Patent Description:
The subject invention is directed to devices for endoscopic surgery, and more particularly, to a surgical gas delivery device for use in endoscopic surgical procedures that includes an internal or remote gaseous sealing module for generating a gaseous seal within a lumen extending therefrom that communicates with a mechanically sealed surgical access port to maintain stable pressure within a surgical cavity.

The use of pneumatically sealed surgical access devices or trocars, such as those that have been disclosed in commonly assigned <CIT> and <CIT>, in combination with a multi-modal gas delivery device, such as those that have been disclosed in commonly assigned <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT> have been demonstrated to have numerous advantages. These advantages include valve-less access to a surgical cavity (e.g., the abdominal or thoracic cavity), facilitation of smoke evacuation, and stable maintenance of pressure within the surgical cavity, as well as several medical and clinical benefits.

The combination of these devices form a surgical system that relies on the presence of an annular jet assembly housed within the trocar for receiving pressurized gas from the gas delivery device to generate a gaseous sealing zone within the body of the trocar. That annular jet assembly is disclosed in commonly assigned <CIT>, and it is designed to provide a static mechanism akin to a nozzle that funnels down pressurized gas into a narrower passage that increases the velocity of the gas in order to generate the gaseous sealing zone.

In commonly assigned <CIT> and <CIT>, as well as in commonly assigned <CIT>, it was proposed to move the location of the annular jet assembly (or a similar nozzle design) from the trocar device and into the filter cartridge housing of a related filtered tube set configured for operative associate with the gas delivery device. This enabled the use of more conventional commercially available access devices instead of the pneumatically sealed trocars described above.

It has now been determined that further advantages can be achieved by moving the location of the annular jet assembly (or a similar nozzle design) into the tubing of a filtered tube set or into the housing of a multi-modal gas delivery device itself. This would enable the technology to be compatible with a multitude of new proprietary and commercially-available end effectors and access devices. Indeed, in certain surgical scenarios, it may be required that all of the access ports used in a procedure be of one variety. For example, these may include robotically assisted surgeries that are only compatible with a certain type or brand of reusable cannulas.

Another advantage of the gas management systems of the subject invention would be market or cost-driven, wherein hospitals have policies to use disposable cannulas of a particular brand (for example due to a financial contract) or reusable cannulas to save money. In these examples, the systems of the subject invention would enable a surgeon to gain pressure-stability and smoke evacuation functionality without the requirement to displace one of their lower-cost access ports.

<CIT> discloses a gas conditioning unit for a surgical gas delivery device, which includes a filter housing having an insufflation gas flow path for delivering insufflation gas to a body cavity and for facilitating pressure measurements from the body cavity, a pressurized gas flow path for delivering pressurized gas from a pump in the surgical gas delivery device to an internal nozzle in the filter housing that accelerates the pressurized gas and thereby generates a continuous pressure barrier that inhibits egress of insufflation gas from the body cavity, a vacuum return flow path for returning depressurized gas spent by the internal nozzle back to the pump under vacuum, an air entrainment flow path for drawing air into the body cavity to maintain a given pressure therein, and a smoke evacuation flow path for conveying smoke from the body cavity.

<CIT> discloses a system for delivering gas during a laparoscopic surgical procedure performed within a patient's abdominal cavity which includes a gas delivery device having a housing with a port for receiving pressurized insufflation gas from a gas source, a pump assembly for circulating gas throughout the system, and a separate gas conditioning unit configured for operative association with the gas delivery device.

The subject disclosure is directed to a new and useful system for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity, which includes a gas delivery device configured to deliver a flow of pressurized gas to a gas delivery lumen extending therefrom, a gaseous sealing module communicating with a distal end of the gas delivery lumen and configured to generate a gaseous seal within a gas sealed lumen extending therefrom, and an access port communicating with a distal end of the gas sealed lumen so as to provide mechanically sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity and maintain a stable pressure within the surgical cavity. The access port includes a valve sealed proximal housing for providing mechanically sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity.

The system further includes a gas return lumen extending from the gaseous sealing module back to the gas delivery device. The gas delivery device includes a pump for delivering pressurized gas to the gas delivery lumen and for suctioning gas from the gas return lumen. The gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen communicate with a filter assembly that is dimensioned and configured for reception within the gas delivery device.

