Universal seal for trocar assembly

• US 5,350,364 A
• Filed: 01/04/1993
• Issued: 09/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Farra, Robert, Pichon, Dean, Stephens, Randy R., Collins, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/000,108
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164, 604/167, 604/169, 604/248, 604/258
• US Class Current: 604/167.06
• 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 2039/0626 used with other surgical instruments, e.g. endoscope, trocar
• 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 2039/066 Septum-like element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0666 Flap-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/06 Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof

Abstract

Trocar assembly devices are disclosed that include an improved seal assembly that accommodates instruments having a wide range of diameters. The seal assembly includes a universal seal member that is generally of hourglass shape defining converging and diverging side walls that form a constricted center bore portion therebetween. Various alternative means are provided to either increase or decrease the inner diameter of the center bore portion of the seal member.

Claims

1. A trocar assembly for providing communication into an anatomical cavity, comprising:

(a) a trocar tube defining an interior lumen having an open distal end portion and an open proximal end portion for accommodating axial reciprocation of an elongate implement of lesser cross-sectional dimension therethrough;

(b) means adjoining said proximal end portion of said trocar tube defining a chamber having open distal and proximal end portions that communicate with said lumen and permit axial reciprocation of such an elongate implement therethrough;

(c) seal means positioned in said chamber, said seal means having a generally hourglass shape defining generally converging and diverging side walls that form a constricted center bore portion therebetween allowing an elongate implement to pass therethrough in sealing engagement therewith, said seal means sealing said proximal end portion of said chamber

(d) compressing means for compressing said center bore portion so as to reduce the inner diameter thereof, said compressing means applying a twisting force to said seal means.

2. The trocar assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said compressing means also applies a force to separate the respective ends of said seal means.

3. The trocar assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said seal means includes an inner end portion and an outer end portion, and said compressing means retains either said inner end portion or said outer end portion and causes said other end portion to float and be twisted and further separated from the fixed end portion.

4. The trocar assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said compressing means includes a seal retaining ring positioned in said chamber, said retaining ring extending between said fixed and floating end portions of said seal means and being secured to said chamber so as to permit axial movement of said retaining ring into and out of said chamber.

5. The trocar assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said retaining ring includes a threaded portion that is received by cooperating threads associated with said chamber such that rotation of said retaining ring causes said retaining ring to move axially into and out of said chamber and thereby move said floating end portion.

6. The trocar assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said floating end portion is received through a support ring positioned within said retaining ring.

7. The trocar assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said support ring and said floating end portion are movable radially within said retaining ring.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said support ring is received in a floating ring that is positioned in said retaining ring, said floating ring being radially movable within said retaining ring.

9. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said retaining ring includes a finger that cooperates with a detent associated with said chamber to limit rotation of said retaining ring to one revolution.