Introducer seal assembly with low profile gimbal seal

• US 20060224120A1
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wenchell, Thomas, Smith, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/167.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• 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: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0646 Duckbill-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0653 Perforated disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form

Abstract

A surgical seal assembly for use with a surgical access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument through the seal housing, a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing and having a gimbal seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the surgical instrument, and an interface seal disposed within the seal housing. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument whereby the gimbal seal member substantially maintains the sealed reception of the surgical instrument. The interface seal includes an interface seal member extending at least along the longitudinal axis and being in substantial contacting sealing relation with the gimbal mount. The interface seal member is adapted to maintain the sealing relation with the gimbal mount upon angular movement thereof.

Claims

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

a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument through the seal housing;

a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing, the gimbal mount including a gimbal seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the surgical instrument, the gimbal mount adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument whereby the gimbal seal member substantially maintains the seal with the surgical instrument; and

an interface seal disposed within the seal housing, the interface seal a resilient interface seal member extending at least along the longitudinal axis and being in substantial contacting sealing relation with the gimbal mount, the interface seal member adapted to maintain the sealing relation with the gimbal mount upon angular movement thereof.

2. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the interface seal includes a relatively rigid interface mount, the interface seal being mounted to the interface mount.

3. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 2 wherein the interface seal includes an annular gasket seal member mounted to the mounting portion and positioned to contact an internal surface of the seal housing in substantial sealing relation therewith to form a substantial seal within the seal housing.

4. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 3 wherein the interface seal member and the gasket seal member are monolithically formed.

5. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 4 wherein the gasket seal member is mounted adjacent a proximal side of the mounting portion and the interface seal member is mounted adjacent a distal side of the mounting portion.

6. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seal housing includes an interior wall portion at least partially defining the longitudinal passage, the interior wall portion being disposed in oblique relation relative to the longitudinal axis to taper radially inwardly along the longitudinal axis to facilitate reception of the surgical instrument.

7. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 6 wherein the interior wall portion is adjacent a proximal end of the seal housing.

8. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seal housing defines a height ranging from about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches.

9. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the interface seal member is positioned about the gimbal mount in sliding contact relation therewith.

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

11. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 10 wherein the protective layer of the gimbal 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.

12. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 11 wherein the protective layer includes a fabric material.

13. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seal housing is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly.

14. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the gimbal mount is adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis.

15. A surgical seal assembly for use with a surgical access device, which comprises:

a low profile seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having an internal wall defining a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument through the seal housing, the internal wall defining a tapered internal wall portion dimensioned to receive the surgical instrument when inserted within the longitudinal passage in angulated relation thereto;

a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing, the gimbal mount including a gimbal seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the surgical instrument, the gimbal mount adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument whereby the gimbal seal member substantially maintains the sealed reception of the surgical instrument; and

an interface seal disposed within the seal housing, the interface seal including an annular interface seal mount and an interface seal member mounted to the interface seal mount, the interface seal member extending at least radially inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis to contact the gimbal mount and form a substantial seal therewith, the interface seal member adapted to maintain the sealing relation with the gimbal mount upon angular movement thereof.

16. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein the seal housing defines a height ranging from about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches.

17. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein the seal housing defines an arcuate channel portion for at least partially accommodating the gimbal mount, the gimbal mount adapted to traverse the arcuate channel portion

18. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein the seal housing is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly.

19. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein the interface seal member is dimensioned to extend along the central longitudinal axis of the seal housing.

20. The surgical seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein the interface seal includes an annular gasket seal member mounted to the interface mount and positioned to contact an internal surface of the seal housing in substantial sealing relation therewith to form a substantial seal within the seal housing.