Ethicon, Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Robert C Uschold

Paul F Riestenberg

Roger L Hildwein

Laura A Gallagher

Rex Nagao

J D Staley, Jr

Kevin L Houser

Randy R Stephens

Richard C Smith

Kevin J Bailey

Kevin D Duffy

Anthony C Antonacci

Jeffrey Mauch

Crystal C Sorenson

A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Flexible endoscopic surgical port

Obturator for justing a flexible trocar tube

A reducer seal which fits within the cannula handle of the trocar. Contained on the reducer seal there is a seal retainer. Contained on the seal retainer there is a track and movable on the track there is a slide. The reducer track is attached to the trocar housing. The reducer seal retainer is attached to the slide and holds the reducer seal in place. The reducer slide then snaps onto the reducer track. In an 'open' position the reducer slide is held away from an opening in the reducer. Detents on the reducer track hold the reducer in this position. Transverse motion moves the reducer into an active or 'closed' position. The reducer seal slides into frictional engagement on the sealing surface of the reducer track. The reducer has a smaller diameter opening than the trocar cannula.

Sliding reducer seal for surgical trocar

Flexible encoscopic surgical port

A percutaneous catheter introducer having a tube with tube handle, a seal housing containing a seal, and a needle with a needle handle. The needle is extended through the seal housing and tube. The needle and tube are percutaneously inserted into an anatomical body cavity. The needle is removed and a catheter is inserted. The seal housing can be removed in order to use the tube for aspiration. Alternatively, the seal is positioned within the tube handle.

Percutaneous catheter introducer

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Robert C Uschold