Endoscopic cannula with tricuspid leaf valve

Claim 1

A laparoscopy cannula for allowing external access to a body cavity in one mode, while preventing fluid flow from said cavity at a designated seal area defined by a tricuspid, resilient, leaf valve, in said one mode, and also preventing said fluid flow during a second mode where said cavity is sealed without external access, said cannula comprising: a hollow, tubular body defining an elongated passageway and having an enlargement at one area thereof designed to be positioned outside the body, said tubular body carrying an integral closure consisting essentially of a substantially planar wall containing said tricuspid, resilient, leaf valve positioned at said enlargement to close said passageway, yet being yieldable to allow passage therethrough of an elongated medical device while sealing said designated area which surrounds said device while said device is used int he body, said valve being operable without the use of supplementary compression means at said designated area, said tricuspid, resilient, leaf valve being formed of a resilient organic polymeric material having said substantially planar wall comprising an end wall perpendicular to said passageway axis and carried by an end cap mounted on said tubular body having a re-entrant cross-section and an enclosing collar, said re-entrant cross-section defining said planar end wall being mounted on said collar, substantially in a plane perpendicular to said body passageway and carrying said tricuspid leaf valve in said plane perpendicular to said passageway axis, said end wall having a thickness of at least 1/32" and being less than a thickness of said collar.