The system further includes an insufflator within the gas delivery device for delivering insufflation gas to a second access port through an insufflation lumen. The second access port includes a mechanically sealed proximal housing for providing sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity.

Preferably, the gaseous sealing module includes a housing supporting a jet assembly for receiving pressurized gas from the gas delivery lumen to generate the gaseous seal, and wherein gas spent generating the gaseous seal is suctioned through the gas return lumen back to the pump in the gas delivery device. In an embodiment of the subject invention, the gaseous sealing module includes a vented housing for facilitating air entrainment from atmosphere into the surgical cavity and gas release to atmosphere from the surgical cavity. It is envisioned that the gaseous sealing module could also communicate with a bi-directional filtration element to filter entrained air and/or gas released to atmosphere from the surgical cavity.

In one embodiment, the housing of the gaseous sealing module is configured such that the connections for the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen are arranged perpendicular to the connection for the gas sealed lumen. In another embodiment, the housing of the gaseous sealing module is configured such that the connection for the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen are arranged in-line with the connection for the gas sealed lumen. In yet another embodiment, the housing of the gaseous sealing module is configured such that the connection for the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen are arranged in parallel to the connection for the gas sealed lumen.

In these embodiments, it is envisioned that the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen could be arranged to interface with the housing of the gaseous sealing module in a parallel configuration or in a concentric configuration. Alternatively, the gaseous sealing module could include a two-part housing assembly having a proximal subassembly connected to the gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen, and a distal sub-assembly connected to the gas sealed lumen.

The subject disclosure is also directed to a system for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a body cavity, which includes a gas delivery device having a pump for delivering pressurized gas to a gas delivery lumen extending therefrom and having an insufflator for delivering insufflation gas to an insufflation lumen extending therefrom. A gaseous sealing module communicates with a distal end of the gas delivery lumen, external to the gas delivery device, and it is configured to generate a gaseous seal within a gas sealed lumen extending therefrom. A gas sealed sleeve having a proximal end portion communicates with a distal end portion of the gas sealed lumen, and a tubular access port configured for coaxial installation within the gas sealed sleeve and having a valve sealed proximal housing providing mechanically sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity communicates with a distal end of the insufflation lumen.

An annular channel is formed between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outer surface of the access port so that the gas sealed lumen is in communication with the surgical cavity to maintain a stable pressure within the surgical cavity. A sealing ring is associated with the proximal end portion of the gas sealed sleeve for sealing a proximal end of the annular channel, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart flow channels are formed in the distal end portion of the gas sealed sleeve to facilitate communication between the annular channel and the surgical cavity. The system further includes a gas return lumen extending from the gaseous sealing module back to the pump in the gas delivery device. The gas delivery lumen and the gas return lumen communicate with a filter assembly that is dimensioned and configured for reception within the gas delivery device.

The subject disclosure is also directed to a novel method of accessing a surgical cavity of a patient, which includes the steps of: providing a gas sealed sleeve; installing a valve sealed trocar into the gas sealed sleeve; and introducing the gas sealed sleeve together with the installed valve sealed trocar into the surgical cavity of the patient. The method further comprises the steps of connecting the sleeve to a gas sealed lumen adapted for bi-directional gas flow to and from the sleeve, and connecting the trocar to an insufflation and sensing lumen.

The subject disclosure is also directed to a system for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity, which includes a gas delivery device housing a pump configured to deliver pressurized gas to an internal gas delivery lumen extending from the pump. A gaseous sealing module is housed within the gas delivery device, in communication with the gas delivery lumen and configured to generate a gaseous seal within an internal gas sealed tube extending therefrom. The gas sealed tube is adapted and configured to communicate with a gas sealed lumen extending externally from the gas delivery device, and a valve sealed access port communicates with a distal end of the gas sealed lumen so as to provide mechanically sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity and maintain a stable pressure within the surgical cavity.

The system further includes an internal gas return lumen that extends from the gaseous sealing module to recirculate gas used to form the gaseous seal back to the pump within the gas delivery device. The gas delivery device also includes an insufflator for delivering insufflation gas to a second valve sealed access port through an insufflation lumen.

