ACCESS APPARATUS WITH SHALLOW ZERO CLOSURE VALVE

• US 20080300455A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Smith, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,002,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• 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 surgical access assembly for use with a surgical access device includes a housing defining a central longitudinal axis, an elongate access member extending from the housing whereby the housing and the access member having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument, an instrument seal disposed within the housing and being adapted to establish a substantial fluid tight seal about the instrument and a zero closure valve mounted relative to the housing and being adapted to assume an open condition upon passage of the surgical instrument and a substantially closed position in the absence of the instrument. The zero closure valve includes a valve periphery and first and second lips depending from the valve periphery. The first and second lips have lip edge surfaces in juxtaposed relation to define a slit when the valve is in the closed position thereof. At least one of the lips has a general arcuate internal lip surface leading to the lip edge surface to define a sloping configuration dimensioned to facilitate passage of the surgical instrument through the valve. Each of the first and second lips may define a general arcuate lip surface. In one embodiment, the internal arcuate lip surface of each of the first and second lips includes an outer surface portion arranged at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal housing and an inner surface portion arranged at a second angle relative to longitudinal axis and being different from the first angle. The first angle is greater than the second angle.

Claims

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

a housing defining a central longitudinal axis;

an elongate access member extending from the housing, the housing and the access member having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument;

an instrument seal disposed within the housing and being adapted to establish a substantial fluid tight seal about the instrument; and

a zero closure valve mounted relative to the housing and being adapted to assume an open condition upon passage of the surgical instrument and a substantially closed position in the absence of the instrument, the zero closure valve including a valve periphery and first and second lips depending from the valve periphery, the first and second lips having lip edge surfaces in juxtaposed relation to define a slit when the valve is in the closed position thereof, at least one of the lips having a general arcuate internal lip surface leading to the lip edge surface to define a sloping configuration dimensioned to facilitate passage of the surgical instrument through the valve.

2. The surgical access assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second lips define a general arcuate lip surface.

3. The surgical access surface according to claim 2 wherein the internal arcuate lip surface of each of the first and second lips includes an outer surface portion arranged at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal housing and an inner surface portion arranged at a second angle relative to longitudinal axis and different from the first angle.

4. The surgical access assembly according to claim 3 wherein first angle is greater than the second angle.

5. The surgical access assembly according to claim 2 the internal arcuate lip surface of each of the first and second lips defines an asymmetric configuration.

6. The surgical access assembly according to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second lips includes a support rib depending from the general arcuate lip surface, the support rib being positioned to contact the surgical instrument during insertion therethrough.

7. The surgical access assembly according to claim 6 wherein the support ribs are in spaced relation when the valve is in the substantially closed position thereof.

8. The surgical access assembly according to claim 1 wherein the valve periphery includes a valve collar and a tapered segment extending inwardly from the valve collar.

9. The surgical access assembly according to claim 8 wherein the valve periphery includes a second segment extending contiguously from the tapered segment.

10. The surgical access assembly according to claim 9 wherein the second segment is in general perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis.