Abstract: A surgical seal assembly which forms a seal about a surgical instrument thus preventing the leakage of fluids, gases and the like. The surgical seal assembly includes a valve with a reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer is preferably a woven fabric and an elastomeric material such as silicon or other similar material. The reinforcing layer expands proportionally with the insertion of the surgical instrument, is tear or puncture resistant and is designed to accommodate off axis alignment and insertion of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument valve assembly is provided with a valve seal where the upper portion of the valve seal is rigidly mounted to the body of the valve assembly. The lower portion of the valve seal is configured to allow some radial movement while the upper portion of the valve seal remains rigidly mounted within the valve assembly. The valve seal may be provided with stay that prevents the valve seal from inverting when an instrument in withdrawn from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A sleeve trocar for piercing tissue to provide a conduit to an internal body cavity insufflated by gas includes a generally tubular sleeve member having a cutting edge and a passageway therethrough. An obturator assembly is telescopically disposed within the sleeve member with the obturator assembly having a moveable portion and a stationary portion, each obturator portion having a blunt face projecting beyond the cutting edge. The present invention also includes a penetration indicator assembly which provides an audible sound upon breach of a body cavity wall.

Abstract: A device and method for retrieving specimens from a body cavity during minimally invasive surgery uses a specimen pouch that is deployable from an introducer inserted into the body cavity through a predefined passage such as a cannula. The specimen pouch includes a resilient band that causes the specimen pouch to open automatically and remain open after removal from the introducer. Once removed from the introducer, the specimen pouch is free-standing with no attachment to the introducer or to an externally operated closure mechanism. Closure and removal are accomplished using a conventional forceps or other instrument to grasp a portion of the band and withdraw the band and the opening of the pouch into the introducer. The pouch is configured so that withdrawal of the band into the introducer causes the material around the opening of the pouch to gather and seal the opening.

Abstract: A modular trocar assembly having a cannula, a passive valve seal assembly and an instrument seal assembly all releasably joined to define a central axial bore, where the passive valve seal assembly contains a valve seal which prevents passage of gas through the trocar assembly into the atmosphere when no instrument is inserted but which opens to allow for insertion of an instrument, and where the instrument seal assembly contains an instrument reducer seal which prevents passage of gas through the trocar assembly into the atmosphere when an instrument is inserted through the valve seal. The passive valve seal assembly and the instrument seal assembly are preferably composed of plastic so as to be disposable, while the cannula is preferably composed of a sterilizable material to enable reuse.

Abstract: A sleeve trocar having a coaxially mounted, spring biased internal obturator, where the obturator has one or more peripheral channels positioned around its periphery, the channels providing a gas flow path which allows gas to flow from the internal body cavity through the interior of the sleeve trocar and through a penetration indicator device, such that an audible sound is produced when the sleeve trocar has breached the internal cavity.

Abstract: A double valve seal to prevent escape of liquids or gases through a cannula, the seal having a diaphragm valve with a circular aperture to seal the cannula when an instrument is inserted and a spilt conical valve to seal the cannula when no instrument is present. A pair of diametrically opposed ribs are positioned beneath the end member and are aligned with the split in the conical valve so as to abut the open end of the cannula and act as pivot points to impart compressive force against the two halves of the conical valve to improve the effectiveness of the seal.

Abstract: An industrial gun which has an autofire mechanism which automatically pulls its own trigger in response to continued movement of a breech closing handle in the closing direction and the method of use of such a gun.

Abstract: An industrial shotgun is provided with a pistol type hand grip assembly, a remote trigger mechanism, and a hanging support bracket at approximately the center of mass of the industrial gun. The remote trigger mechanism includes a remote trigger coupled from the hand grip to the trigger through a horizontal linking bar. The trigger is disengaged from the remote trigger when the breech block is opened. The hand grip includes a dead man safety which prevents remote trigger actuation unless the thumb operated dead man safety is depressed and the breech block is fully closed.

Abstract: A low cost penetrator projectile is disclosed having a hard metal penetrator core with a generally hollow conical shape. The core is formed from low carbon steel in a series of progressive dies. The formed cores are then carburized and tempered to achieve a final Rockwell hardness of between about C50 and C55.

Abstract: An industrial shotgun is provided with a pistol type hand grip assembly, a remote trigger mechanism, and a hanging support bracket at approximately the center of mass of the industrial gun. The remote trigger mechanism includes a remote trigger coupled from the hand grip to the trigger through a horizontal linking bar. The trigger is disengaged from the remote trigger when the breech block is opened. The hand grip includes a dead man safety which prevents remote trigger actuation unless the thumb operated dead man safety is depressed and the breech block is fully closed.