Pleated trocar seal
View Patent ↗A trocar seal comprising an elastomeric membrane having an opening adapted to receive a surgical instrument. The membrane is configured with a plurality of pleats circumscribing the opening and extending laterally from opening. The pleats comprise a plurality of pleat walls increasing in height as the pleats extend laterally from the opening. In one embodiment, the pleats are conically arranged.
1. A seal for endoscopic instruments, comprising an elastomeric membrane having an opening adapted to receive a surgical instrument, the opening centered about a longitudinal axis, said membrane being configured with a plurality of pleats circumscribing the opening and extending laterally from opening, said pleats comprising a plurality of pleats increasing in height along the longitudinal axis as the pleats extend laterally from the opening.
2. The seal of claim 1 , wherein the pleats are conically arranged.
3. The seal of claim 1 , further comprising a wall section circumscribing and connected to the pleats.
4. The seal of claim 3 , wherein the wall section is cylindrical.
5. The seal of claim 3 , further comprising a radial flange extending laterally from the wall section.
6. The seal of claim 3 , further comprising bellows circumscribing and connected to the wall section.
7. The seal of claim 1 , further comprising a lip defining the opening.
8. The seal of claim 1 , comprising only eight pleats.
9. A trocar comprising the seal of claim 1 .
10. A method for processing a trocar for surgery, comprising:
a) obtaining the trocar of claim 9 ;
b) sterilizing the trocar;
c) storing the trocar in a sterile container.
11. A trocar seal comprising:
a) a lip defining and an opening, said lip being adapted to sealingly engage a endoscopic surgical instrument; and
b) a plurality of conically arranged linear pleats circumscribing the lip and extending radially away from the lip comprising a plurality of medially tapering walls wherein the plurality of conically arranged linear pleats define a frusto-conical shape having a proximal slope greater than a distal slope.
12. A trocar comprising the seal of claim 11 positioned in a seal housing.
13. A method for processing a trocar for surgery, comprising:
a) obtaining the trocar of claim 12 ;
b) sterilizing the trocar; and
c) storing the trocar in a sterile container.
14. The trocar seal of claim 11 , further comprising a wall section circumscribing the pleats.
15. The trocar seal of claim 14 , further comprising bellows circumscribing the wall section.
16. The trocar seal of claim 14 , wherein the wall section has a cylindrical portion.