In this embodiment of the subject disclosure, the gaseous sealing module preferably includes an integral assembly formed by a metallic disk with at least one radially inwardly angled nozzle formed therein for generating the gaseous seal, and a cylindrical bore for accommodating air entrainment into and gas release from the gas sealed lumen.

It is envisioned that the at least one radially inwardly angled nozzle can be radially spaced apart from the cylindrical bore, which could be offset from a central axis of the disk. Alternatively, the disk can have a plurality of radially inwardly angled nozzles formed therein, which would be radially spaced apart from the cylindrical bore, which could be offset from a central axis of the disk. Or, the disk could have a plurality of radially inwardly angled nozzles formed therein, which surround the cylindrical bore, which could be aligned with a central axis of the disk.

The subject disclosure, is also directed to a tube set for use with a gas delivery device for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity, which includes a filter cartridge assembly having first and second flow paths formed therein, a first lumen extending from the filter cartridge and communicating with the first flow path for communicating with the surgical cavity to maintain a stable pressure therein and facilitate smoke evacuation, and a second lumen extending from the filter cartridge and communicating with the second flow path to deliver insufflation gas to the surgical cavity and sense cavity pressure.

A fitting is operatively associated with a distal end of the first lumen for connection with a first mechanically sealed access port, and a fitting is operatively associated with a distal end of the second lumen for connection with a second mechanically sealed access port. There may be at least one filter element disposed within the first flow path of the filter cartridge, and/or at least one filter element disposed within the second flow path of the filter cartridge.

These and other features of the gas circulation system and the system of the subject invention and disclosure will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which the subject invention appertains from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following brief description of the drawings.

So that those skilled in the art will readily understand how to make and use the gas circulation system and gas sealed surgical access devices of the subject invention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the figures wherein:.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements and features of the subject invention, there is illustrated in <FIG> a gas circulation system for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity of a patient, and more particularly, for performing a laparoscopic surgical procedure in the abdominal cavity of a patient, that is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject disclosure and is designated generally by reference numeral <NUM>. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the gas circulation system <NUM> of the subject invention can be used for performing thoracoscopic surgical procedures in the thoracic cavity of a patient, as well as, the performance of endoluminal surgical procedures, such as trans-anal and trans-esophageal surgical procedures.

Referring to <FIG>, the gas circulation system <NUM> of the subject disclosure is specifically designed to cooperate with a programmable multi-modal gas delivery device <NUM>. The gas delivery device <NUM> is of the type described, for example, in commonly assigned <CIT>.

The gas delivery device <NUM> includes a graphical user interface <NUM> for setting operating parameters and a pump <NUM> for facilitating the circulation/recirculation of pressurized gas relative to the surgical cavity <NUM> of a patient <NUM>. The gas delivery device <NUM> is connected to a portable source of surgical gas <NUM> for delivering insufflation gas to the surgical cavity <NUM> of the patient <NUM> by way of an internal insufflator <NUM>. Alternatively, gas could be supplied to the gas delivery device <NUM> from a permanent source.

With continuing reference to <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG>, the system <NUM> further includes a filtered tube set <NUM> that is operatively associated with the gas delivery device <NUM>. The filtered tube set <NUM> includes a disposable filter cartridge <NUM> of the type described in commonly assigned <CIT>.

A gas delivery lumen <NUM> and a gas return lumen <NUM> extend between the filter cartridge <NUM> and a remotely located gaseous sealing module <NUM>, which will be described in more detail below. A first valve sealed access port <NUM> communicates with the gaseous sealing module <NUM> through a gas sealed lumen <NUM>, and an insufflation and sensing line <NUM> extends between the filter cartridge <NUM> and a second valve sealed access port <NUM>. A connector <NUM> is associated with a distal end of the gas sealed lumen <NUM> for mating with a fitting on the first access port <NUM>, and a connector <NUM> is associated with a distal end of the insufflation and sensing line <NUM> for mating with a fitting on the second access port <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the remote gaseous sealing module <NUM> (i.e., located remote from the access port <NUM> and from the gas delivery device <NUM>) is shown in conjunction with the gas delivery and return lumen <NUM> and <NUM>, the gas sealed lumen <NUM> and the first valve sealed access port <NUM>. In general, the remote gaseous sealing module <NUM> is adapted and configured to generate a gaseous seal which extends through the gas sealed lumen <NUM> to the first valve sealed access port <NUM> so as to maintain a stable pressure and facilitate smoke evacuation within the surgical cavity <NUM> of patient <NUM> during an endoscopic surgical procedure.

