Abstract: A trocar system for endoscopic surgery, cap assembly, and related methods are provided. The cap assembly includes a valve housing with an opening formed in line with an axis of the valve housing and also includes a valve positioned adjacent the opening of the valve housing. The valve body includes a proximal valve section including a valve ring positioned within the valve housing, and a distal valve section extending axially from the proximal valve section. The distal valve section includes a valve extension having a proximal and distal end portions, and a substantially conically shaped medial portion connected to and extending therebetween, wherein a plurality of friction-reduction features, preferably tear-drop shaped knobs, are disposed proximate the distal end portion and extending a distance in the medial portion of the valve.

Abstract: A trocar system for endoscopic surgery, cap assembly, and related methods are provided. The cap assembly includes a housing with an opening formed in line with an axis of the housing. The cap assembly also includes a variable opening flexible sealing gland having a stack of valve body sections each including a valve extension extending from a valve ring and having a valve opening and a slit extending between a valve opening and the valve ring. The combination of the individual valve body sections forms a substantially conically shaped iris diaphragm portion of the sealing gland. The iris is positioned to individually and separately receive elongate tools so that when any one of the elongate tools is positioned through the valve opening, a seal is maintained between peripheries of the seal gland surrounding the iris and outer peripheries of the inserted elongate tool.

Abstract: A trocar system for endoscopic surgery, cap assembly, and related methods are provided. The cap assembly includes a valve housing with an opening formed in line with an axis of the valve housing. The cap assembly also includes a valve positioned adjacent the opening of the valve housing. The valve includes a valve body with an annular-shaped valve opening for receiving elongate tools with differing diameters so that a seal is maintained between the valve opening and any of the plurality of elongate tools. The valve body includes a proximal valve section including a valve ring and positioned within the valve housing and includes a distal valve section extending axially from the proximal valve section. The distal valve section includes a valve extension having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a substantially conically shaped medial portion connected to and extending therebetween.

Abstract: A trocar system is provided which preferably includes a cannula having an elongate cannula body. The cannula body includes medial and distal portions thereof having a first diameter and a proximal portion thereof connected to the medial portion and having a second diameter. The second diameter is preferably larger or greater than the first diameter. A trocar having an elongate trocar body also extends through the cannula. The elongate trocar body has a sharpened distal end portion, a medial portion thereof having a first diameter, and a proximal portion having a second diameter. The second diameter is preferably larger or greater than the first diameter.