Reusable cannula with disposable seal
First Claim
1. A disposable seal assembly, including:
- a body through which a channel extends to a distal end of the body;
a sacrificial flange having a first diameter and being positioned along the channel at a first location; and
a sealing flange having a second diameter less than the first diameter and being positioned along the channel at a second location distal of the first location of the sacrificial flange, wherein at least one of the sacrificial flange and the sealing flange provides a seal around an instrument when the instrument is positioned in the channel;
the sacrificial flange being shaped so that in response to displacement of a portion of the sacrificial flange by the instrument while the instrument is inserted through the channel, the displaced portion of the sacrificial flange folds toward the sealing flange, thereby displacing a portion of the sealing flange to prevent the sealing flange from being cut by the instrument as the instrument continues translating through the channel the displaced portion of the sacrificial flange being thicker than the portion of the sealing flange;
the sealing flange protruding from the body at an angle relative to the sacrificial flange, so that the sealing flange extends in a direction away from the sacrificial flange; and
the sacrificial flange being disposed generally in a plane extending radially of the channel.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable seal assembly for use with a reusable cannula, where the seal assembly is designed for use with the cannula during a single medical procedure and the cannula is designed for multiple uses (each time with a different seal assembly) during a number of medical procedures. The seal assembly includes both a flapper valve fluid seal (for sealing the cannula when no medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly) and at least one instrument seal (for sealing the cannula when a medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly). Preferably, the seal assembly has a body with a flange which can be snapped onto the cannula before use, and readily removed after use. Also preferably, the flapper valve has an over-centered hinge. In other embodiments, the invention is a seal assembly which includes at least one double instrument seal including a sacrificial flange and a sealing flange, and optionally also a flapper valve. The sealing flange seals the cannula when a medical instrument is inserted through the seal assembly even when the sacrificial flange has been cut during insertion of the instrument. In other embodiments, the invention is a system including a reusable cannula, and a disposable seal assembly of any of the described types which can be snapped onto the cannula before use and readily removed after use.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A disposable seal assembly, including:
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a body through which a channel extends to a distal end of the body; a sacrificial flange having a first diameter and being positioned along the channel at a first location; and a sealing flange having a second diameter less than the first diameter and being positioned along the channel at a second location distal of the first location of the sacrificial flange, wherein at least one of the sacrificial flange and the sealing flange provides a seal around an instrument when the instrument is positioned in the channel; the sacrificial flange being shaped so that in response to displacement of a portion of the sacrificial flange by the instrument while the instrument is inserted through the channel, the displaced portion of the sacrificial flange folds toward the sealing flange, thereby displacing a portion of the sealing flange to prevent the sealing flange from being cut by the instrument as the instrument continues translating through the channel the displaced portion of the sacrificial flange being thicker than the portion of the sealing flange; the sealing flange protruding from the body at an angle relative to the sacrificial flange, so that the sealing flange extends in a direction away from the sacrificial flange; and the sacrificial flange being disposed generally in a plane extending radially of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A disposable seal assembly, including:
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a body through which a channel extends to a distal end of the body; a sacrificial flange having in a relaxed state an opening with a first diameter and being positioned along the channel at a first location; a sealing flange having in a relaxed state a second diameter less than the first diameter of the sacrificial flange and being positioned along the channel at a second location distal of the first location, the sealing flange providing a seal around an instrument when the instrument is positioned in the channel; and the sacrificial flange being shaped so that in response to displacement of a portion of the sacrificial flange by the instrument as the instrument is inserted through the channel, the displaced portion of the sacrificial flange moves distally thereby displacing a portion of the sealing flange to prevent the sealing flange from being cut by the instrument as the instrument continues translating through the channel. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A disposable seal assembly, including:
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a body having a channel which extends between a proximal end and a distal end, the body including a flange for removably snapping the body onto a cannula; a flexible extension protruding from the body; a trap door having a generally rigid configuration and being mounted to the flexible extension, such that the flexible extension biases the rigid door into a closed position which seals the channel against a door seat and the flexible extension can move in response to displacement of the rigid door from the closed position by an instrument translating through the channel; and at least one instrument seal which provides the door seat for the trap door when the instrument is absent from the channel, and which seals the channel against the instrument when the instrument is positioned in the channel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A disposable seal assembly, including:
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a body through which a channel extends, wherein the body includes a flange shaped for removably snapping the body onto a cannula, and the body has a mounting portion, including; a trap door mounted to the mounting portion of the body and movable between a first position wherein the door seals the channel against a door seat and a second position wherein the door opens the channel to facilitate instrument translation through the channel, the mounting portion having properties facilitating movement of the door over-center between the first position and the second position; and at least one instrument seal which provides the door seat for the trap door when the instrument is absent from the channel, and which seals the channel against the instrument when the instrument is positioned in the channel, wherein the body including the mounting portion, the flange, and each said instrument seal are portions of a single piece of molded elastomeric material. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A cannula system, comprising:
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a reusable cannula having a first end; and a disposable seal assembly, comprising; a body through which a channel extends, said body including a flange removably snapped onto the first end of the cannula; a flexible extension which protrudes from the body; a trap door having a rigid configuration and being mechanically joined to the flexible extension, so that the flexible extension biases the door against a door seat and into a closed position which seals the channel, and facilitates over-center displacement of the door from the closed position by an instrument translating through the channel; and at least one instrument seal which provides the door seat for the trap door when the instrument is absent from the channel, and forms the door seat for the trap door and seals the channel when the instrument is positioned in the channel. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 26)
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23. A disposable seal assembly, including:
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a body having a channel extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the body including a flange shaped for removably snapping the body onto a cannula; at least one instrument seal disposed to seal the channel when an instrument is positioned within the channel; a circumferential lip included in the instrument seal, the lip being radially expandable to accommodate instruments of different diameters; a zero-closure valve disposed in the channel and having properties for blocking the channel when an instrument is not present within the channel, the zero-closure valve having a valve seat and a movable valve element; a trap door comprising the movable valve element of the zero-closure valve, the trap door being movable between a first position wherein the trap door forms a seal with the valve seat to block the channel, and a second position wherein the trap door is spaced from the valve seat to permit translation of the instrument through the channel; and the lip of the instrument seal forming the valve seat of the zero-closure valve. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 27)
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Specification