Abstract: A seal assembly used in combination with a trocar assembly to maintain sealing engagement with the exterior surface of medical instrument, which may have different size diameters, introduced into the trocar assembly so as to maintain adequate insufflation pressure within a body cavity accessed by the trocar assembly. The seal assembly includes a seal member and is structured to permit free movement of the seal member at least radially within a chamber of a seal housing which may be attached to or part of the trocar housing. The seal member and the sealing chamber are cooperatively dimensioned to maintain at least the periphery of an outer surface of the seal member in surrounding relation to an inlet port of the chamber and thereby maintain seal engagement between corresponding interior surfaces of the chamber and the corresponding outer surfaces of the seal member.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for retaining a cannula or other medical instrument within a body cavity and including an inflatable member selectively disposed between an expanded position and a collapsed position. A mounting assembly is cooperatively disposed and structured with a base, underlying the inflatable member, so as to mechanically attach the inflatable member to an exterior of the cannula. The mechanical attachment is accomplished by one or more retaining segments on the inflatable member being disposed in a compressed or sandwiched orientation between the base and the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating instrument of the type used in the medical field and which may or may not be embodied in the form of an obturator associated with a trocar assembly, wherein the instrument includes an elongated shaft having a penetrating tip mounted on one end thereof. The penetrating tip includes a base secured to the one end of the shaft and a distal extremity spaced longitudinally outward from the base and formed into an apex which may be defined by a point or other configuration specifically structured to facilitate penetration or puncturing of bodily tissue. The apex may be substantially aligned with a linear extension of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft or alternatively, may be spaced laterally outward or off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A trocar assembly structured to regulate fluid flow as well as the introduction of predetermined medical instrumentation into and out of a body cavity of a patient during a surgical procedure such as, but not limited to laparoscopy, endoscopy, etc. The trocar assembly includes a housing having a hollow interior secured at one end to an elongated open ended sleeve through which fluid flow and medical instrumentation passes. A valve assembly includes a valve member disposed within the hollow interior and a valve structure including a valve seat rotatably connected to the housing such that the valve seat is selectively rotatable relative to the valve member and into and out of fluid sealing engagement therewith so as to respectively define a valve-closed position and a valve-open position.

Abstract: A tissue penetrating instrument of the type used in the medical field and which may or may not be embodied in the form of an obturator associated with a trocar assembly, wherein the instrument includes an elongated shaft having a penetrating tip mounted on one end thereof. The penetrating tip includes a base secured to the one end of the shaft and a distal extremity spaced longitudinally outward from the base and formed into an apex which may be defined by a point or other configuration specifically structured to facilitate penetration or puncturing of bodily tissue. The apex may be substantially aligned with a linear extension of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft or alternatively, may be spaced laterally outward or off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A catheter introducer adapted to facilitate insertion of a catheter into a patient without requiring a large aperture be made in the patient wherethrough a separate catheter may be inserted; the catheter introducer includes an elongate narrow wire adapted to pass through the catheter and be sufficiently long so as to protrude from an open distal end of the catheter, the wire being adapted to receive an electrical current charge therethrough so as to energize a protruding tip region of the wire and facilitate direct insertion of the catheter into the patient.

Abstract: A cholangiogram catheter having a distally reinforced headed end zone, the cholangiogram catheter being of a polypropylene tubular length; and the headed end zone has an intermediate zone between the distal end and the main length which is of reduced outside diameter relative to the headed tip and the main length and which is reinforced by a rigid support tube of needlestock.

Abstract: Thin-walled elongated tubular products are individually formed utilizing injection molding of a plastic melt into a mold cavity having an elongated core pin maintained in substantially centered relation on the interior thereof through the application of tension continuously being applied coaxially to the core pin. Multi-unit or mass production techniques include use of a plurality of mold cavities each successively subjected to receiving a hot plastic melt injection wherein the resulting formed product is, through successive steps, removed from the mold cavity, trimmed, separated from the core pin, and possibly further processed for depositing in collection facilities or transferred to other processing steps.

Abstract: A package assembly designed to removably contain an elongated product wherein the product may particularly be a medical product such as a catheter or like instrument incorporating a sharp point end. The package is structured to provide secure storage of the medical product in a sterile environment prior to opening, clear exposure to a portion of the product for grasping and removal thereof and reinsertion of the product and enclosing thereof, so as to ensure safety in the disposal of the product by effectively enclosing the portion thereof incorporating a pointed needle end thereby avoiding inadvertent harm during or after the packaged product has been disposed.

Abstract: A process for applying tension to the extending ends of a thin wire core of a mold to apply tension to the core during the molding process to maintain alignment of the core at all times during the molding process. Also included is apparatus for carrying out the process. Also included is a generally tubular part having a fine diameter hole therethrough.

Abstract: A flashback structure of the type primarily designed to be used in combination with a catheter assembly and more specifically structured to provide clear visual indication of blood flow along a circuitous path of fluid flow which is indicative of proper placement of the sharpened tip of a needle in a blood vessel. Blood flow is retained within the path of fluid flow by a cover sleeve disposed in covering relation to the flow path.

Abstract: The injection molding of an elongated thin-walled tubular product such as a medical catheter is accomplished through the mounting of an elongated core pin on the interior of an elongated mold cavity wherein tension is continuously applied to the core pin for the purpose of maintaining it in a predetermined, substantially centered relation to the mold cavity and further maintaining a straight line configuration of the core pin along its length. The plastic material from which the product is formed is introduced into the mold cavity while at the same time overcoming any imbalance in the flow of the plastic melt into the mold cavity and as it travels in surrounding relation to the core pin and along its length by adjusting the position of the core pin relative to the inner surface of the mold cavity.