US5752938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal for surgical instruments
Assignee: Conmed Corp
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1998-05-19
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin L. Flatland
- 👤 Jeffrey W. Zerfas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3462; A61B17/3498; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M2039/0036; A61M2039/0063; A61M39/02; A61M39/06; A61M2039/0626; A61M39/0606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
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
Dependent Claim
127 words
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 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including a plurality of lobes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including two lobes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including three lobes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
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 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 5, wherein said trough is a horizontal trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 5, wherein said trough is a vertical trough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 5, including at least two lobes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 5, including at least three lobes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 5, including a plurality of troughs located at said outer edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is prism-shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, wherein said membrane is cone-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
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 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, further including a band located about said perimeter edge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 14, wherein said band contains a resilient member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 15, wherein said resilient member is a wire.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
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 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A trocar converter according to claim 17, wherein said adaptable seal further comprises at least one trough located at said radially distal edge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
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 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, including four lobes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
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 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
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 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 22, wherein said guide comprises ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 21, wherein said guide is composed of a polymerized p-xylylene dimer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
An adaptable seal according to claim 1, said seal including a web bonded to the upper surface of the membrane at the lobes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
122 words
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 28
Dependent Claim
122 words
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 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
A trocar converter comprising: a housing; and a seal secured to said housing; wherein said seal comprises the seal of claim 26.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A trocar converter according to claim 27, wherein said seal includes at least one lobe.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
10 words
The seal according to claim 26, further including a trough.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
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 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
A trocar according to claim 30, wherein said seal includes at least one lobe.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The seal of claim 29, wherein said trough is a horizontal trough.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
A seal according to claim 29, wherein said trough is a vertical trough.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
A seal according to claim 29 further comprising a plurality of troughs.
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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) | 2001-05-18 | 2001-11-17 | 2002-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-18 | 2005-11-17 | 2006-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-18 | 2009-11-17 | 2010-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |