HIGHLY RESPONSIVE INSTRUMENT SEAL

摘要

A surgical access port for passage through body tissue to provide access to an underlying tissue site is provided. The access port has a working channel dimensioned for receiving a surgical instrument and a seal assembly for providing a substantial seal before, during and after insertion of a surgical instrument. The seal assembly includes an instrument seal and a zero seal. The instrument seal includes a proximal base that is interconnected to a distal instrument engaging portion by an elongate supporting portion. The engaging portion has a lateral dimension larger than the lateral dimension of the supporting portion forming a bulbous, mushroom-like head. The lateral dimension of the engaging portion decreases toward a distal opening of the instrument seal such that the distal end of the engaging portion is substantially perpendicular to the seal axis. The supporting portion closely conforms to an inserted instrument and serves to align the distal end of the seal.

主权项

1. A surgical access device having a working channel extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the surgical access device, comprising:
a seal housing; a cannula extending distally from the seal housing; a seal assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the seal housing; the seal assembly includes:
an instrument seal disposed in the working channel; the instrument seal has a central lumen extending along a central seal axis between a proximal opening at a proximal end of the instrument seal and a distal opening at a distal end of the instrument seal; the proximal opening and the distal opening being coaxial with the seal axis; the instrument seal includes:
a base portion at the proximal end of the instrument seal defining the proximal opening; the base portion extends circumferentially outwardly from the proximal opening; the central lumen at the base portion has a first diameter;a cylindrical supporting portion extending distally from the base portion along the seal axis; the supporting portion having a proximal end and a distal end; the supporting portion includes an inner surface and an outer surface defining a wall thickness therebetween; the supporting portion has a circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the seal axis; the central lumen at the supporting portion has a second diameter that is constant along the length of the supporting portion; andan instrument engaging portion integrally formed with and extending distally from the supporting portion; the instrument engaging portion includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a partial spherical shape having a maximum diameter that is larger than the second diameter; the instrument engaging portion defines the distal opening at the distal end of the instrument seal and formed in the spherical shape; the distal opening having a distal diameter that is smaller than the second diameter;wherein the base portion is connected to the seal housing such that the distal end of the instrument seal is allowed to pendulate with respect to the seal housing.