Patent ID: 7854724
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A trocar for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure within the abdominal cavity of a patient, comprising: a) an elongated body having a generally tubular configuration with coaxially arranged inner and outer walls, the body having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal end portions, the inner wall defining an unobstructed lumen to accommodate passage of an instrument therethrough; b) nozzle means operatively associated with the inner wall of the body, the nozzle means being dimensioned and configured to accelerate pressurized fluid directly into the unobstructed lumen to develop and maintain a pressure differential, between the pressure inside the abdominal cavity and the pressure outside the abdominal cavity, in an area within the unobstructed lumen, the pressure differential forming a barrier to the proximal egress of pressurized fluid from the abdominal cavity, while forming a fluid seal around a surgical instrument passing through the unobstructed lumen; and c) means for delivering a pressurized flow of fluid to the nozzle means.