Endoscopic access assembly

• US 5,545,179 A
• Filed: 07/21/1995
• Issued: 08/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Williamson, Warren P. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): RIMELL, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/505,504
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 606/213, 604/115, 604/116, 604/167, 604/256, 604/237, 604/174, 604/178, 604/32, 128/DIG. 26
• US Class Current: 606/213
• 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 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00544 pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3486 Balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall

Abstract

An access assembly to provide access for surgical instruments during endoscopic surgical procedures and simultaneously seal the access opening when the instrument is withdrawn is disclosed. The assembly has a base, and an elastomeric sealing element and a tubular conduit. The base has a flange and a neck. The elastomeric sealing element has an inner elongated central channel which provides a passageway for surgical instruments into a body cavity. The sealing element also has an outer inflatable sleeve. When the space between the inner channel and outer sleeve is inflated, a distal balloon portion of the sleeve is inflated and the inner channel is compressed to constrict the inner channel passageway and therefore provide a seal. The primary advantages of this access assembly are that it provides a precise passage into the channel so that the elastomeric sealing element is not inadvertently punctured, and it can be manufactured in a cost effective manner because the base of the access assembly provides a ready platform for manufacture and attachment of the sealing element.

Claims

1. An access assembly for providing a passage for a surgical instrument and maintaining insufflation of a body cavity during an endoscopic surgical procedure, said assembly comprising:

a) a base having a flange and a neck extending from said flange, said flange having a flange opening therein, and said neck having a longitudinal lumen extending therethrough in communication with said flange opening;

b) an elastomeric sealing element having an elongated central channel and an outer inflatable sleeve, said channel having proximal and distal ends, said proximal end affixed to said flange and extending through said flange opening and neck lumen, said channel defining a passageway from said flange opening into said body cavity for receiving an endoscopic surgical instrument therethrough, said outer inflatable sleeve having a proximal tubular portion affixed to said neck and a distal balloon portion coterminous with said channel distal end, said inner channel and said outer sleeve defining an inflation space between said inner channel and said outer sleeve; and

c) a conduit in fluid communication with said inflation space, wherein when an inflation fluid is delivered through said conduit into said inflation space, said distal balloon portion is inflated and said inner channel is compressed so as to constrict said channel passageway.

2. The access assembly of claim 1 wherein said neck has an outer circumferential surface, and said proximal end of said inner channel is stretched about said flange and said outer circumferential surface so as to affix said channel proximal end thereto.

3. The access assembly of claim 2 further comprising a rigid cap secured to said flange, said cap sandwiching a portion of said inner channel proximal end between said cap and said flange.

4. The access assembly of claim 3 wherein said base is a rigid base.

5. The access assembly of claim 4 wherein said proximal tubular portion of said outer inflatable sleeve is stretched about said outer circumferential surface of said neck so as to affix said proximal tubular portion thereto.

6. The access assembly of claim 5 wherein said inner channel has a triangular cross-section.

7. The access assembly of claim 6 wherein said neck is cylindrical.

8. The access assembly of claim 7 wherein said outer circumferential surface of said neck has an aperture therethrough, and said conduit is a tubular conduit in fluid communication with said aperture.

9. The access assembly of claim 1 wherein said distal balloon portion of said outer inflatable sleeve is composed of a silicone elastomer.

10. The access assembly of claim 9 wherein said inner channel is co-molded from a silicone elastomer and a friction reducing agent.

11. The access assembly of claim 10 wherein said inner channel is co-molded from a silicone elastomer and either a polyurethane or polyethylene.