US5628732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trocar with improved universal seal
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-19
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Granted: 1997-05-13
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Expires: 2016-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A trocar containing a universal seal for sealing against surgical instruments of varying diameter to maintain insufflation in the body cavity is disclosed. The universal seal has an elastomeric sealing component with a centrally located interior region containing an aperture, and a concentrically located sealing region. The sealing region is composed of an integral laminate having an overlaying layer co-molded with an underlying layer. The overlaying layer has a hardness between about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 80 Shore D Durometer Scale. The underlying layer has a hardness between about 5 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale. The co-molded laminate balances the properties of tear resistance and elasticity which are necessary for a working universal seal, and does so without the need for resilient legs or protectors to facilitate the opening of the aperture of the seal or to prevent tearing when instruments are inserted.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitchell K. Antoon, Jr.
- 👤 Michael A. Murray
- 👤 Robert T. Alvarez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3462; A61B2017/3464
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A trocar for providing access for insertion and withdrawal of surgical instruments to and from a surgical site within a body cavity, said trocar comprising: a) a trocar cannula, said cannula having a cannula housing and a tubular sleeve extending therefrom, said cannula housing having a passageway communicating with said sleeve so as to create a path through said cannula for providing access for insertion and withdrawal of said surgical instruments; and b) a seal assembly affixed to said cannula housing in said path of said passageway, said seal assembly including a seal composed of an elastomeric material for sealing against said surgical instruments of varying diameter, said seal having a centrally located interior region containing an aperture therethrough, and a concentrically located sealing region, wherein said sealing region comprises an integral laminate co-molded from said elastomeric material, said laminate having a first underlying layer and a second overlaying layer, said first underlying layer having a hardness between about 5 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale, and said second overlaying layer having a hardness between about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 80 Shore D Durometer Scale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A trocar for providing access for insertion and withdrawal of surgical instruments to and from a surgical site within a body cavity, said trocar comprising: a) a trocar cannula, said cannula having a cannula housing and a tubular sleeve extending therefrom, said cannula housing having a passageway communicating with said sleeve so as to create a path through said cannula for providing access for insertion and withdrawal of said surgical instruments; and b) a seal assembly affixed to said cannula housing in said path of said passageway, said seal assembly including a seal composed of an elastomeric material for sealing against said surgical instruments of varying diameter, said seal having a centrally located interior region containing an aperture therethrough, and a concentrically located sealing region, wherein said sealing region comprises an integral laminate co-molded from said elastomeric material, said laminate having a first underlying layer and a second overlaying layer, said first underlying layer having a hardness between about 5 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale, and said second overlaying layer having a hardness between about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 80 Shore D Durometer Scale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of silicone robber, polyurethane elastomer, chlorobutyl rubber, polyisoprene rubber and ethylene propylene diene monomer ("EPDM") rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The trocar of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric material is polyurethane or silicone rubber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The trocar of claim 3 wherein said elastomeric material is silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said first underlying layer of said sealing region has a tear strength between about 30 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 40 Shore A Durometer Scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The trocar of claim 5 wherein said second overlaying layer of said sealing region has a tear resistance between about 60 Shore A Durometer Scale and about 70 Shore D Durometer Scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said second overlaying layer of said sealing region is displayed as a plurality of separate concentric plates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said second overlaying layer of said sealing region is displayed as a plurality of interconnected concentric plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said second overlaying layer of said sealing region is a continuous layer co-molded over substantially the entire surface of said first underlying layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said seal is generally a flat seal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The trocar of claim 1 wherein said seal is a conical seal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-11-11 | 2001-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-11-11 | 2005-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-11-11 | 2009-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |