Lever actuated septum seal

A trocar assembly having a channel defined along an elongate axis, the trocar assembly being adapted to receive an instrument having a particular cross-sectional area, said trocar assembly comprising:

• an elastomeric septum disposed in said channel and including portions defining an orifice having in a relaxed state a first cross-sectional area and in an expanded state a second cross-sectional area;
• a lever having a distal end, and a proximal end pivotal on an axis transverse to the elongate axis of the trocar assembly;
• means carried by the lever at said distal end for engaging the septum radially of the portions defining the orifice;
• and
• means disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the lever for sensing the particular cross-sectional area of said instrument upon entry of said instrument into said channel, and moving the lever distal end a radial distance sufficient to expand the orifice to the second cross-sectional area.

A valve assembly adapted to receive an instrument having an outer surface and a cross-sectional dimension, comprising:

• a housing defining a channel extending therethrough along an elongate axis;
• a septum disposed in said housing and adapted to extend across said channel, portions of the septum defining an orifice communicating with the channel through the septum;
• at least said portions of the septum being formed of an elastomeric material and being expandable radially outwardly to enlarge the orifice;
• and
• means pivotal on said housing and engaging the septum outwardly of the orifice for enlarging the orifice, said enlarging means being responsive to the instrument for enlarging the orifice in proportion to the cross-sectional dimension of said instrument.

A seal assembly adapted to receive an elongate object and to form a seal around the object, the assembly comprising:

• a housing defining a channel configured to receive the object moving generally axially through the channel;
• a septum extending across the channel of the housing and forming an outer seal with the housing;
• portions of the septum defining a hole communication with the channel on both sides of the septum, the hole having a size sufficient to receive the object with the hole portions forming an inner seal with the object;
• the septum being formed of an elastomeric material having properties for producing a friction force which resists movement of the object through the septum;
• and
• means responsive to insertion of the object into the channel for reducing the friction force on the object.

A seal assembly adapted to receive an elongate object and to form a seal around the object, the assembly comprising:

• a housing including first portions defining a channel extending through the housing, and second portions defining a peripheral recess in the housing;
• a septum extending across the channel of the housing;
• portions of the septum defining a hole adapted to receive the object with the septum portions forming a seal around the object;
• the septum portions engaging the object through the channel;
• actuation means movable within the peripheral recess of the housing for enlarging the hole in response to insertion of the object into the channel;
• whereby
• the friction forces are reduced to facilitate further movement of the object through the channel of the housing.