Anti-inversion trocar seal

Abstract

The invention is directed to a trocar seal adapted to form a seal around a surgical instrument, the trocar seal comprising a housing having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and forming a working channel sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument; an elastomeric septum seal having a proximal face and a distal face, the septum seal being disposed in the housing and extending transverse to the axis of the housing across the working channel; portions of the septum seal defining a hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the surgical instrument so that during insertion of the instrument along the working channel the septum seal forms a seal with the instrument; and at least one structure formed integrally with or proximate to the septum seal to prevent inversion of the septum seal upon withdrawal of the surgical instrument. The septum seal or the housing may further comprise a sidewall to include the structure extending from the sidewall to the distal face of the seal to tether the seal distally. The structure may be integrally formed with the proximal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal, or the structure may be integrally formed with the distal face of the septum seal to tether the seal distally The structure may be an annular reinforcement or rib, and is formed so as to allow side-to-side movement or floatation of the seal. The trocar seal may further comprise a plurality of radially extending ribs formed on the proximal or distal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal. The trocar seal may further comprise a tensile element formed on the distal face of the septum seal.

1 . A trocar seal adapted to form a seal around a surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a housing having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and forming a working channel sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument;    an elastomeric septum seal having a proximal face and a distal face, the septum seal being disposed in the housing and extending transverse to the axis of the housing across the working channel;    portions of the septum seal defining a hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the surgical instrument so that during insertion of the instrument along the working channel the septum seal forms a seal with the instrument;    a zero closure valve, the zero closure valve in a non-contacting relationship with the portions of the septum seal defining the hole; and    at least one structure operationally coupled to the septum seal to prevent inversion of the septum seal upon withdrawal of the surgical instrument.    
   
   
       2 . The trocar seal of  claim 1 , wherein the septum seal comprises a sidewall including the structure extending from the sidewall to the distal face of the seal to tether the seal downward.  
   
   
       3 . The trocar seal of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a sidewall including the structure extending from the sidewall to the distal face of the seal to tether the seal downward.  
   
   
       4 . The trocar seal of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is integrally formed on the proximal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal.  
   
   
       5 . The trocar seal of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is integrally formed on the distal face of the septum seal to tether the distal face of the seal downward.  
   
   
       6 . The trocar seal of  claim 5 , wherein the structure is an annular reinforcement.  
   
   
       7 . The trocar seal of  claim 6 , wherein the annular reinforcement is formed so as not to prevent side-to-side movement or floatation of the seal.  
   
   
       8 . The trocar seal of  claim 4 , wherein the structure is an annular reinforcement.  
   
   
       9 . A trocar seal adapted to form a seal around a surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a housing having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and forming a working channel sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument;    an elastomeric septum seal having a proximal face and a distal face, the septum seal being disposed in the housing and extending transverse to the axis of the housing across the working channel;    portions of the septum seal defining a hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the surgical instrument so that during insertion of the instrument along the working channel the septum seal forms a seal with the instrument;    a zero closure valve, the zero closure valve in a non-contacting relationship with the portions of the septum seal defining the hole; and    at least one structure operationally coupled to the septum seal to prevent inversion of the septum seal upon withdrawal of the surgical instrument;    wherein the structure is an annular rib.    
   
   
       10 . The trocar seal of  claim 9 , wherein the annular rib is formed so as not to prevent floatation of the seal.  
   
   
       11 . The trocar seal of  claim 4 , wherein the structure is an annular rib.  
   
   
       12 . The trocar seal of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of radially extending ribs formed on the distal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal.  
   
   
       13 . The trocar seal of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of radially extending ribs are formed so as not to prevent floatation of the seal.  
   
   
       14 . The trocar seal of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of radially extending ribs formed on the proximal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal.  
   
   
       15 . The trocar seal of  claim 5 , further comprising a tensile element formed on the distal face of the septum seal.  
   
   
       16 . The trocar seal of  claim 15 , wherein the tensile element is formed from surgical suture, an elastomer, a thermoplastic, or a metal wire.  
   
   
       17 . The trocar seal of  claim 1 , wherein the structure includes any structure disposed distally of the septum seal and is placed in tension when the seal is moved proximally.  
   
   
       18 . The trocar seal of  claim 1 , wherein the structure includes any structure disposed proximally of the septum seal and is placed in compression when the seal is moved proximally.  
   
   
       19 . A trocar adapted to form a seal around a surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a cannula having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end;    a housing disposed at the proximal of the cannula and forming with the cannula a working channel sized and configured to receive the surgical instrument;    an elastomeric septum seal having a proximal face and a distal face, the septum seal being disposed in the housing and extending transverse to the axis of the cannula across the working channel;    portions of the septum seal defining a hole having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the surgical instrument so that during insertion of the instrument along the working channel the septum seal forms a seal with the instrument; and    a zero closure valve, the zero closure valve in a non-contacting relationship with the portions of the septum seal defining the hole; and    means for preventing inversion of the septum seal upon withdrawal of the surgical instrument.    
   
   
       20 . The trocar of  claim 19 , wherein the septum seal comprises a sidewall including the structure extending from the sidewall to the distal face of the seal to tether the seal downward  
   
   
       21 . The trocar of  claim 19 , wherein the housing comprises a sidewall including the structure extending from the sidewall to the distal face of the seal to tether the seal downward.  
   
   
       22 . The trocar of  claim 19 , wherein the structure is integrally formed on the proximal face of the septum seal to reinforce the seal.  
   
   
       23 . The trocar of  claim 19 , wherein the structure is integrally formed on the distal face of the septum seal to tether the distal face of the seal downward.  
   
   
       24 . The trocar of  claim 23 , wherein the structure is an annular reinforcement.  
   
   
       25 . The trocar of  claim 24 , wherein the annular reinforcement is formed so as not to prevent side-to-side movement or floatation of the seal.  
   
   
       26 - 36 . (canceled)