# US 5,197,955 A · Universal seal for trocar assembly

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- Number: US 5,197,955 A
- Document ID: US5197955A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/781,026
- Filed: 1991-10-18
- Granted: 1993-03-30
- Earliest claimed: 1991-10-18
- Assignees: Ethicon, Inc.
- Inventors: Randy R. Stephens; John M. Collins; Robert Farra; Dean Pichon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5197955A

## CPC

- A61M 39/06: Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof
- 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)}
- A61M 2039/0626: {used with other surgical instruments, e.g. endoscope, trocar}
- A61M 2039/0633: {the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening}
- A61M 2039/066: {Septum-like element}
- A61M 2039/0666: {Flap-valve}
- A61M 2039/0686: {comprising more than one seal}
- 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)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the axial deflection of said seal means to the change in diameter of said center bore portion is from about 1:3 to about 3:1.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the ratio of the axial deflection of said seal means to the change in diameter of said center bore portion is about 1:1.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said converging and diverging side walls of said seal means have spaced apart axially extending tensile elements formed therein.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said tensile elements are tension bearing elements that do not sustain compressive loads.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein from about 3 to about 12 tensile elements are provided in said side walls.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said seal means includes an inner end portion and an outer end portion, and said expanding means retains either said inner end portion or said outer end portion in a fixed position and causes the other end portion to float and further separate from the fixed end portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said expanding means includes a bottom seal collar secured to said inner end portion of said seal means, said bottom seal collar being secured within said chamber to preclude axial movement of said inner end portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said expanding means includes an expander member positioned within said chamber, said expander member having an opening formed therein for receipt of said seal means therethrough, said expander member having a center portion positioned between a pair of end portions, said center portion applying a force to said outer portion of said seal means to cause said outer portion to further separate from said inner portion of said seal means and enlarge the center bore portion of said seal means.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said expander member has living hinge portions formed therein that separate said center portion from said end portions of said expander member such that application of a squeezing force to said end portions of said expander member causes said center portion to deflect upwardly and apply said force to said outer portion of said seal means.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said expander member includes fingers that extend from said end portions of said expander member, said fingers extend through openings in said chamber such that application of a squeezing force to said fingers causes said center portion to deflect upwardly.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said expanding means includes a top seal collar secured to said outer end portion of said seal means, said top seal collar being positioned in said chamber to permit axial movement of said outer end portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said expanding means includes a top seal collar secured to said outer end portion of said seal means, said top seal collar being secured within said seal means to preclude axial movement of said outer end portion.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein said expanding means includes an expander member positioned within said chamber, said expander member having an opening formed therein for receipt of said seal means therethrough, said expander member having a center portion positioned between a pair of end portions, said center portion applying a force to said inner portion of said seal means to cause it to further separate from said outer portion of said seal means and enlarge the center bore portion of said seal means.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said expander member has living hinge portions formed therein that separate said center portion from said end portions of said expander member such that application of a squeezing force to said end portions of said expander member causes said center portion to deflect downwardly and apply said force to said inner portion of said seal means.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said expander member includes fingers that extend from said end portions of said expander member, said fingers extend through openings in said chamber such that application of a squeezing force to said fingers causes said center portion to deflect downwardly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said expanding means includes a bottom seal collar secured to said inner end portion of said seal means, said bottom seal collar being positioned in said chamber to permit axial movement of said inner end portion.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said seal means has a reduced thickness at said constricted center bore portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the thickness of said converging and diverging side walls decreases as they extend toward said center bore portion.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said seal means includes an annular flange extending outwardly from the peripheral edges of said converging and diverging side walls.

### Claim 21 (depends on 2)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said seal means is received within a cage member defining a plurality of spaced apart axially extending rib portions that are positioned adjacent said converging and diverging sidewalls.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said cage member is integrally molded to said seal means.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said rib portions are formed with a living hinge at an intermediate portion thereof adjacent said center bore portion.

### Claim 24 (depends on 7)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 7 further including biasing means for biasing said other end portion toward said fixed end portion so as to reduce the inner diameter of said center bore portion.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 24 wherein said biasing means is a spring means positioned adjacent said other end portion.

### Claim 26 (depends on 17)

The trocar assembly as defined in claim 17 further including a spring means positioned adjacent said bottom seal collar for biasing inner end portion toward said outer end portion so as to reduce the inner diameter of said center bore portion.