Trocar seal system

Abstract

A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A surgical access device for permitting insertion of a surgical object into body tissue, comprising:
 a housing;   a cannula extending from the housing configured and dimensioned for introduction into the body tissue, the cannula defining a longitudinal passage configured and dimensioned to permit insertion of the surgical object, and having proximal and distal ends;   a ring assembly mounted to the housing;   a seal member having proximal and distal faces and being at least partially positioned within the ring assembly, the seal member including an inner portion defining an expandable opening extending through the seal member configured and dimensioned to receive the surgical object; and   a friction reducing member positioned adjacent the proximal face of the seal member.   
     
     
         24 . The surgical access device of  claim 23 , wherein the inner portion of the seal member is conical in configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical access device of  claim 24 , wherein the inner portion of the seal member tapers inwardly in a distal direction. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical access device of  claim 23 , wherein the friction reducing member is disc-shaped in configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical access device of  claim 26 , wherein the friction reducing member includes one or more layers of fabric. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical access device of  claim 27 . wherein the friction reducing member includes a membrane. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical access device of  claim 28 , wherein the membrane includes a friction reducing coating. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical access device of  claim 27 , wherein the friction reducing member includes a first layer of fabric positioned adjacent the proximal face of the seal member, and a second layer of fabric positioned adjacent the distal face of the seal member. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical access device of  claim 23 , wherein the ring assembly includes first and second ring members connected in a snap fit arrangement. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical access device of  claim 31 , wherein the first ring member is positioned adjacent the proximal face of the seal member and the second ring member is positioned adjacent the distal face of the seal member. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical access device of  claim 32 , wherein the first ring member includes at least one hole and at least one post, and the second ring member includes at least one hole and at least one post, the at least one post of the first ring member being insertable into the at least one hole of the second ring member, and the at least one post of the second ring member being insertable into the at least one hole of the first ring member. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical access device of  claim 23 , further including a resilient member extending radially outward from the ring assembly such that the resilient member is positioned between the ring assembly and the housing. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical access device of  claim 34 , wherein the resilient member is sinusoidal in configuration. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical access device of  claim 34 , wherein the resilient member and the seal member include the same material. 
     
     
         37 . A seal assembly for use during a surgical procedure, the seal assembly comprising:
 a ring assembly;   a seal member having proximal and distal faces and being at least partially positioned within the ring assembly, the seal member including an inner portion defining an aperture extending through the seal member adapted to expand from a first open condition to an expanded second open condition upon insertion of a surgical object; and   a friction reducing member positioned adjacent the proximal face of the seal member.   
     
     
         38 . The seal assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the inner portion of the seal member is conical in configuration. 
     
     
         39 . The seal assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the inner portion of the seal member tapers inwardly in a distal direction. 
     
     
         40 . The seal assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the friction reducing member is disc shaped in configuration. 
     
     
         41 . The seal assembly of  claim 41 , wherein the friction reducing member is formed as one or more layers of fabric. 
     
     
         42 . The seal assembly of  claim 41 , wherein the friction reducing member includes a friction reducing coating.