Self-sealing cannula

Abstract

A cannula assembly for performing a surgical includes a cannula defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, a seal for substantially sealing the longitudinal passageway within the cannula in the absence of an object being received through the passageway and an elongated membrane disposed within the longitudinal passageway of the cannula. The elongated membrane is secured to the cannula at respective ends of the elongated membrane to define an annular space between the elongated membrane and the cannula. The cannula has a throughhole in communication with the annular space whereby, when the cannula is positioned within an insufflated body cavity, insufflation gases pass through the throughhole to expand the annular space to thereby cause the elongated membrane to form a seal about an object inserted therethrough.

1 . A cannula assembly for performing a surgical procedure, comprising:
 a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough, the cannula extending along a longitudinal axis;   an elongated membrane including an outer wall and an inner wall defining an internal lumen extending through the elongated membrane, the elongated membrane being repositionable between a first position, wherein the internal lumen defines a first transverse dimension, and a second position, wherein the internal lumen defines a second, smaller transverse dimension such that the elongated membrane sealingly engages an inserted surgical object, the elongated membrane including at least one ridge positioned on the inner wall configured and dimensioned to engage the surgical object when the elongated membrane is in the second position to further facilitate sealing engagement between the elongated membrane and the inserted surgical object.   
   
   
       2 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a seal positioned within the longitudinal passageway of the cannula, the seal being configured and dimensioned to substantially seal the longitudinal passageway in the absence of an object being received through the passageway. 
   
   
       3 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ridge is positioned on the inner wall of the elongated membrane so as to occupy a void defined between the inner wall and the surgical object upon insertion to inhibit leakage of fluid from the elongated membrane. 
   
   
       4 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one ridge includes a plurality of ridges. 
   
   
       5 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of ridges are radially spaced along the inner wall of the elongated membrane. 
   
   
       6 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of ridges are oriented longitudinally along the inner wall of the elongated membrane. 
   
   
       7 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cannula includes at least one throughhole in communication with the longitudinal passageway such that when the cannula is positioned within an insufflated space, insufflation gas passes through the at least one throughhole into the longitudinal passageway to compress the elongated membrane inwardly and thereby facilitate movement of the elongated membrane from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       8 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one throughhole is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. 
   
   
       9 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one throughhole includes a plurality of throughholes positioned longitudinally along the cannula. 
   
   
       10 . A cannula assembly for performing a surgical procedure, comprising:
 a cannula defining a longitudinal axis, the cannula including a longitudinal passageway extending therethrough configured and dimensioned to removably receive a surgical object, and at least one throughhole;   a seal for substantially sealing the longitudinal passageway within the cannula in the absence of an object being received through the passageway; and   an elongated membrane including inner and outer walls, the elongated membrane being positioned within the longitudinal passageway of the cannula such that an annular space is defined between the cannula and the outer wall of the elongated membrane, the annular space being in fluid communication with the throughhole of the cannula whereby fluid is communicable into the annular space to expand the annular space and thereby cause the elongated membrane to sealingly engage an inserted surgical object, the elongated membrane including at least one ridge positioned on the inner wall thereof configured and dimensioned to engage the surgical object upon expansion of the annular space to further facilitate sealing engagement between the elongated membrane and the inserted surgical object.   
   
   
       11 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one ridge is positioned on the inner wall of the elongated membrane so as to occupy a void defined between the inner wall and an inserted surgical object to inhibit leakage of fluid from the elongated membrane. 
   
   
       12 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one ridge includes a plurality of ridges. 
   
   
       13 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ridges are radially spaced along the inner wall of the elongated membrane. 
   
   
       14 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ridges are oriented longitudinally along the inner wall of the elongated membrane. 
   
   
       15 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one throughhole of the cannula includes a plurality of throughholes positioned longitudinally along the cannula. 
   
   
       16 . The cannula assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one throughhole is in communication with the annular space such that when the cannula is positioned within an insufflated space, insufflation gas passes through the at least one throughhole to expand the annular space and thereby cause the elongated membrane to form the seal about the inserted surgical object.