Introducer seal assembly

• US 20060217666A1
• Filed: 03/28/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wenchell, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,582,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/167.30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/347 Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula

Abstract

A unique surgical system and method of use includes a seal assembly which is initially mountable about a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument with mounted seal assembly is thereafter positioned within a cannula assembly. The seal assembly forms a fluid tight seal within the interior of the cannula assembly while also forming a fluid tight seal about the surgical instrument. The seal assembly and the cannula assembly cooperate to permit angulation of the surgical instrument. A magnetic coupling assists in retaining the seal assembly within the cannula assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical method, which comprises:

accessing a body cavity with a surgical portal having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough;

mounting a seal apparatus onto an instrument shaft of a surgical instrument whereby the instrument shaft is received within an aperture of the seal apparatus with inner seal portions defining the aperture forming a substantial seal about the instrument shaft;

at least partially positioning the instrument shaft with mounted seal apparatus within the longitudinal passage of the surgical portal; and

establishing, with the seal apparatus, a substantial seal within the longitudinal passage of the surgical portal.

2. The surgical method according to claim 1 wherein the step of establishing includes contacting the seal apparatus with interior surfaces of the surgical portal adjacent the longitudinal passage to form the substantial seal within the longitudinal passage.

3. The surgical method according to claim 2 including the step of angulating the instrument shaft within the surgical portal to cause corresponding angulations of the seal apparatus within the surgical portal.

4. The surgical method according to claim 3 wherein the seal apparatus defines an arcuate outer surface portion and wherein, during the step of angulating, the arcuate outer surface portion traverses the interior surfaces of the surgical portal while maintaining the substantial seal therewith.

5. The surgical method according to claim 2 including the step of magnetically coupling the seal apparatus with the interior surfaces of the surgical portal.

6. The surgical method according to claim 3 including the step of substantially closing the longitudinal passage of the surgical portal when the instrument shaft is removed therefrom.

7. The surgical method according to claim 6 wherein the step of substantially closing includes disposing a zero-closure valve within the surgical portal, the zero closure valve adapted to substantially close in the absence of the instrument shaft of the surgical instrument.

8. The surgical method according to claim 2 including the step of resiliently coupling the seal apparatus with the interior surfaces of the surgical portal.

9. A surgical instrument and seal system for use with a surgical portal, which comprises:

a surgical instrument adapted to perform a surgical task, the surgical instrument including an elongated shaft; and

a seal apparatus mounted to the surgical instrument, the seal apparatus including inner seal portions defining an aperture therein adapted to receive the elongated shaft of the surgical instrument in substantial sealed relation therewith;

the surgical instrument and the mounted seal apparatus being dimensioned and configured to be at least partially positionable within the surgical portal and whereby, upon positioning, the seal apparatus is adapted to form a substantial seal within a longitudinal passageway of the surgical portal.

10. The surgical system according to claim 9 wherein the seal apparatus comprises an outer member defining an arcuate outer surface.

11. The surgical system according to claim 10 wherein the seal apparatus outer member is generally spherical and has an arcuate outer surface.

12. The surgical system according to claim 11 wherein the seal member includes a seal member arranged inwardly with respect to the outer member and having the inner seal portions.

13. The surgical system according to claim 9 wherein the seal apparatus outer member comprises one of a magnetic material and a ferromagnetic material.

14. The surgical system according to claim 9, wherein the inner seal portions slidably engage the shaft.

15. A surgical kit, which comprises:

a cannula including a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the housing, the cannula defining a longitudinal passage extending between the cannula housing and the cannula sleeve, the cannula housing defining an inner surface adjacent the longitudinal passage within the cannula housing, the cannula sleeve adapted to access an underlying body cavity insufflated with gases; and

a removable seal apparatus at least partially positionable within the cannula housing, the seal apparatus including an outer surface and an inner surface defining an aperture for sealed reception of a surgical instrument, whereby upon at least partial positioning of the seal apparatus within the cannula housing, the outer surface of the seal apparatus engages the inner surface of the cannula housing in substantial sealed relation therewith.

16. The surgical kit according to claim 15 including a surgical instrument adapted to perform a surgical task, the surgical instrument including an elongated shaft and having the seal apparatus mounted on the elongated shaft.

17. The surgical kit according to claim 15 wherein the cannula includes a zero-closure valve for substantially sealing the longitudinal passage of the cannula in the absence of the surgical instrument.

18. The surgical kit according to claim 15 including magnetic coupling means for facilitating the removable retention of the seal apparatus within the cannula housing.

19. The surgical kit according to claim 15 including resilient coupling means for facilitating the removable retention of the seal apparatus within the cannula housing.

20. The surgical kit according to claim 15 wherein one of the seal apparatus and cannula housing includes a magnetic element and wherein the other of the seal apparatus and the cannula housing includes a ferromagnetic material, the magnetic element and the ferromagnetic material cooperating to facilitate removable retention of the seal apparatus within the cannula housing.