# US 5,752,938 A · Seal for surgical instruments > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,752,938 A - Document ID: US5752938A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/486,146 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1998-05-19 - Earliest claimed: 1994-09-12 - Assignees: Richard-Allan Medical Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Martin L. Flatland; Jeffrey W. Zerfas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5752938A ## 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 17/3498: {Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves (haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24)} - A61M 39/0606: {without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure (A61M39/0693 takes precedence)} - A61M 2039/0063: {Means for alignment of the septum, e.g. septum rim with alignment holes} - A61M 2039/0626: {used with other surgical instruments, e.g. endoscope, trocar} - 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 adaptable seal for use in a trocar or trocar converter is provided. The seal comprises a membrane having a radially proximal edge and a radially distal edge, at least one lobe terminating at said band, and preferably a band located at the radially proximal edge. The seal is thus able to adaptably receive surgical instruments of various diameters. The seal may further comprise means for forming a fluid-tight seal between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seal when an elongated object is received through an aperture in the seal, and at least one trough or wall. A seal according to the present invention is able to accommodate radial movement of the surgical instrument within the cannula of a trocar. A trocar and a trocar converter also fall within the purview of the present invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adaptable seal for sealably receiving elongated surgical objects of various diameters, said adaptable seal comprising: a membrane, said membrane having an aperture adapted to receive said elongated surgical object, said aperture being defined by a perimeter edge having a normal non-sealing position when said surgical instrument is absent and a sealing position against said surgical instrument when said surgical instrument is present, and at least one lobe in said membrane, said lobe originating at said aperture providing accumulated material allowing said perimeter edge to expand as said surgical instrument is inserted without stretching the perimeter edge; wherein said band defines an adjustable aperture which expands for various sizes of surgical instruments without excessive friction against said instrument for receiving said elongated objects without undue frictional contact. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including a plurality of lobes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including two lobes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including three lobes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, wherein said seal has an outer edge and at least one trough located adjacent said outer edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An adaptable seal according to claim 5, wherein said trough is a horizontal trough. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An adaptable seal according to claim 5, wherein said trough is a vertical trough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) An adaptable seal according to claim 5, including at least two lobes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) An adaptable seal according to claim 5, including at least three lobes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) An adaptable seal according to claim 5, including a plurality of troughs located at said outer edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is prism-shaped. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is cone-shaped. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A seal according to claim 1, wherein said seal has a lower lobe diameter and an upper lobe diameter, wherein said lower lobe diameter is smaller than said upper lobe diameter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, further including a band located about said perimeter edge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An adaptable seal according to claim 14, wherein said band contains a resilient member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An adaptable seal according to claim 15, wherein said resilient member is a wire. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A trocar converter comprising: a housing; and an adaptable seal secured to said housing; wherein said adaptable seal comprises the adaptable seal of claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A trocar converter according to claim 17, wherein said adaptable seal further comprises at least one trough located at said radially distal edge. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A trocar comprising: a housing; a cannula extending from said housing; and an adaptable seal secured to said housing, wherein said adaptable seal is the adaptable seal of claim 1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including four lobes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, said membrane having an upper surface, said seal including a guide integrally bonded to said upper surface of said membrane. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An adaptable seal according to claim 21, wherein said guide comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes, vinyls, polymerized p-xylylene dimers, and ABS plastics. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) An adaptable seal according to claim 22, wherein said guide comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) An adaptable seal according to claim 21, wherein said guide is composed of a polymerized p-xylylene dimer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) An adaptable seal according to claim 1, said seal including a web bonded to the upper surface of the membrane at the lobes. ### Claim 26 An expandable seal for sealably receiving elongated surgical instruments of various diameters, said expandable seal comprising: a membrane having an aperture defined by an edge of the membrane surrounding the aperture, said aperture being expandable between a first diameter and a second larger diameter said first diameter being a normal non-sealing position when said surgical instrument is absent and said second diameter being a sealing position to seal against said surgical instrument when said surgical instrument is present; said edge being folded with respect to itself to engage said instrument along the length of said edge as said instrument is inserted, said edge unfolding to said second larger diameter while engaging said instrument to expand said aperture as said instrument is inserted. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A trocar converter comprising: a housing; and a seal secured to said housing; wherein said seal comprises the seal of claim 26. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A trocar converter according to claim 27, wherein said seal includes at least one lobe. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The seal according to claim 26, further including a trough. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A trocar comprising: a housing; a cannula extending from said housing; and a seal secured to said housing; wherein said seal is the seal of claim 29. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A trocar according to claim 30, wherein said seal includes at least one lobe. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The seal of claim 29, wherein said trough is a horizontal trough. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) A seal according to claim 29, wherein said trough is a vertical trough. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) A seal according to claim 29 further comprising a plurality of troughs.