Trocar seal system

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A seal assembly 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; and    a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material.    
     
     
         2 . A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a coating applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein.  
     
     
         3 . A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the coating is a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.  
     
     
         4 . A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a ring member secured to the seal member and having a dampening element disposed between a surface of the ring member and a surface of the body.