Seals and sealing methods for a surgical instrument having an articulated end effector actuated by a drive shaft
First Claim
1. A seal for a minimally-invasive surgical instrument having a shaft with an actuation component extending through the shaft, the seal comprising:
- a main body configured to interface with the instrument shaft of the instrument along a shaft axis of the shaft, wherein the main body comprises;
a first aperture configured to receive the actuation component axially through the first aperture, the first aperture being larger than the actuation component when extending through the first aperture so as to accommodate lateral displacement of the actuation component relative to the shaft axis during actuation of the instrument with the actuation component, anda first slot in the main body oriented laterally relative to the shaft axis such that the first aperture extends through the slot, the first slot defining opposing axially facing internal surfaces; and
a first sealing body configured to receive the actuation component so as to contact the actuation component about a laterally extending perimeter of the actuation component so as to provide a sealing interface between the first sealing body and the actuation component;
wherein the first slot is configured to receive and allow lateral sliding of the first sealing body therein such that the first sealing body sealingly interfaces with the opposing axially internal surfaces of the slot during the lateral displacement of the actuation component, and wherein the first slot is aligned with the first aperture so as to sealingly receive the actuation component inserted through the first aperture such that the first sealing body inhibits axial transmission of at least one of an insufflate gas or a bodily fluid within the instrument shaft during a minimally invasive procedure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sealing assemblies and methods are disclosed for sealing a surgical instrument having an internal drive shaft subject to lateral displacement. A sealing assembly includes a rigid portion shaped to interface with an instrument shaft of the surgical instrument. A laterally oriented slot is open at a radially perimeter location and configured to receive an o-ring seal via the perimeter location. Apertures are disposed on opposing sides of the slot and open to the slot. The apertures are configured to receive the drive shaft there through and are larger than the drive shaft to accommodate lateral displacement of the drive shaft. The slot includes opposing internal sides spaced to interface with opposed axial surfaces of the o-ring seal. The seal inhibits axial transmission of an insufflated gas and/or bodily fluids while accommodating lateral displacement of the drive shaft.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A seal for a minimally-invasive surgical instrument having a shaft with an actuation component extending through the shaft, the seal comprising:
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a main body configured to interface with the instrument shaft of the instrument along a shaft axis of the shaft, wherein the main body comprises; a first aperture configured to receive the actuation component axially through the first aperture, the first aperture being larger than the actuation component when extending through the first aperture so as to accommodate lateral displacement of the actuation component relative to the shaft axis during actuation of the instrument with the actuation component, and a first slot in the main body oriented laterally relative to the shaft axis such that the first aperture extends through the slot, the first slot defining opposing axially facing internal surfaces; and a first sealing body configured to receive the actuation component so as to contact the actuation component about a laterally extending perimeter of the actuation component so as to provide a sealing interface between the first sealing body and the actuation component; wherein the first slot is configured to receive and allow lateral sliding of the first sealing body therein such that the first sealing body sealingly interfaces with the opposing axially internal surfaces of the slot during the lateral displacement of the actuation component, and wherein the first slot is aligned with the first aperture so as to sealingly receive the actuation component inserted through the first aperture such that the first sealing body inhibits axial transmission of at least one of an insufflate gas or a bodily fluid within the instrument shaft during a minimally invasive procedure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A minimally invasive surgical instrument comprising:
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a surgical instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, a shaft axis being defined between the proximal and distal ends; a seal body along the surgical instrument shaft, a slot being defined in the seal body and having opposing sidewalls perpendicular to the shaft axis, an aperture being defined in the seal body parallel to the shaft axis and intersecting the slot; an actuator component extending inside the shaft and through the aperture, an outer dimension of the actuator component being smaller than an inner dimension of the aperture where the actuator component extends through the aperture; and a seal member positioned in the slot, the slot being configured to allow lateral sliding of the seal member in the slot, the seal member having obverse and reverse annular sealing surfaces in lateral sliding contact engagement with the opposing sidewalls of the slot, the seal member being in surrounding contact with the actuator component, the actuator component being in sliding engagement with the seal member.
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Specification