# US 8,147,458 B2 · Multi-seal trocar system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,147,458 B2 - Document ID: US8147458B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/208,000 - Filed: 2008-09-10 - Published: 2009-01-01 - Granted: 2012-04-03 - Earliest claimed: 2004-05-13 - Assignees: Applied Medical Resources Corporation - Inventors: Charles C Hart; John R Brustad; Nabil Hilal; Said Hilal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8147458B2 ## 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 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 multi-seal trocar system includes a plurality of co-axial sealing elements adapted for forming a seal with either a large or small instrument. Small and large sealing elements are disposed in an in-line arrangement such that a-single port is provided for instrument insertion. A zero seal is disposed distally of the sealing elements to seal a working channel of the system and to prevent backflow when no instruments are inserted. The small sealing element is configured such that insertion of a large instrument automatically moves the small sealing element out of its path, thereby avoiding contact with the large instrument. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trocar system comprising: a housing comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; a cap assembly comprising: a cap coupled to the proximal portion of the housing and having an orifice therethrough, a plurality of protectors in a rest state extending proximally away from the orifice and outside of and away from the cap and the housing, and a small-sized seal element coupled to the protectors; a guide assembly disposed at least in part within the housing, distal to the cap assembly, the guide assembly comprising: a tube, and a large-sized seal disposed at a distal portion of the tube, substantially coaxial with the small-sized seal element; and a zero seal element disposed at least in part within the housing, substantially coaxial with the large-sized seal element and the small-sized seal element, the zero seal element comprising a distal end disposed adjacent to the distal portion of the housing, and distal to the small-sized seal element and the large-sized seal element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the protectors comprises a proximal bump, positioned, dimensioned, and configured to contact and to shield the large instrument from contacting the small-sized seal element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the small-sized seal element comprises a radially stretchable septum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the small-sized seal element is comprises a first material and the large-sized seal comprises a second material, wherein the first material is more flexible than the second material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the second material is more puncture-resistant than the first material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the zero seal element comprises a duckbill-type seal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the zero seal element comprises a plenum in which at least a portion of the guide assembly is disposed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a cannula formed integrally with the housing and extending distally therefrom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the tube is an elongate tube having a height greater than a width of the tube, a proximal end of the tube connected to the cap adjacent to the plurality of protectors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the small-sized seal element is a monolithic elastomeric septum saucer with a distally extending outer portion curving into a proximally extending central portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the small-sized seal element in a rest state extends proximally away from the large-sized seal element and towards the plurality of protectors with a distal end of the small-sized seal element extending proximally towards a distal end of the plurality of protectors. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the cap has a raised portion exteriorly surrounding the orifice through the cap and the plurality of protectors being attached to the raised portion of the cap peripherally around the orifice. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the small-sized seal element in a rest state extends proximally towards the plurality of protectors with a proximally extending central portion of the small-sized seal element contacting distally extending portions of the plurality of protectors. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the small-sized seal element comprises a curvilinear outer portion extending distally towards the large-sized seal element and curving up into the proximally extending central portion of the small-sized seal element.