Seal assembly for accommodating introduction of surgical instruments

Abstract

A seal assembly is provided which includes a gimbal-like structure permitting rotation of a mounting member relative to the housing. The rotation of the mounting member allows the seal member to align with an instrument being inserted therethrough. The seal assembly is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly for use in endoscopic surgery.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to seal systems which are adapted to allow the introduction of surgical instrumentation into a patient's body. In particular, the invention is applicable to a cannula assembly wherein a cannula housing includes or is adapted to receive a seal assembly to sealingly accommodate instruments of different diameters inserted through the seal assembly and cannula.2. Description of the Related ArtIn laparoscopic procedures surgery is performed in the interior of the abdomen through a small incision; in endoscopic procedures surgery is performed in any hollow viscus of the body through narrow tubes or cannula inserted through a small entrance incision in the skin. Laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures generally require that any instrumentation inserted into the body be sealed, i.e. provisions must be made to ensure that gases do not enter or exit the body through the incision as, for example, in surgical procedures i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The movement of the mounting member relative to the housing which is accommodated by the gimbal-like structure of the present invention also facilitates seal maintenance once an instrument is being used within the body cavity. In particular, as an instrument is manipulated, the resilient seal member transversely repositions itself through movement of the mounting member relative to the housing, thereby ensuring that the resilient seal member maintains a fluid-tight seal around the instrument shaft.

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures often require the surgeon to act on organs, tissues, and vessels far removed from the incision, thereby requiring that any instruments used in such procedures be relatively long and narrow.

Although attempts have been made to provide a seal assembly as part of or for use in conjunction with a cannula assembly which maintains the integrity of the seal between the body cavity and the atmosphere outside the patient's body, seal systems provided to date have failed to address the full range of surgeons' needs, especially when it is desired to utilize different instruments having different diameters therethrough.

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