US5330437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self sealing flexible elastomeric valve and trocar assembly for incorporating same
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-12
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2013-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A self sealing flexible elastomeric valve is disclosed. The valve can be used to seal a trocar device from loss of gas pressure during a laparoscopic surgical procedure when a surgical instrument is inserted therethrough as well as when no instrument is inserted. The preferred one piece valve includes a flange having an aperture, and a cylindrical wall section which extends to a pair of mutually opposed sealing wall sections defining a generally S-shaped slit. This slit configuration at the end of these wall sections define the sealing surfaces. The flange preferably includes a concentrically dome shaped region with the aperture centrally displayed. The valve also is preferably composed of a silicone rubber. The valve has the advantages of simplicity of manufacture and assembly and the ability to provide an adequate seal against the surface of any surgical instrument inserted through it. Also, the improved valve will require a small amount of force to insert instruments and will resist eversion of the valve walls when instruments are withdrawn. A trocar assembly incorporating the sealing valve as described above is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard J. Durman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/02; A61M39/06; A61M2039/0633; A61M2039/0646; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7879; Y10T137/788; Y10T137/7882
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A self sealing flexible elastomeric valve adapted to have a device inserted therethrough, said valve comprising: a) a flange having an aperture therethrough, b) a cylindrical wall defining a tubular opening extending from said flange, and c) a pair of mutually opposed first and second sealing wall sections extending from said cylindrical wall, said first and second sealing wall sections each having a distal sealing end, said wall sections converging at said distal sealing ends wherein said wall sections are adjacent to each other and define a generally S-shaped slit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A self sealing flexible elastomeric valve adapted to have a device inserted therethrough, said valve comprising: a) a flange having an aperture therethrough, b) a cylindrical wall defining a tubular opening extending from said flange, and c) a pair of mutually opposed first and second sealing wall sections extending from said cylindrical wall, said first and second sealing wall sections each having a distal sealing end, said wall sections converging at said distal sealing ends wherein said wall sections are adjacent to each other and define a generally S-shaped slit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve is a one-piece valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve of claim 2 wherein said cylindrical wall extends substantially perpendicularly from said flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve of claim 3 wherein said sealing wall sections converge in a manner wherein said valve has a generally frusto-conic shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve of claim 4 wherein said flange has a generally circular configuration and said aperture is centrally displayed on said flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve of claim 5 wherein said flange includes a peripheral annular lip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve of claim 6 wherein said flange includes a concentrically dome shaped region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 7 wherein said cylindrical wall has a thickness greater than the wall thickness of each of said first and second sealing wall sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The valve of claim 8 wherein said flange defines a flange plane, and said S-shaped slit defines a slit plane, and said slit plane is substantially parallel to said flange plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve of claim 9 wherein said flange aperture and said S-shaped slit define a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to said plane of said flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said flexible elastomeric valve is composed of a silicone rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A trocar assembly comprising: a) a handle housing having a cannula passage, b) a cannula attached to said handle housing for receiving an obturator or other surgical instrument therethrough, c) the sealing valve of claim 1, said sealing valve retained in said housing for self sealing when said obturator or said other surgical instrument is inserted through said cannula or when said obturator or said other surgical instrument is withdrawn from said cannula, d) an obturator slidably received in said handle housing for insertion through said cannula, and e) an obturator handle attached to said obturator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A trocar assembly comprising: a) a handle housing having a cannula passage, b) a cannula attached to said handle housing for receiving an obturator or other surgical instrument therethrough, c) the sealing valve of claim 10, said sealing valve retained in said housing for self sealing when said obturator or said other surgical instrument is inserted through said cannula or when said obturator or said other surgical instrument is withdrawn from said cannula, d) an obturator slidably received in said handle housing for insertion through said cannula, and e) an obturator handle attached to said obturator.
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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) | 1997-07-18 | 1998-01-17 | 1998-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-18 | 2002-01-17 | 2002-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-18 | 2006-01-17 | 2006-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |