Surgical sealing element, surgical seal and surgical sealing system

Abstract

A surgical sealing element, for example, for a trocar and/or for sealing shafts of elongated surgical instruments during insertion into a human or animal body, is provided. The surgical sealing element comprises a flexible wall closed annularly, the wall comprising a first edge and a second edge, and an opening for a shaft of a surgical instrument, the opening being variable in diameter and limited by the first edge. In a sealing position, the wall is folded with fold lines extending in a direction towards the first edge in such a manner that the first edge defines a wave line.

1 . Surgical sealing element, comprising:
 a flexible wall closed annularly, the wall comprising a first edge and a second edge;   an opening for a shaft of a surgical instrument, the opening being variable in diameter and limited by the first edge;   wherein in a sealing position the wall is folded with fold lines extending in a direction towards the first edge in such a manner that the first edge defines a wave line.   
     
     
         2 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sealing element defines a longitudinal axis; and   the opening is oriented transversely or essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         3 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wave line is located on a cylindrical surface; and   the cylindrical surface is oriented concentrically to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         4 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein in a basic position the sealing element takes up the sealing position, the opening having a minimum diameter in said basic position. 
     
     
         5 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 4 , wherein:
 the sealing element has in the basic position a wall folded in the direction towards the first edge in a wave-like manner without kinks; and   the first edge defines a wave line located on a cylindrical surface.   
     
     
         6 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the wave line has wave peaks above a plane of opening of the opening extending at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the sealing element and wave troughs below the plane of opening. 
     
     
         7 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein, in each of a plurality of sealing positions with respectively different diameters of the opening, the wall is folded in the direction of the first edge in such a manner that the first edge defines a respective wave line located completely on a cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         8 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein in a maximum opening position, the wall being free from folds and a diameter of the opening being at a maximum in said position, a diameter of the first edge is at the most as great as a diameter of the second edge. 
     
     
         9 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first edge is designed in the form of a sealing lip. 
     
     
         10 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first edge bears a sealing lip. 
     
     
         11 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second edge is shaped and formed in such a manner that it is located completely in a plane extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the sealing element. 
     
     
         12 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second edge is shaped and formed in such a manner that it is adapted to be secured to a frame or a holder of a trocar. 
     
     
         13 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a non-flexible holder is provided; and   the second edge is held in or on the non-flexible holder.   
     
     
         14 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is provided at least partially with a coating reducing friction. 
     
     
         15 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second edge is turned over in the direction or essentially in the direction towards the first edge and wherein a sealing surface is formed in an area of the second edge, said sealing surface pointing away from the first edge. 
     
     
         16 . Surgical sealing element as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a flange pointing radially or essentially radially away from a longitudinal axis of the sealing element is formed, arranged or integrally formed in an area of the second edge. 
     
     
         17 . Surgical seal, comprising:
 two essentially identical, oppositely disposed sealing elements;   each sealing element comprising:   a flexible wall closed annularly, the wall comprising a first edge and a second edge; and   an opening for a shaft of a surgical instrument, the opening being variable in diameter and limited by the first edge;   wherein:
 in a sealing position each wall is folded with fold lines extending in a direction towards the respective first edge in such a manner that the respective first edge defines a wave line; 
 the respective openings of each of the sealing elements are aligned; and 
 in the sealing position wave peaks of the wave line defined by the first edge of one of the sealing elements engage in wave troughs of the wave line defined by the first edge of the other of the sealing elements. 
   
     
     
         18 . Surgical seal as defined in  claim 17 , wherein:
 the sealing elements define a longitudinal axis;   the opening is oriented transversely or essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis; and   the wave line is located on a cylindrical surface.   
     
     
         19 . Surgical seal as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the respective first edges of the sealing elements are connected to one another. 
     
     
         20 . Surgical seal as defined in  claim 17 , wherein each of the wave lines has wave peaks above a plane of opening of the opening extending at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the seal and wave troughs below the plane of opening. 
     
     
         21 . Surgical sealing system, comprising:
 a trocar having an insertion opening; and   a surgical sealing element closing the insertion opening at least partially and having an opening, said surgical sealing element being designed for sealing shafts of elongated surgical instruments during insertion into the human or animal body, the surgical sealing element comprising:   a flexible wall closed annularly, the wall comprising a first edge and a second edge; and   an opening for a shaft of a surgical instrument, the opening being variable in diameter and limited by the first edge;   wherein in a sealing position the wall is folded with fold lines extending in a direction towards the first edge in such a manner that the first edge defines a wave line.   
     
     
         22 . Surgical sealing system as defined in  claim 21 , wherein:
 the sealing element defines a longitudinal axis;   the opening is oriented transversely or essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis; and   the wave line is located on a cylindrical surface.   
     
     
         23 . Surgical sealing system, comprising:
 a trocar having an insertion opening; and   a surgical seal closing the insertion opening at least partially and having an opening, said surgical seal being designed for sealing shafts of elongated surgical instruments during insertion into the human or animal body, wherein the seal comprises:
 two essentially identical, oppositely disposed sealing elements; 
 each sealing element comprising:
 a flexible wall closed annularly, the wall comprising a first edge and a second edge; and 
 an opening for a shaft of a surgical instrument, the opening being variable in diameter and limited by the first edge; 
 
 wherein:
 in a sealing position each wall is folded with fold lines extending in a direction towards the respective first edge in such a manner that the respective first edge defines a wave line; 
 the respective openings of each of the sealing elements are aligned; and 
 in the sealing position wave peaks of the wave line defined by the first edge of one of the sealing elements engage in wave troughs of the wave line defined by the first edge of the other of the sealing elements. 
 
   
     
     
         24 . Surgical sealing system as defined in  claim 23 , wherein:
 the sealing elements define a longitudinal axis;   the opening is oriented transversely or essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis; and   the wave line is located on a cylindrical surface.   
     
     
         25 . Surgical sealing system as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the respective first edges of the sealing elements are connected to one another. 
     
     
         26 . Surgical sealing system as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the wave line has wave peaks above a plane of opening of the opening extending at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the seal and wave troughs below the plane of opening.