Patent ID: 9616185
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M

Claim:
1. A method for providing pressurized fluid to trocar assemblies, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a primary trocar assembly into an abdominal cavity of a patient; (b) introducing at least a secondary trocar assembly into the abdominal cavity of the patient; (c) providing a valve assembly; (d) coupling the valve assembly to the primary trocar assembly; the secondary trocar assembly, and a source of pressurized fluid; (e) selectively controlling a flow of pressurized fluid from the source to the trocar assemblies through operating the valve assembly in first and second operating positions, wherein the first operating position directs pressurized fluid from the source to flow to the primary trocar assembly while preventing pressurized fluid from the source from flowing to at least the secondary trocar assembly, and wherein the second operating position directs pressurized fluid from the source to flow to both the primary trocar assembly via the first coupling and at least the secondary trocar assembly; wherein the valve assembly has first, second, and third couplings; and wherein the first coupling of the valve assembly defines three passageways, and one of the three passageways is placed in fluid communication with the primary trocar assembly for directing the insufflation gas to the primary trocar assembly while the other two of the three passageways are fluidly isolated from the primary trocar assembly during insufflation of the abdominal cavity of the patient.