Visual insufflation port

Abstract

A visual insufflation obturator is provided. The obturator includes seals, valves, screens and/or various other tip features to eliminate the ingress of fluids, matter and/or gas that can disrupt the visual field of the laparoscope disposed within the obturator. The obturator provides additional features such as lens and anti-fog features to further increase visibility of the scope, efficiently insufflate the patient and ultimately provide an access channel into the insufflated abdomen once the visual insufflation obturator is removed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical access device comprising an insufflation obturator comprising:
 an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a body lumen extending from the proximal end of the elongate body to the distal end of the elongate body;   a tapered tip at the distal end of the elongate body and having a tip cavity, the tip cavity being interconnected with the body lumen; the tip having an inner surface and an outer surface defining a tip wall; the tip including an insufflation vent hole extending across the tip wall through the outer surface and the inner surface and into the tip cavity interconnecting the tip cavity with outside of the tip;   an insufflation gas pathway defined from the proximal end of the elongate body and out through the vent hole for the delivery of insufflation gas; and   an umbrella valve comprising a stem connected to an enlarged head; the umbrella valve being located adjacent to the vent hole; at least a portion of the umbrella valve being movable with respect to the tip between a first position in which the head completely seals the vent hole and a second position permitting insufflation gas flow out through the vent hole.   
     
     
         22 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the vent hole and umbrella valve are substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         23 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         24 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the head of the umbrella valve is resident outside the obturator and sized and configured to cover the vent hole when in the first position. 
     
     
         25 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the stem is elastomeric and configured to elongate under pressure of insufflation gas delivered into the insufflation gas pathway permitting insufflation gas to flow out through the vent hole. 
     
     
         26 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve is internally positioned proximal to a perpendicular or longitudinal vent hole. 
     
     
         27 . The obturator of  claim 26  wherein the umbrella valve covers one or more intermediate flow channels. 
     
     
         28 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve is flush with the distal end of the obturator. 
     
     
         29 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve moves distally relative to the tip when exposed to the pressure of insufflation gas. 
     
     
         30 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve moves distally unblocking the vent holes when exposed to the pressure of insufflation gas. 
     
     
         31 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the elastomeric stem runs through central axial hole of the obturator. 
     
     
         32 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve prevents the ingress of moisture into the obturator when in the first position. 
     
     
         33 . The obturator of  claim 21  wherein the umbrella valve is transparent. 
     
     
         34 . The obturator of  claim 21  further including a handle connected to the proximal end of the elongate body. 
     
     
         35 . A surgical access device comprising an insufflation obturator comprising:
 an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a body lumen extending from the proximal end of the elongate body to the distal end of the elongate body;   a tapered tip at the distal end of the elongate body and having a tip cavity, the tip cavity being interconnected with the body lumen; the tip having an inner surface and an outer surface defining a tip wall; the tip including an insufflation vent hole extending across the tip wall through the outer surface and the inner surface and into the tip cavity interconnecting the tip cavity with outside of the tip; the vent hole being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;   an insufflation gas pathway defined from the proximal end of the elongate body and out through the vent hole for the delivery of insufflation gas; and   a flapper valve located adjacent to the vent hole.   
     
     
         36 . The obturator of  claim 35  the flapper valve includes a hinged flapper door. 
     
     
         37 . The obturator of  claim 36  wherein the flapper valve is configured such that the flapper door remains closed during traversal of the obturator across a body wall and under pressure from the insufflation gas, the flapper door opens. 
     
     
         38 . A surgical access device comprising an insufflation obturator comprising:
 an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a body lumen extending from the proximal end of the elongate body to the distal end of the elongate body;   a tapered tip at the distal end of the elongate body and having a tip cavity, the tip cavity being interconnected with the body lumen; the tip having an inner surface and an outer surface defining a tip wall; the tip including an insufflation vent hole extending across the tip wall through the outer surface and the inner surface and into the tip cavity interconnecting the tip cavity with outside of the tip;   an insufflation gas pathway defined from the proximal end of the elongate body and out through the vent hole for the delivery of insufflation gas; and   an elastomeric valve covering the vent hole.   
     
     
         39 . The obturator of  claim 38  wherein the elastomeric valve is over-molded to cover the vent hole. 
     
     
         40 . The obturator of  claim 38  wherein the elastomeric valve includes at least one slit that is normally closed and opens under pressure.