Flexible cannula

Claim 2

Flexible cannula, with a tube (2) whose distal zone is introducible into the inside of the body through a trocar puncture point, and with a top piece (1) attached to its proximal end (6), the top piece (1) having at its proximal end face (24) an opening (26) which is essentially aligned with the cross-section surface of the tube (2), which has allocated to it a seal (27) engaging at the shaft of introduced operation instruments, and which is separately closeable by a closure device (30, 32, 33) arranged in the inside of the top piece (1), the top piece (1) comprising coupling elements (28) for the coupling of additional equipment that can be fitted onto the proximal end face (24), characterized in that the tube (2) is made from a flexible material and that the top piece (1) is divided into a housing (10) which is flat when seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L-L) of the cannula and which is secured at the proximal end (6) of the tube (2) and contains the closure device (30, 32, 33); a flexible intermediate tube (16) which, starting from the proximal end wall (14) of the housing (10), extends along the longitudinal axis (L-L) of the cannula; and a coupling part (22) which is attached to the proximal end (20) of the intermediate tube (16) and which comprises the opening (26) and the coupling elements (28).

Claim 3

Flexible cannula according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seal (27) is a flexible plastics disc surrounding the opening (26).

Claim 4

Flexible cannula according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure device is a flap closure (30, 32, 33).

Claim 5

Flexible cannula according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure device (30, 32, 33) is designed as a double flap (32, 33) which elastically abuts against the distal edge of a closure sleeve (30) which is essentially aligned with the opening (26), the wings (32, 33) of which double flap come together at their free ends on the longitudinal axis (L-L) of the cannula and are hinged at the opposed ends, the wings (32, 33) being able to be forced away in distal direction upon introduction of an operation instrument.

Claim 6

Flexible cannula according to claim 5, characterized in that the wings (32, 33) meet at an angle of less than 180 degrees.

Claim 7

Flexible cannula according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure device is a flat slide valve.

Claim 8

Flexible cannula according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the top piece (1) comprises a gas connection.

Claim 9

Flexible cannula according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tube (2) and/or where appropriate the flexible intermediate tube (16) are made from silicone.

Claim 10

Flexible cannula according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tube (2) and/or where appropriate the flexible intermediate tube (16) are made from polyurethane.