# US 2014/0191152 A1 · Trocar and cannula assembly having improved conical valve, and methods related thereto > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191152 A1 - Document ID: US20140191152A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/887,404 - Filed: 2013-05-06 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-09 - Inventors: Roland Strelitzki; Daniel G. Doerr; Rogelio A. Insignares; Gary W. Haberland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191152A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/3498: {Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves (haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24)} - 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 2017/00845: {of moving parts with respect to each other} - A61B 2017/3464: {with means acting on inner surface of valve or seal for expanding or protecting, e.g. inner pivoting fingers} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A trocar and cannula assembly with improved conical valve that incorporates a plurality of ribs to restrict and/or otherwise influence valve movement, and a plurality of improved convolutes and bumps to enhance performance characteristics. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve comprising: a valve body; a valve member connected to said valve body; a convolute extending around a portion of said valve body; a characteristic extending through a portion of said convolute; and a friction-reduction feature formed at one of an inner surface and an outer surface of said valve body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1, wherein said valve member is a periphery valve section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1, wherein said valve member is a flange. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1, wherein said characteristic is a rib. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The valve of claim 1, wherein said friction-reduction feature is formed from a first material having a first coefficient of friction, said valve body being formed from a second material having a second coefficient of friction, wherein said first coefficient of friction does not equal said second coefficient of friction. ### Claim 6 A valve comprising: a valve body having a valve opening; a periphery valve section extending outwardly from said valve body; a convolute located at said periphery valve section; wherein said valve body includes a valve extension extending away from said convolute; a rib member extending along at least a portion of one of a periphery of said valve body and said periphery valve section; and a friction-reduction feature disposed proximate to said valve opening and formed at one of an inner surface and an outer surface of said valve extension. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said valve extension has a proximal end portion connected to a portion of said convolute, said valve opening being disposed at a distal end portion of said valve extension. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of said convolute is defined in a first plane and a second plane proximate said periphery valve section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, further comprising: a valve ring connected to said proximal end of said valve body; wherein said convolute includes a first sidewall extending inwardly from a portion of said valve ring and a second sidewall extending from said first sidewall and oriented substantially parallel to an inner perimeter surface of said valve ring; ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, further comprising: a convolute recess formed by an inner perimeter surface of said periphery valve section and a first sidewall and a second sidewall of said convolute. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said rib member extends through at least a portion of said convolute. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said friction reduction feature comprises: a protrusion extending away from said one of an inner surface and an outer surface of said valve extension. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said friction reduction feature comprises: first and second rows of friction reduction features; wherein said first row of friction-reduction features is defined proximate to said valve opening; wherein said second row of friction-reduction features is defined in a position of greater distance from said valve opening relative to a distance between said first row of friction-reduction features and said valve opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The valve of claim 13, wherein each of said first and second rows of friction-reduction features has a circumferential shape thereby defining a radial twist pattern about said valve body and proximate to said valve opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said friction-reduction feature is formed from a first material having a first coefficient of friction, said valve body being formed from a second material having a second coefficient of friction, wherein said first coefficient of friction does not equal said second coefficient of friction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said valve body is formed from a first material and said friction-reduction feature is formed from a second material, and wherein said valve body and said friction-reduction features are formed as a single molded part comprised of differing coefficients of friction, wherein said first material is an elastomeric material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 6) The valve of claim 6, wherein said rib member comprises: first, second and third rib members, wherein said convolute is positioned between any two of said first, second and third rib members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The valve of claim 17, wherein said first, second and third rib members are equidistantly spaced-apart from each other. ### Claim 19 A valve comprising: a valve body having a proximal end and a distal end; a valve opening formed at said distal end of said valve body; a valve ring connected to said proximal end of said valve body; a convolute intermediately positioned between said valve body and said valve ring; a plurality of ribs spanning across at least a portion said plurality of convolutes; and a friction-reduction feature formed at one of an inner surface and an outer surface of said valve body; wherein, when said valve body is tensioned, said convolute cooperates with said ribs and thereby facilitates said valve opening to return to a substantially equilibrium shape. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The valve of claim 19, wherein said friction-reduction feature is formed from a first material having a first elasticity, said valve body being formed from a second material having a second elasticity, wherein said first elasticity does not equal said second elasticity.