Self sealing flexible elastomeric valve and trocar assembly for incorporating same
First Claim
1. A self sealing flexible elastomeric valve adapted to have a device inserted therethrough, said valve comprising:
- a) a flange having an aperture therethrough,b) a cylindrical wall defining a tubular opening extending from said flange, andc) a pair of mutually opposed first and second sealing wall sections extending from said cylindrical wall, said first and second sealing wall sections each having a distal sealing end, said wall sections converging at said distal sealing ends wherein said wall sections are adjacent to each other and define a generally S-shaped slit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self sealing flexible elastomeric valve is disclosed. The valve can be used to seal a trocar device from loss of gas pressure during a laparoscopic surgical procedure when a surgical instrument is inserted therethrough as well as when no instrument is inserted. The preferred one piece valve includes a flange having an aperture, and a cylindrical wall section which extends to a pair of mutually opposed sealing wall sections defining a generally S-shaped slit. This slit configuration at the end of these wall sections define the sealing surfaces. The flange preferably includes a concentrically dome shaped region with the aperture centrally displayed. The valve also is preferably composed of a silicone rubber. The valve has the advantages of simplicity of manufacture and assembly and the ability to provide an adequate seal against the surface of any surgical instrument inserted through it. Also, the improved valve will require a small amount of force to insert instruments and will resist eversion of the valve walls when instruments are withdrawn. A trocar assembly incorporating the sealing valve as described above is also disclosed.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A self sealing flexible elastomeric valve adapted to have a device inserted therethrough, said valve comprising:
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a) a flange having an aperture therethrough, b) a cylindrical wall defining a tubular opening extending from said flange, and c) a pair of mutually opposed first and second sealing wall sections extending from said cylindrical wall, said first and second sealing wall sections each having a distal sealing end, said wall sections converging at said distal sealing ends wherein said wall sections are adjacent to each other and define a generally S-shaped slit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification