| Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar -> Monitor Keywords |
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Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocarRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Instruments, Cutting, Puncturing Or PiercingValve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060020281, Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/380,942, which is a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/US01/31911, filed Oct. 12, 2001, which claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/240,506, filed Oct. 13, 2000, the entire contents of each application being hereby incorporated by their entireties by reference herein. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for controlling the operable inside diameter of a passageway through a valve assembly of a trocar housing. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a diameter reduction structure that restricts the movement of small surgical instruments and. accommodates large diameter surgical instruments in the passageway of a trocar housing to facilitate the maintenance of a gas tight seal formed by the valve assembly. [0004] 2. Background of Related Art [0005] Trocar valve assemblies preferably provide a fluid tight seal about a surgical instrument introduced through the trocar during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A typical valve assembly includes an outer seal, which can be fixed or floating, in combination with additional inner seals. Fixed outer seals are limited by their ability to sustain a seal when a smaller surgical instrument is moved off-axis relative to a central axis of the trocar. Fixed seals are also limited by their ability to sustain their integrity when the surgical instrument is angulated. Such extreme ranges of motion of smaller diameter surgical instruments within the cannula can create a "cat eye" or crescent shaped gap in the fixed seal that can result in a loss of seal integrity. Additional problems include the flexibility of the seal in maintaining its integrity when both small diameter and large diameter surgical instruments are used. [0006] Devices to restrict the diameter of a passageway in a trocar housing generally require an additional mechanism to be positioned on the proximal end of the trocar housing that restricts the range of motion of small surgical instruments. These diameter reducing devices, however, typically employ additional seals and/or structures that require adjustments by the user to accommodate different sized surgical instruments, thereby complicating the surgical process. [0007] A continuing need exists for a diameter reducing structure that can limit parallel off-axis as well as angular movements of small diameter surgical instruments and accommodate larger diameter surgical instruments without external adjustments. SUMMARY [0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a surgical seal assembly includes a sleeve housing connected to a surgical sleeve, a seal housing including a seal member having inner portions adapted to permit passage of a surgical instrument in substantial sealed relation therewith, and a manual lock member movably mounted to the sleeve housing. The manual lock member is adapted for movement relative to the seal housing between a first position corresponding to a release position of the seal housing to permit detachment of the seal housing from the sleeve housing and a second position corresponding to a lock position of the seal housing to secure the seal housing to the sleeve housing. The manual lock member is preferably adapted for rotational movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the seal housing to move between the first and second positions thereof. [0009] The manual lock member may include an annular member having at least one locking surface adapted to engage at least one corresponding locking tab of the seal housing upon movement of the manual lock member to the second position. The annular member defines a central aperture for permitting passage of the object. Preferably, the annular member defines a plurality of mounting recesses adjacent the central aperture and the seal housing has a plurality of locking tabs corresponding to the mounting recesses. The mounting recesses are in general alignment with the locking tabs of the seal housing when in the first position of the manual lock member to receive the locking tabs. The mounting recesses are thereafter displaced from the locking tabs upon movement of the manual lock member to the second position thereof. The manual lock member may include a manual grip member depending radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal housing. The manual grip member is dimensioned and configured for engagement by the surgeon. [0010] The surgical seal assembly may include at least two stand-off elements mounted within the seal housing distal of the seal member. The stand-off elements are adapted for pivotal movement between an initial position and a pivoted position to permit passage of the surgical object. The stand-off elements may be normally biased to the initial position to restrict off-axis movement of the surgical object with respect to a longitudinal axis of the seal housing. The at least two stand-off elements are preferably operatively coupled such that movement of at least one of the stand-off elements between the initial and pivoted positions causes corresponding movement of the other stand-off: elements. [0011] The sleeve housing may be adapted for connection to a cannula housing of a cannula assembly. [0012] In another preferred embodiment, a surgical system includes a cannula assembly including a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The cannula sleeve defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal passageway to permit passage of a surgical instrument. The surgical system further includes a surgical seal assembly incorporating first and second seal subassemblies. The first seal subassembly includes a first housing having a seal member defining inner portions adapted to permit passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith. The second seal subassembly includes a second housing adapted for mounting to the cannula housing. A manual lock member is adapted for movement between a first position corresponding to a release position of the first subassembly to permit removal of the first subassembly from mounting to the second subassembly, and a second position corresponding to a lock position of the first subassembly to secure the first subassembly to the second subassembly. Preferably, the second subassembly includes the manual lock member. [0013] The manual lock member may be adapted for rotational movement relative to the longitudinal axis to move between the first and second positions thereof. One of the first and second seal assemblies includes a locking latch and the other of the first and second seal subassemblies includes a corresponding locking surfaces. The locking latch and the locking surface cooperate to secure the first seal subassembly to the second seal subassembly upon movement of the manual lock member to the second position thereof. The other of the first and second seal subassemblies includes a locking recess dimensioned for receiving the locking latch when the manual lock member is in the first position whereby upon rotation of the manual lock member to the second position the locking latch cooperatively engages the locking surface. Preferably, the first seal subassembly includes the locking latch and the second seal subassembly includes the locking recess and the locking surface. The first seal subassembly preferably includes a plurality of locking latches and the second seal subassembly includes a plurality corresponding locking recesses for receiving the locking latches. [0014] The second subassembly may include a zero closure valve adapted to open to permit passage of the surgical instrument and to substantially close in the absence of the surgical instrument. [0015] A method for performing a surgical procedure is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of: [0016] providing an access assembly including an access housing and an access sleeve operatively connected to the access housing; [0017] mounting a seal assembly to the access housing with the seal assembly including a seal housing and a seal member mounted relative to the seal housing, the seal member including inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about a surgical object introduced therethrough; and [0018] securing the seal housing relative to the access housing by moving a manual lock member associated with the access housing to cause corresponding structure of the access housing and the seal housing to cooperatively engage in secured relation therewith. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed trocar diameter reduction structures for trocar are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: [0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a valve assembly and diameter reduction structure for trocars constructed in accordance with the present disclosure; [0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly and diameter reduction structure of FIG. 1; [0022] FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of a proximal end portion of the valve assembly and diameter reduction structure of FIG. 1; [0023] FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of the valve assembly and diameter reduction structure of FIG. 3 partially disassembled showing a diameter reduction structure positioned in a diameter reduction structure foundation element; Continue reading about Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar... Full patent description for Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Surgical cutting device Next Patent Application: Surgical tool system Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Valve assembly including diameter reduction structure for trocar patent info. 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