Connector for a laparoscopic surgical system
Inventors
Joshi, Sharad H. • Boulnois, Jean-Luc • DEVLIN, Chris A. • Aliski, Peter • LaROCHE, Russ • Sullivan, Chris
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9326785-B2
Publication Date
2016-05-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, the connector including a base forming a body of the connector, the base having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein, and a seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a proximal end of the base and configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, where a base forms a body of the connector and includes a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein. The connector further includes a seal that is permanently and chemically bonded, or permanently mechanically bond molded, to an inner surface of a proximal most end of the base or to recesses and protrusions on the inner surface. The seal is configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.
The deformable, permanently bonded seal is configured such that upon disengagement of the connector and the tube end, the seal is deformed such that the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached. In additional variations, the base and seal are formed of a single material, and the seal is more flexible than the base. In an instrument tip configuration, an elastomeric seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a back hub deforms upon connector/tube disengagement so that the tube end cannot be securely reattached.
In related laparoscopic device configurations, the tube includes a lumen and a slidable inner shaft, and an instrument tip is affixed to a distal end of the tube. A connector affixed to a proximal end of the instrument tip includes a back hub and a permanently bonded seal configured to deform upon engaging the tube such that upon disengagement the tube and the tip cannot be securely reattached. The described arrangements can include electrically insulating and fluidically sealed relationships between components, and engagement region and fastening/coupling mechanisms for connecting the connector to the tube end.
The described constructions address the stated problems of fluid breach causing contamination and electrical leakage, and of seal wear reducing seal integrity, by using a permanently bonded deformable seal that deforms upon engagement and prevents secure reattachment after disengagement. The disclosed seal behavior includes possible sterilization-driven deformation, degradation, and dissolution, and may include rupturable fluid-encased pockets releasing fluid upon deformation.
Claims Coverage
The document provides multiple independent claims. Across these independents, the claims share a core requirement of a permanently bonded, deformable seal that deforms on connector-to-tube engagement so that after disengagement the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached, with additional structural limitations in specific independents regarding how the seal is bonded, how the base and seal are formed, and related device components.
Permanently and chemically bond molded deformable seal on connector base
A base forming a body of the connector having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator, and a seal permanently and chemically bond molded to an inner surface of a proximal most end of the base, the seal configured to deform upon connection with the tube end such that upon disengagement the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached.
Recess/protrusion permanently mechanically bond molded deformable seal
A base forming a body of the connector with a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator, the base comprising at least one of a recess and protrusion on the inner surface of a proximal most end of the base, and a seal permanently mechanically bond molded to the at least one of the recess and protrusion, the seal configured to deform upon connection such that upon disengagement the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached.
Laparoscopic device with permanently bonded back hub seal that prevents reattachment
A laparoscopic device comprising a tube having a lumen and a slidable inner shaft, an instrument tip affixed to a distal end of the tube, and a connector affixed to a proximal end of the instrument tip having a back hub and seal permanently bonded to the back hub, the seal configured to deform upon engaging the tube such that upon disengagement of the connector and the tube the tube and the tip cannot be securely reattached.
Single-material base and more flexible deformable seal
A connector with a base forming a body having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator, a seal configured to deform upon connection such that upon disengagement the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached, wherein the base and seal are formed of a single material, and the seal is more flexible than the base.
Instrument tip with elastomeric permanently bonded back hub seal
An instrument tip configured to be connected to a tube end, including a back hub having a hollow center configured to accommodate an end effector actuator, an end effector configured to engage a target with the end effector actuator configured to actuate the end effector, and an elastomeric seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of the back hub and configured to deform upon connection with the tube end such that upon disengagement the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on permanently bonded seals that deform upon connection to a laparoscopic tube end so that after disengagement the tube end and the tip cannot be securely reattached, with additional independent constraints on single-material base/seal construction, proximal base geometry, and the presence of a back hub and related laparoscopic device components.
Stated Advantages
Prevents the tube end and the tip from being securely reattached upon disengagement.
Provides a deformable seal arrangement configured to deform upon connection and thereby prevent secure reattachment after disengagement.
Documented Applications
Connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end in a laparoscopic device/instrument system.
Use of the connector and instrument tip arrangement in a laparoscopic device having a tube with a lumen and a slidable inner shaft and an instrument tip affixed to a distal end of the tube.
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