# US 12,285,190 B2 · Asymmetric shaft seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,285,190 B2 - Document ID: US12285190B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/079,637 - Filed: 2020-10-26 - Published: 2021-02-11 - Granted: 2025-04-29 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-15 - Assignees: Cilag GmbH International - Applicants: Cilag GmbH International - Inventors: Steven G. Hall; Joseph Thomas Mozloom, Jr.; Christopher W. Birri; Daniel J. Prenger; Ryan Alan Klenke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12285190B2 ## CPC - 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)} - A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)} - A61B 17/3423: {Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247)} - A61M 39/0693: {including means for seal penetration} - A61B 17/3498: {Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves (haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24)} - A61M 2039/0626: {used with other surgical instruments, e.g. endoscope, trocar} - A61M 2039/0646: {Duckbill-valve} - A61M 2039/0673: {comprising means actively pressing on the device passing through the seal, e.g. inflatable seals, diaphragms, clamps} - A61M 2039/0686: {comprising more than one seal} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An integral seal system includes a body that defines a central opening, and an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening and including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange. A duckbill seal extends distally from a bottom of the body and defines one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps. The diaphragm complements insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the duckbill seal against a surgical tool shaft extended therethrough such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An integral seal system, comprising: a body that defines a central opening and comprises a proximal end and a distal end; an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening, the asymmetric seal including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the proximal end of the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange; and a duckbill seal extending distally from the distal end of the body and defining one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps, wherein the diaphragm complements insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the duckbill seal against a surgical tool shaft extended therethrough such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized, wherein, when in a relaxed state, the diaphragm projects from the annular flange in a proximal direction, towards the proximal end and away from the duckbill seal, and wherein the asymmetric seal and the duckbill seal are formed together as a single structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein the asymmetric seal is engageable with the surgical tool shaft and generates larger drag forces during tool insertion and smaller drag forces during tool extraction, and wherein the duckbill seal generates smaller drag forces during tool insertion and larger drag forces during tool extraction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm exhibits a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of bulbous, spherical, polygonal, pyramidal, conical, frustoconical, ovoid, and any combination or plurality thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein the body is made from an elastic or pliable material selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, vinyl, spandex, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisoprene, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein the asymmetric seal is defined by the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm exhibits a bulbous cross-section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the diaphragm is greater than a thickness of the annular flange. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The integral seal system of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm exhibits a bulbous cross-section, and wherein a diameter of the bulbous cross-section is greater than a thickness of the annular flange. ### Claim 9 An integral seal system, comprising: a body that defines a central opening; an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening and including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange; and a duckbill seal axially spaced and separated from the asymmetric seal and defining one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps, wherein the diaphragm complements insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the duckbill seal against a surgical tool shaft extended therethrough such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized, wherein, when in a relaxed state, the diaphragm projects from the annular flange in a proximal direction away from the duckbill seal, and wherein the asymmetric seal and the duckbill seal are formed together as a single structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The integral seal system of claim 9, wherein the diaphragm protrudes proximally relative to the annular flange. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The integral seal system of claim 9, wherein the asymmetric seal is engageable with the surgical tool shaft and generates larger drag forces during tool insertion and smaller drag forces during tool extraction, and wherein the duckbill seal generates smaller drag forces during tool insertion and larger drag forces during tool extraction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The integral seal system of claim 9, wherein the diaphragm exhibits a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of bulbous, spherical, polygonal, pyramidal, conical, frustoconical, ovoid, and any combination or plurality thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The integral seal system of claim 9, wherein the body is made from an elastic or pliable material selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, vinyl, spandex, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisoprene, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The integral seal system of claim 9, wherein the asymmetric seal is defined by the body. ### Claim 15 A method, comprising: penetrating an integral seal system with a surgical tool shaft, the integral seal system including: a body that defines a central opening; an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening and including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange; and a duckbill seal axially spaced from the asymmetric seal and defining one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps, wherein, when in a relaxed state, the diaphragm projects from the annular flange in a proximal direction away from the duckbill seal, and wherein the asymmetric seal and the duckbill seal are formed together as a single structure; generating a first insertion drag force as the diaphragm engages the surgical tool shaft; generating a second insertion drag force as the duckbill seal engages the surgical tool shaft; and extracting the surgical tool shaft from the central passageway and thereby generating a first extraction drag force with the diaphragm and a section extraction drag force with the duckbill seal, wherein the first insertion drag force complements the second insertion drag force and the first extraction drag force complements the second extraction drag force such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: generating a first drag force with the asymmetric seal during tool insertion; and generating a second drag force with the asymmetric seal during tool extraction, wherein the first drag force is greater than the second drag force. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the duckbill seal extends distally from a bottom of the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the duckbill seal is axially separated from the asymmetric seal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the diaphragm protrudes proximally relative to the annular flange.