Introducer seal assembly

• US 20040066008A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Smith, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US10/264,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20040066008A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 277/628
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24

Abstract

A seal assembly for use with an access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a longitudinal opening to permit passage of instrumentation through the seal housing. A gimbal mount is at least partially accommodated within a space defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the seal housing. The gimbal mount includes a seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of a surgical instrument. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument while substantially maintaining the sealed reception of the surgical instrument.

Claims

1. A seal assembly for use with an access device, which comprises:

a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis, the seal housing including an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall defining a longitudinal opening to permit passage of instrumentation through the seal housing; and

a gimbal mount at least partially accommodated within a space defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the seal housing, the gimbal mount including a seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of a surgical instrument, the gimbal mount adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument while substantially maintaining the sealed reception of the surgical instrument.

2. The seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seal housing includes a skirt seal, the skirt seal positioned about the gimbal mount and adapted to minimize passage of fluids through the seal housing.

3. The seal assembly according to claim 2 wherein the skirt seal extends to contact the gimbal mount, the skirt seal adapted to bias the gimbal mount in a general proximal direction.

4. The seal assembly according to claim 3 wherein the skirt seal is dimensioned and configured to bias the gimbal mount against a portion of the inner wall of the seal housing.

5. The seal assembly according to claim 4 wherein the inner wall defines a distal arcuate surface in contacting relation with a corresponding inner arcuate surface of the gimbal mount.

6. The seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seal member includes a resilient member and a protective layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient member.

7. The seal assembly according to claim 6 wherein the protective layer of the seal member extends at least partially within the aperture to protect portions of the seal member defining the aperture during passage of the surgical instrument.

8. The seal assembly according to claim 6 wherein the protective layer includes a fabric material.

9. The seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seal housing is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal when said instrument is inserted into the seal assembly and through the cannula assembly.

10. The seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the gimbal mount defines a general hemispherical configuration.

11. A seal assembly for use with an access device, which comprises:

a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, the seal housing including an inner wall defining an opening to permit passage of instrumentation through the seal housing;

a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing, the gimbal mount adapted for angular movement within the seal housing about an axis of rotation, the gimbal mount including a seal defining an aperture for sealed reception of a surgical instrument; and

a skirt member engageable with a peripheral portion of the gimbal mount, the skirt member dimensioned to bias the gimbal mount in a proximal direction against the seal housing.

12. The seal assembly according to claim 11 wherein the seal housing defines a distal angulating surface, the distal angulating surface in contacting relation with the gimbal mount.

13. The seal assembly according to claim 12 wherein the gimbal mount defines an interior surface corresponding to the distal angulating surface of the seal housing, and in contacting relation therewith, the interior surface traversing the distal angulating surface upon angular movement of the gimbal mount.

14. The seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the gimbal mount defines a general hemispherical configuration.

15. The seal assembly according to claim 14 wherein the seal housing is associated with a cannula assembly.

16. The seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein the seal assembly includes an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, and the skirt member is associated with the lower housing portion.

17. The seal assembly according to claim 16 wherein the skirt member is disposed on an upper surface of the lower housing portion.

18. The seal assembly according to claim 16 wherein the lower housing portion is fixed to the cannula assembly, and the upper housing portion is detachably securable with at least one of the lower housing portion and the cannula assembly.