Access sealing apparatus and method

• US 9,878,140 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2014
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Taylor, Scott V., Kahle, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN VAN
• Application Number:
  US14/504,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20150018626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,217 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• 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 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22067 Blocking; Occlusion A61B2017/22054 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3441 with distal sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0626 used with other surgical instruments, e.g. endoscope, trocar
• 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 39/06 Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof

Abstract

A surgical access device includes a seal housing and a roller disposed in the housing and defining a working channel. The roller may be stationary or moveable within the seal housing to form both a zero seal in the absence of an instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of an instrument. Rotation of the roller is contemplated and low-friction surfaces are discussed to reduce instrument insertion forces. Multiple rollers, wiper elements, low-friction braid, pivoting elements and idler rollers are contemplated. The rollers will typically be formed of a gel material in order to facilitate the desired compliance, stretchability and elongation desired.

Claims

1. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal;

wherein the at least one roller is rotatable only about the at least one axle and is only translatable proximally and distally, and wherein the at least one roller is configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel.

2. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein the seal housing has a low friction coating in contact with the at least one roller.

3. The surgical access device of claim 1 further comprising a low friction material disposed between the at least one roller and the seal housing.

4. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein the seal housing has a first recess and a second recess disposed within an inner surface of the seal housing and the seal housing having an inwardly extending protrusion disposed between the first and second recesses.

5. The surgical access device of claim 1 wherein the seal housing comprises two entry ports and one exit port.

6. The surgical access device of claim 1 further comprising a lever pivotably connected to the seal housing and biased to contact the at least one roller.

7. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal, and wherein the at least one roller is configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel;

wherein the seal housing has an oblong recess with a length parallel to the working channel and a width perpendicular to the working channel, the length of the oblong recess being greater than the width of the oblong recess and wherein the at least one axle is disposed in the oblong recess and the at least one axle is biased towards a proximal end of the oblong recess.

8. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal;

wherein the at least one axle comprises a first axle and a second axle and the at least one roller comprises a first roller, the first roller being mounted on and rotatable about the first and second axles, and wherein the first and second rollers are configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, define a zero seal in the working channel.

9. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal, and wherein the at least one roller is configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel;

wherein the at least one axle has an oblong shape.

10. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal, and wherein the at least one roller is configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel;

wherein the at least one axle is deformable along a length of the at least one axle.

11. The surgical access device of claim 10 wherein the at least one axle comprises a spring.

12. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one non-pivotable roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal, and wherein the at least one roller is configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel;

wherein the at least one roller being made of gel material, wherein the gel material of the at least one roller includes at least one groove beginning at an outer surface of the gel material and extends inwardly towards the at least one axle.

13. The surgical access device of claim 12 wherein the at least one axle has a non-cylindrical shape and the gel material of the at least one roller conforms to the non-cylindrical shape of the at least one axle.

14. The surgical access device of claim 12 wherein the at least one axle is formed of a rigid plastic and the gel material is molded to the at least one axle.

15. The surgical access device of claim 12 wherein the gel material of the at least one roller includes at least one void between an outer surface of the gel material and the at least one axle.

16. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one non-pivotable roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal, and wherein the at least one roller is configured to be in direct contact with the instrument in the working channel to provide the instrument seal and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel;

wherein the at least one roller being made of gel material, wherein the gel material of the at least one roller has an outer surface defined by alternating peaks and valleys.

17. A surgical access device comprising:

a seal housing;

a working channel extending longitudinally through the seal housing;

at least one axle disposed in the seal housing and spaced from the working channel; and

at least one non-pivotable roller mounted on and rotatable about the at least one axle and in the presence of an instrument in the working channel defines an instrument seal, and in the absence of the instrument in the working channel, defines a zero seal in the working channel;

wherein the at least one roller being made of gel material, wherein the at least one roller comprises a first roller and a second roller and further comprising a tubular mesh extending between the first and second rollers.