Trocar seal system

• US 6,482,181 B1
• Filed: 11/24/1999
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Vumback, William J., Stellon, Gene A., Racenet, David C., Pasqualucci, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thanh, LoAn H.
• Application Number:
  US09/449,368
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93.01, 604/158, 604/164.01, 604/164-9-1, 604/167.01, 604/167.02, 604/167.06, 604/171, 604/246, 604/247, 604/256, 604/264, 604/272, 604/523, 604/533-535, 604/537, 604/905, 606/108, 606/167, 251/149.1, 251/149.2, 251/149.9, 137/872, 137/874
• 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: A61B 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3464 with means acting on inner surface of valve or seal for expanding or protecting, e.g. inner pivoting fingers
• 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 2039/0646 Duckbill-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0653 Perforated disc
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0673 comprising means actively pressing on the device passing through the seal, e.g. inflatable seals, diaphragms, clamps
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0613 with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/144 the closure elements being fixed along all or a part of their periphery
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/788 Having expansible port
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87804 Valve or deflector is tubular passageway

Abstract

A seal assembly is provided for reception of an elongated surgical instrument, which comprises a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner, the seal member further including a peripheral flange element which contacts a surface of the body to form a contact seal therewith; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. The seal assembly may further include a coating applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

Claims

1. A seal trocar assembly comprising:

a housing including an upper housing member and a lower housing member, each of the housing members defining a throughbore, the upper housing member throughbore and the lower housing member throughbore defining an opening dimensioned to allow passage of an elongated surgical instrument;

a seal member having a circular body defining a central aperture and an annular sealing flange, the seal member being positioned within a cavity defined between the upper and lower housing members such that the sealing flange of the seal member engages a bottom surface of the upper housing member, the circular body of the seal member including at least one layer of fabric;

a two part ring assembly including upper and lower ring members, each ring member including engaging structure configured to lockingly engage with respective structure formed on the other ring member, the seal member being supported between the upper and lower ring members;

a seal clamp defining a throughbore and including a plurality of projecting posts configured to be received within openings formed in the lower housing member, the seal clamp having a first end positioned adjacent an inner wall of the upper housing member and a second end;

an O-ring positioned between the first end of the seal clamp and the inner wall of the upper housing member; and

a lower seal supported between the second end of the seal clamp and the lower housing member.

2. A seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of fabric of the circular body of the seal member includes a first layer of fabric formed on an upper surface of the circular body and a second layer of fabric formed on a lower surface of the circular body.

3. A seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of fabric includes a first layer of fabric enveloped between first and second layers of polyisoprene.