Pleated trocar seal

• US 8,728,037 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Franer, Paul T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Flick, Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOHR, LEAH C
• Application Number:
  US12/829,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20120004613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 60416701-16706, 604158-163, 604/246, 604/249
• 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 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• 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 2017/3464 with means acting on inner surface of valve or seal for expanding or protecting, e.g. inner pivoting fingers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/12 Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging

Abstract

A trocar seal comprising an elastomeric membrane having an opening adapted to receive a surgical instrument. The membrane is configured with a plurality of pleats circumscribing the opening and extending laterally from opening. The pleats comprise a plurality of pleat walls increasing in height as the pleats extend laterally from the opening. In one embodiment, the pleats are conically arranged.

Claims

1. A seal for endoscopic instruments, comprising an elastomeric membrane having an opening adapted to receive a surgical instrument, the opening centered about a longitudinal axis, said membrane being configured with a plurality of pleats circumscribing the opening and extending laterally from opening, said pleats comprising a plurality of pleats increasing in height along the longitudinal axis as the pleats extend laterally from the opening.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the pleats are conically arranged.

3. The seal of claim 1, further comprising a wall section circumscribing and connected to the pleats.

4. The seal of claim 3, wherein the wall section is cylindrical.

5. The seal of claim 3, further comprising a radial flange extending laterally from the wall section.

6. The seal of claim 3, further comprising bellows circumscribing and connected to the wall section.

7. The seal of claim 1, further comprising a lip defining the opening.

8. The seal of claim 1, comprising only eight pleats.

9. A trocar comprising the seal of claim 1.

10. A method for processing a trocar for surgery, comprising:

a) obtaining the trocar of claim 9;

b) sterilizing the trocar;

c) storing the trocar in a sterile container.

11. A trocar seal comprising:

a) a lip defining and an opening, said lip being adapted to sealingly engage a endoscopic surgical instrument; and

b) a plurality of conically arranged linear pleats circumscribing the lip and extending radially away from the lip comprising a plurality of medially tapering walls wherein the plurality of conically arranged linear pleats define a frusto-conical shape having a proximal slope greater than a distal slope.

12. A trocar comprising the seal of claim 11 positioned in a seal housing.

13. A method for processing a trocar for surgery, comprising:

a) obtaining the trocar of claim 12;

b) sterilizing the trocar; and

c) storing the trocar in a sterile container.

14. The trocar seal of claim 11, further comprising a wall section circumscribing the pleats.

15. The trocar seal of claim 14, further comprising bellows circumscribing the wall section.

16. The trocar seal of claim 14, wherein the wall section has a cylindrical portion.