Valve assembly for sealed reception of an elongated object, which comprises: a) a valve body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object, and defining a central longitudinal axis; b) an elongated seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body adapted to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a substantially fluid tight manner; and c) at least one elongated guard member disposed within the seal member and positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body, the guard member including at least a first substantially rigid portion and a second portion having less rigidity than the first portion, the guard member adapted to be displaced relative to the longitudinal axis such that at least the first substantially rigid member engages inner surface portions of the seal member proximal of the aperture to thereby facilitate expansion of the aperture of the seal member upon entry of the object therein. view more

The valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the at least one guard member includes a plurality of guard members coaxially arranged about the central longitudinal axis.

Valve assembly for sealed reception of an elongated object, which comprises: a) valve body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis; b) an elongated seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the object into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a substantially fluid tight manner; and c) a plurality of elongated guard members disposed within the seal member in contact with the inner surface thereof, the guard members positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body, each of the guard members including at least a first substantially rigid portion and a second portion having less rigidity than the first portion, each guard member adapted to be displaced relative to the longitudinal axis to facilitate expansion of the aperture of the seal member upon entry of the object therein. view more

The valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein each guard member is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene with a polytetra fluorethylene additive. view more

The trocar assembly as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a seal housing adapted to receive the elastomeric septum, the septum having seating portions positioned radially outwardly of the orifice-defining portions and contiguous therewith, said seating portions being attached to said housing for seating the septum therein, wherein the seating portions are disposed in a first plane and said orifice-defining portions are disposed in a second plane, said first and second planes being spaced along said elongate axis. view more

Valve assembly for introduction of an elongated object into a patient's body, which comprises: a) valve body member defining a proximal inlet opening and a distal outlet opening; b) first valve member formed of a flexible elastomeric resilient erial and defining an aperture for reception of the elongated object, said aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the elongated object into said aperture causes said flexible resilient material defining said aperture to resiliently engage and conform to an outer surface portion of the elongated object in substantially fluid tight manner; c) second valve member positioned adjacent said first valve member and in general alignment therewith, said second valve member defining an aperture in general alignment with said aperture of said first valve member, and being formed of a flexible resilient material at least in the region adjacent to and defining said aperture; and d) means engageable with the elongated object upon insertion thereof into said proximal inlet opening of said valve body member, and adapted to be radially displaced relative to a central axis defined by said valve body member to facilitate expansion of said aperture of said first valve member to facilitate entry of the object therein. view more

The valve assembly according to claim 12 wherein said first and second valve members are formed integral of a flexible elastomeric resilient material, said first valve member connected to said second valve member at the proximal end thereof, said first valve member being positioned at least partially within said second valve member. view more

Valve assembly according to claim 13 wherein said proximal end of said first and second valve members is attached to and supported by an annular ring.

Valve assembly according to claim 30 wherein said projecting members are attached to an annular ring.