Self-seating flapper valve for an insufflation cannula assembly
First Claim
1. A flapper valve for an insufflation cannula assembly, the cannula assembly including a cannula defining a cannula passage and a housing mounted on one end of the cannula and having an opening formed therein, the flapper valve being mounted in the housing of the assembly, the flapper valve comprising:
- a valve seat formed of a resilient material and situated at the housing opening, said valve seat having an opening formed therein, said valve seat opening being in communication with the cannula passage and being adapted to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough and into the cannula passage, said valve seat having an annular portion of reduced thickness defining said opening, said annular portion thereby being of greater flexibility than adjacent portions thereof;
a valve plug having a conically or frusto-conically shaped front face which engages said valve seat, said valve plug being adapted to engage said valve seat at said opening thereof and to form a seal therewith;
biasing means for biasing said valve plug into engagement with said valve seat; and
means for mounting said valve plug in the housing and for pivoting said valve plug into and out of engagement with said annular portion of said valve seat, said valve plug being movable on said plug mounting means sufficient to provide said valve plug with self-seating capability to thereby allow said valve plug to automatically align itself with said valve seat opening when said valve plug and said valve seat are in engagement, whereby said self-seating capability of said valve plug combines with said resilient annular flexible portion of said valve seat to provide a substantially gas tight seal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cannula assembly for use in conjunction with insufflatory surgical techniques includes a cannula, a housing mounted on one end of the cannula, and a flapper valve mounted in the housing. The flapper valve includes a valve seat which is situated at an opening formed in the housing, a valve plug which is adapted to engage the valve seat to form a substantially gas tight seal with the valve seat, and a support plate on which the valve plug is mounted and which is biased to pivot the plug into and out of engagement with the valve seat. The valve plug is movable on the support plate so as to be self-aligning with the valve seat when the plug and valve are in engagement.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A flapper valve for an insufflation cannula assembly, the cannula assembly including a cannula defining a cannula passage and a housing mounted on one end of the cannula and having an opening formed therein, the flapper valve being mounted in the housing of the assembly, the flapper valve comprising:
-
a valve seat formed of a resilient material and situated at the housing opening, said valve seat having an opening formed therein, said valve seat opening being in communication with the cannula passage and being adapted to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough and into the cannula passage, said valve seat having an annular portion of reduced thickness defining said opening, said annular portion thereby being of greater flexibility than adjacent portions thereof; a valve plug having a conically or frusto-conically shaped front face which engages said valve seat, said valve plug being adapted to engage said valve seat at said opening thereof and to form a seal therewith; biasing means for biasing said valve plug into engagement with said valve seat; and means for mounting said valve plug in the housing and for pivoting said valve plug into and out of engagement with said annular portion of said valve seat, said valve plug being movable on said plug mounting means sufficient to provide said valve plug with self-seating capability to thereby allow said valve plug to automatically align itself with said valve seat opening when said valve plug and said valve seat are in engagement, whereby said self-seating capability of said valve plug combines with said resilient annular flexible portion of said valve seat to provide a substantially gas tight seal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An insufflation cannula assembly, which comprises:
-
a cannula having opposite end portions; a housing mounted on one end of the cannula, said housing having an opening formed therein; and a flapper valve mounted in the housing, said flapper valve including a valve seat disposed at the housing opening and having an opening formed therein to allow a surgical instrument to pass therethrough and into the cannula, said valve seat formed of a resilient material and having an annular portion of reduced thickness defining said opening, said annular portion being of greater flexibility than adjacent portions thereof due to said reduced thickness, a valve plug adapted to engage said valve seat at the opening thereof and to form a seal with said valve seat, and means for mounting said valve plug and for pivoting said valve plug into and out of engagement with said valve seat, said valve plug being movable on said plug mounting means so as to provide said valve plug with self-seating capability to allow said valve plug to automatically align itself with said valve seat opening when said plug and said valve seat are in engagement, whereby said self-seating capability of said valve plug combines with said resilient annular flexible portion of said valve seat to provide a substantially gas tight seal.
-
Specification