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US 5,197,955 AGranted
Universal seal for trocar assembly
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsRandy R. Stephens, John M. Collins, Robert Farra, Dean Pichon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Trocar assembly devices are disclosed that include an improved seal assembly that accommodates instruments having a wide range of diameters. The seal assembly includes a universal seal member that is generally of hourglass shape defining converging and diverging side walls that form a constricted center bore portion therebetween. Various alternative means are provided to either increase or decrease the inner diameter of the center bore portion of the seal member.
Claims26
A trocar assembly for providing communication into an anatomical cavity, comprising:
- (a) a trocar tube defining an interior lumen having an open distal end portion and an open proximal end portion for accommodating axial reciprocation of an elongate implement of lesser cross-sectional dimension therethrough;
- (b) means adjoining said proximal end portion of said trocar tube defining a chamber having open distal and proximal end portions that communicate with said lumen and permit axial reciprocation of an elongate implement therethrough;
- (c) seal means positioned in said chamber, said seal means defining a constricted center bore portion allowing an elongate implement to pass therethrough in sealing engagement therewith, said seal means sealing said proximal end portion of said chamber, said seal means has a generally hourglass shape defining generally converging and diverging side walls that form said constructed center bore portion at the intersection thereof;
- and
- (d) expanding means for enlarging said center bore portion so as to increase the inner diameter thereof, said expanding means deflects said seal means in an axial direction.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.