Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for reception of an elongated surgical instrument, which comprises a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner, the seal member further including a peripheral flange element which contacts a surface of the body to form a contact seal therewith; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. The seal assembly may further include a coating applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for reception of an elongated surgical instrument, which comprises a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner, the seal member further including a peripheral flange element which contacts a surface of the body to form a contact seal therewith; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. The seal assembly may further include a coating applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein.

Abstract: A surgical access apparatus includes an access member dimensioned for insertion within tissue and having a longitudinal opening to permit introduction of a surgical object through the access member to perform a procedure on underlying tissue. A seal member is mounted across the longitudinal opening of the access member and has an internal portion defining an aperture for forming a substantial seal about the surgical object introduced through the longitudinal opening of the access member.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use with an access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis, an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall defines a longitudinal opening to permit passage of instrumentation through the seal housing. A gimbal mount is at least partially accommodated within a space defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the seal housing. The gimbal mount includes a seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of a surgical instrument. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument while substantially maintaining the sealed reception of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A right angle clip applier apparatus including a distal clip applying mechanism and a proximal advancing mechanism positioned in a handle assembly. The clip applying mechanism includes a feed rod interfacing with a cartridge for the advancing and applying of clips on tissue portions. A plurality of clips are enclosed in the apparatus. The advancing mechanism is actuated by a lever in the handle assembly which creates a drive force that repositions the feed rod and clips. Each actuation of the lever applies a first clip and advances clips to a new position in a distal direction. The clip applying mechanism can be utilized at any angle and can be rotated through 360 degrees while holding the handle in a fixed position. An empty clip indicator is provided.

Abstract: A molded trocar latch apparatus for locking a safety shield in position is described. The molded latch includes a trocar housing and a shield. The housing has a first monolithically formed cap and a monolithically formed base. A latch mechanism, including a slider and a latch, may be monolithically formed with either the base or the cap of the housing. The slider and the latch are operatively connected to move the latch between a locked and an unlocked position. The latch in the locked position is configured to engage a ledge on the shield and at least stop further proximal movement of the shield that could unintentionally expose the blade of the trocar.

Abstract: A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for reception of an elongated surgical instrument, which comprises a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner, the seal member further including a peripheral flange element which contacts a surface of the body to form a contact seal therewith; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. The seal assembly may further include a coating applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for reception of an elongated surgical instrument, which comprises a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner, the seal member further including a peripheral flange element which contacts a surface of the body to form a contact seal therewith; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. The seal assembly may further include a coating applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein.

Abstract: A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.

Abstract: A surgical access device for permitting introduction of instrumentation within tissue, includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, a first peripheral projection disposed on an outer wall of the elongate member and defining a proximal ledge dimensioned to resist movement of the elongate member in a first longitudinal direction corresponding to a withdrawal direction of the elongate member with respect to the tissue, a second peripheral projection disposed on the outer wall of the elongate member proximal of the first peripheral projection and defining a distal ledge dimensioned to resist movement of the elongate member in a second longitudinal direction corresponding to an insertion direction of the elongate member with respect to the tissue whereby the first and second peripheral projections cooperate to retain the elongate member within the tissue.

Abstract: A trocar system including a cannula and an obturator assembly being at least partially insertable through the cannula. The obturator assembly including a housing, a penetrating tip disposed at a distal end, an elongated shield including a guard extending from a shaft are movable relative to the penetrating tip, and a latch mechanism disposed generally within the housing. The latch mechanism facilitates changing the configuration of the obturator assembly between a fixed-shield orientation, wherein at least a portion of the guard is maintained to extend at least partially distal of the penetrating tip to prevent puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip, to a non-fixed shield orientation whereby upon application of force to the distal end of the obturator assembly, the guard and penetrating tip are permitted to move relative one another to facilitate puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip.

Abstract: A trocar system including a cannula and an obturator assembly being at least partially insertable through the cannula. The obturator assembly including a housing, a penetrating tip disposed at a distal end, an elongated shield including a guard extending from a shaft are movable relative to the penetrating tip, and a latch mechanism disposed generally within the housing. The latch mechanism facilitates changing the configuration of the obturator assembly between a fixed-shield orientation, wherein at least a portion of the guard is maintained to extend at least partially distal of the penetrating tip to prevent puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip, to a non-fixed shield orientation whereby upon application of force to the distal end of the obturator assembly, the guard and penetrating tip are permitted to move relative one another to facilitate puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip.