52 . The surgical trocar of  claim 51  wherein said rod is locked inside said receiver, thereby shielding said sharp end.  
     
     
         53 . The surgical trocar of  claim 51 , further comprising surgical drain that is attachable to said rod.