Ethicon, Gmbh

Leslie R Ashmore

C Daniel Rowe

Richard F Schwemberger

Michael S Banik

Randy R Stephens

George E Selecman

John M Collins

Norman F Schuler

Chad C Carroll

Trocar assembly devices are disclosed that include an improved elastomeric seal member to maintain sealing engagement during off-centering or radial motion of instruments extending therethrough. The seal members include an inner section and an outer section. The inner section has an opening formed therein to permit an elongate instrument to pass therethrough in sealing engagement therewith. In accordance with certain embodiments, a corrugated portion is formed in the outer section. In accordance with certain embodiments an annular floating ring separates the inner section from the outer section.

Seal members for surgical trocars

Trocar assembly embodiments are disclosed that include a trocar tube and a housing defining a chamber adjoining a proximal end portion of the trocar tube. An elastomeric seal member is positioned within the chamber for sealing the chamber as an elongate instrument passes through an opening formed in the seal member. A seal/protector assembly is positioned in the chamber proximally of the seal member in facing relationship to the seal member. The protector assembly includes at least two axially aligned protector members, each of which has an annular collar portion and at least one leaf portion formed integrally with the collar portion so as to form a living hinge portion. The leaf portions define an opening therethrough in axial alignment with the opening in the seal member. Insertion of an elongate instrument into contact with the leaf portions causes them to pivot distally increasing the size of the opening formed thereby permitting the instrument to pass therethrough and through the opening in the seal member without causing damage to the seal member.

Trocar seal/protector assemblies

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Maineville, OH, United States of America

Leslie R Ashmore