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.

Trocar seal system

This invention is a trocar (10) having a working channel extending along an axis (11) between a distal end and a proximal end that includes a cannula (14) at the distal end and a housing (12) at the proximal end defining a working channel of the trocar. A valve (32) disposed in the working channel separates the trocar (10) into regions proximal (45) of the valve (32) and regions distal (43) of the valve (32). The valve includes elastomeric means (50, 101) forming a first seal that is openly closable across the working channel. A wall (56) of the valve (32) extends radially outwardly of the elastomeric means (50, 101) and forms a second seal with the housing (12). The trocar also includes means (216) for defining a passage extending from regions exterior of the trocar through the regions proximal of the valve (32) and into the regions distal of the valve (32). Valve means (154) disposed across this passage controls the administration of fluid through the passage and into the working channel of the cannula.

Trocar valve assembly

A trocar having a working channel extending between a distal end and a proximal end is adapted for disposition across a body wall. A valve is disposed in the working channel so that an instrument inserted into the working channel extends through the valve resulting in undesirable friction forces. The valve is provided with a first wall which intersects a second wall to define a contact surface with an area less than the combined area of the first wall and second wall. This surface provides a substantially reduced contact with the instrument thereby reducing the friction forces and facilitating movement of the instrument through the working channel. An associated method includes the step of orienting the first wall and the second wall to provide the contact surface with the configuration of a line.

Seal assembly for access device

Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow in one or more lung regions that are supplied fluid through one or more collateral pathways. An identified region of the lung is targeted for volume reduction or collapse. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to inhibit air from flowing into the targeted lung region through bronchial pathways that directly feed air to the targeted lung region. If the targeted lung region does not collapse after bronchially isolating the targeted lung region, then it is possible that a collateral pathway is feeding air to the targeted lung region, thereby preventing the targeted lung region from collapsing. In such a case, the collateral pathway is identified and air flow into the targeted lung region via the collateral pathway is reduced or eliminated.

Methods and devices for inducing collapse in lung regions fed by collateral pathways

An adaptable seal for use in a trocar or trocar converter is provided The seal comprises a membrane having a radially proximal edge and a radially distal edge, at least one lobe terminating at said band, and preferably a band located at the radially proximal edge The seal is thus able to adaptably receive surgical instruments of various diameters The seal may further comprise means for forming a fluid-tight seal between the upper surface and the lower surface of the seal when an elongated object is received through an aperture in the seal, and at least one trough or wall A seal according to the present invention is able to accommodate radial movement of the surgical instrument within the cannula of a trocar A trocar and a trocar converter also fall within the purview of the present invention

Seal for surgical instruments

The present invention is directed to an inversion-resistant tide gate valve comprising a generally tubular sleeve bounding a longitudinally-extending flow-through passage for fluids, the sleeve having an upstream fluid inlet end region adapted to be affixed to an effluent conduit and a downstream fluid outlet region, the downstream fluid outlet region of the sleeve being integrally formed with a longitudinally-extending trough, where the trough is formed of an integral bottom wall and an integral pair of side walls A disc is affixed along a first portion of its periphery with a flexible member to the downstream fluid outlet region of the sleeve, and a second portion of the periphery of the disc opposite the first portion rests within the trough on the bottom wall of the trough A bill associated with the disc and extending longitudinally downstream along the longitudinal axis of the trough rests on the trough when the valve is in its closed position, the bill forming a seal between the disc and the bottom wall of the trough during periods of back flow The tide gate valve of the present invention resists inversion and opens with minimal head pressure

Inversion-resistant, readily-openable tide gate valve

A tide gate check valve in which at least three converging sides are provided at a tapered region of a flexible sleeve, so that on reverse back pressure build-up of fluid, reverse fluid flow is prevented, while the valve sleeve does not invert or collapse. The present configuration features embedded reinforcing elements for resisting inversion or collapsing when the back pressure builds up. This feature is especially important for large-sized conduits of 36" or 72" diameter, or even larger, such as are common in storm sewer applications.

Tide gate valve

A diffuser includes a substantially rigid base member having a first side and a second side, and an inlet conduit defining a central bore depending from the second side of the base member. A resilient dome member having a plurality of perforations is sealed to a peripheral edge of the first side of the base member. A coupling member, preferably in the form of a check valve, provides cooperation with a fluid source. As the diffuser is pressurized the dome member expands away from the base member and fluid is diffused by the perforations.

Fine bubble diffuser

A check valve for placement in a fluid conduit, includes a separator element with at least one opening; the opening allows fluid flow through the separator element. A pliant sealing member is attached to a downstream side of the separator element, covering the opening. During forward flow, this pliant sealing member deforms, allowing fluid to pass around it. However, during reverse fluid flow, this pliant sealing member flattens and covers the opening, preventing reverse fluid flow through the opening.

Flip check valve

A support mechanism for a tide gate valve having an internal cavity, wherein the support mechanism includes a support body receivable in the tide gate valve cavity to help prevent the tide gate valve from collapsing in on itself when subjected to backflow pressure The support mechanism is positioned adjacent to a pipe end and can take the shape of a ring having legs or flanges, a cage, a partial or more than partial cone, or other suitable shape Moreover, arms can extend from the ring to provide further support and orifices can be added to the support mechanism to increase or decrease flow characteristics

Spiros G. Raftis

Papers

Inversion-resistant, readily-openable tide gate valve

Tide gate valve

Fine bubble diffuser

Flip check valve

Reinforced tide gate valve