Seal assembly for accommodating introduction of surgical instruments

Abstract

A seal assembly is provided which includes a gimbal-like structure permitting rotation of a mounting member relative to the housing. The rotation of the mounting member allows the seal member to align with an instrument being inserted therethrough. The seal assembly is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly for use in endoscopic surgery.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A seal assembly which comprises: (i) a housing having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends,   (ii) a mounting member rotatably mounted within said housing, and   (iii) a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass;   wherein rotation of said mounting member relative to said housing angularly displaces said aperture of said seal member relative to said longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       2. The seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide wall at least partially disposed within said housing, adjacent said seal member, wherein said guide wall aids in guiding said surgical instrument through said seal member. 
     
     
       3. A seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a limiting ring disposed within said housing for limiting the rotation of said mounting member with respect to said housing. 
     
     
       4. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member includes a convex, arcuate outer face in sliding contact with an internal concave ring-like track disposed within said housing. 
     
     
       5. The seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one seal protect or disposed within said housing and positioned adjacent said seal member for preventing direct contact of a leading edge of said surgical instrument with said seal member. 
     
     
       6. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a longitudinal axis and said mounting member is adapted to rotate up to about 25 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       7. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing further includes a bellows structure extending from said mounting member, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal within said housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said housing. 
     
     
       8. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing is adapted to be detachably mounted at one end to a cannula assembly for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal when said instrument is inserted into said seal assembly and through said cannula assembly. 
     
     
       9. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal member is adapted to accommodate instruments ranging in diameter from 4 to 15 mm. 
     
     
       10. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal member is conical and is fabricated from a resilient material. 
     
     
       11. In combination: (a) a cannula assembly which includes a cannula housing mounted at one end to a cannula, said cannula housing including a valve assembly disposed at least partially within said housing, said valve assembly being adapted to provide a fluid-tight seal; and   (b) a seal assembly removably mounted with respect to said cannula assembly, said seal assembly including a seal assembly housing including mounting means for mounting to said cannula housing and having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, a mounting member rotatably mounted within said seal assembly housing, and a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass;   wherein rotation of said mounting member relative to said seal assembly housing angularly displaces said aperture of said seal member with respect to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said seal assembly is detachably mounted to said cannula assembly. .Iadd. 
     
     
       13.  A seal assembly which comprises: (i) a housing having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends;   (ii) a mounting member movably mounted within said housing;   (iii) a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; and   (iv) a bellows structure extending from said mounting member and secured to said housing, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal between said mounting member and said housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said housing;   wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said housing displaces said aperture of said seal member relative to said longitudinal axis..Iaddend..Iadd.   
     
     
       14.  A seal assembly according to claim 13, wherein said mounting member is rotatably mounted within said housing..Iaddend..Iadd.15. A seal assembly according to claim 13, wherein said bellows structure defines a first side and a second side which is opposite to said first side, and wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said housing causes said first side of said bellows structure to stretch and said opposite side of said bellows structure to compress..Iaddend..Iadd.16. A seal assembly according to claim 13, wherein said bellows structure is fabricated from a 
     
     
        resilient material..Iaddend..Iadd.17.  A seal assembly according to claim 16, wherein said resilient material is polyisoprene..Iaddend..Iadd.18. In combination: (a) a cannula assembly which includes a cannula housing mounted at one end to a cannula, said cannula housing including a valve assembly disposed at least partially within said housing, said valve assembly being adapted to provide a fluid-tight seal;   (b) a seal assembly removably mounted with respect to said cannula assembly, said seal assembly including a seal assembly housing including mounting means for mounting to said cannula housing and having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, a mounting member movably mounted within said seal assembly housing, and a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; and   (c) a bellows structure extending from said mounting member and secured to said seal assembly housing, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal between said mounting member and said seal assembly housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said seal assembly housing;   wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said seal assembly housing displaces said aperture of said seal member with respect to the   
     
     
        longitudinal axis..Iaddend..Iadd.19.  A combination according to claim 18, wherein said mounting member is rotatably mounted within said housing..Iaddend.