Trocar with Reduced Profile

Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for various insufflation sealing approaches for a trocar. For example, a trocar is provided that has a housing and a cannula extending therefrom. The housing and the cannula have a tool pathway extending therethrough for receiving a surgical tool, and the housing has an insufflation port therein. A variety of seal elements are provided that seal the insufflation port to prevent fluid flow into the port. The port and seal elements are configured to have a reduced profile to prevent interference between the trocar and a tissue surface during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A trocar assembly, comprising:
 a trocar having a housing and a cannula extending distally from the housing, the housing and the cannula having a tool pathway extending therethrough for receiving a tool;   at least one seal disposed within the housing and extending across the pathway, the at least one seal being configured to form at least one of a seal across the pathway when no tool is disposed therethrough and a seal around a tool when a tool is inserted therethrough to thereby seal an insufflation fluid within the housing; and   a port formed in a sidewall of the housing at a location distal of the at least one seal, the port being in fluid communication with the tool pathway;   a stopcock assembly removably matable to the port for allowing the delivery of insufflation fluid to the tool pathway; and   a plug removably matable to the port for sealing the port when the stopcock assembly is removed from the port.   
     
     
         2 . The trocar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the port includes a female luer connector formed therein and configured to receive a male luer connector formed on the stopcock assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The trocar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the stopcock assembly includes a valve for selectively opening and closing a fluid flow path extending through the stopcock assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The trocar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is elastomeric. 
     
     
         5 . The trocar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is configured to be held within the port by a friction fit. 
     
     
         6 . The trocar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the port is fully disposed without the housing and does not project outward from a sidewall of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . A trocar assembly, comprising:
 a trocar having a housing and a cannula extending distally from the housing, the housing and the cannula having a tool pathway extending therethrough for receiving a tool;   at least one seal disposed within the housing and extending across the pathway, the at least one seal being configured to form at least one of a seal across the pathway when no tool is disposed therethrough and a seal around a tool when a tool is inserted therethrough to thereby seal an insufflation fluid within the housing; and   a port formed in a sidewall of the housing at a location distal of the at least one seal, the port being in fluid communication with the tool pathway;   a flapper door extending across the port and movable between a closed position, in which the flapper door forms a seal across the port, and an open position in which the flapper door is configured to mate to an insufflation tubing assembly for the delivery of insufflation fluid into the tool pathway.   
     
     
         8 . The trocar assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flapper door is biased to the closed position, and is configured to automatically move to an open position when an insufflation tubing assembly is coupled thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The trocar assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the port includes a female luer connector for receiving a male luer connector on an insufflation tubing assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The trocar assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising an insufflation tubing assembly having a mating element formed on an end thereof and configured to be received within the port for mating the insufflation tubing to the port. 
     
     
         11 . The trocar assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the port is fully disposed without the housing and does not project outward from a sidewall of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A trocar assembly, comprising:
 a trocar having a housing and a cannula extending distally from the housing, the housing and the cannula having a tool pathway extending therethrough for receiving a tool;   at least one seal disposed within the housing and extending across the pathway, the at least one seal being configured to form at least one of a seal across the pathway when no tool is disposed therethrough and a seal around a tool when a tool is inserted therethrough to thereby seal an insufflation fluid within the housing; and   a port formed in a sidewall of the housing at a location distal of the at least one seal, the port being in fluid communication with the tool pathway;   a one-time seal extending across the port to seal the port, the one-time seal being configured to be punctured when an insufflation tubing is mated to the port.   
     
     
         13 . The trocar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the port is fully disposed without the housing and does not project outward from a sidewall of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The trocar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the one-time seal comprises a film. 
     
     
         15 . The trocar assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the port includes a female luer fitting formed therein and configured to receive a male luer fitting formed on an insufflation tubing. 
     
     
         16 . The trocar assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising an insufflation tubing assembly having a mating element formed on an end thereof and configured to be received within the port for mating the insufflation tubing to the port.