Referring to <FIG>, the remote gaseous sealing module <NUM> includes a generally cylindrical proximal housing portion <NUM> and an elongated tubular stem portion <NUM> that extends axially from the proximal housing portion <NUM>. The proximal housing portion <NUM> is associated with an end cap <NUM> having an axially offset inlet port <NUM> for communication with the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and an adjacent axially offset outlet port <NUM> for communication with the gas return lumen <NUM>.

With continuing reference to <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG>, the gaseous sealing module <NUM> further includes a nozzle body <NUM> sandwiched between the proximal housing portion <NUM> and the end cap <NUM>, which defines crescent shaped inlet plenum 62a for transmitting pressurized gas from the pump <NUM> of the gas delivery device <NUM> through the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and inlet <NUM> in end cap <NUM> for use in generating a gaseous seal within the gaseous sealing module <NUM>, and crescent shaped outlet plenum 62b for receiving spent gas used to form the gaseous seal within the gaseous sealing module <NUM> through outlet <NUM> for return to the pump <NUM> via gas return lumen <NUM>. The crescent shaped plenums 62a and 62b have respective crescent shaped gas conduit channels 63a and 63b.

The nozzle body <NUM> of gaseous sealing module <NUM> further includes a central gas transfer plenum <NUM>, which is open to atmosphere at both ends, and is located between the inlet plenums 62a and 62b. Nozzle body <NUM> also includes a distally extending nozzle tube <NUM> that communicates with the gas transfer plenum <NUM>. The nozzle tube <NUM> has a central bore <NUM> that communicates with the gas transfer plenum <NUM> to define a bi-directional vent path that facilitates gas exchange to and from the gas sealed gas sealed lumen <NUM>, including but not limited to, air entrainment from atmosphere into the surgical cavity <NUM> and gas release to atmosphere from the surgical cavity <NUM> to relieve overpressure. The outer periphery of nozzle tube <NUM> includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart land areas <NUM>, which define a set of circumferentially spaced apart recessed gas jets <NUM> for accelerating pressurized gas delivered to the gaseous sealing module <NUM> from gas delivery lumen <NUM> to form a gaseous seal within the gas sealed lumen <NUM>.

With continuing reference to <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG>, the proximal housing portion <NUM> of gaseous sealing module <NUM> includes a central cylindrical plenum area <NUM> in communication with the gas inlet channels 63a of the inlet plenum 62a of nozzle body <NUM>, and a surrounding annular plenum area <NUM> in communication with the gas return channel 63b of the gas return plenum 62b. The annular plenum area <NUM> incudes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart gas return ports <NUM>.

A nozzle bore <NUM> is formed within the central plenum area <NUM>, and as best seen in <FIG>, the nozzle tube <NUM> of nozzle body <NUM> is dimensioned and configured for engagement within the nozzle bore <NUM> to form the radially outer boundaries of the circumferentially spaced apart jets <NUM> recessed into the outer peripheral surface of nozzle tube <NUM>, as described above.

Referring to <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG>, the elongated tubular stem portion <NUM> that extends axially from the proximal housing portion <NUM> of gaseous sealing module <NUM> includes a proximal flange portion <NUM> that houses a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fins <NUM> configured to guide spent gas used to generate the gaseous seal back to the annular plenum area <NUM> by way of the gas return ports <NUM>. The tubular stem portion <NUM> further includes a medial throat section <NUM>, which defines the interior zone <NUM> of the gaseous sealing module <NUM> wherein the gaseous seal is generated by the circumferentially spaced apart jets <NUM>. The stem portion <NUM> also includes a distal tube fitting <NUM> which is dimensioned and configured to connect with the gas sealed lumen <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated another filtered tube set constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, which is designated generally by reference numeral <NUM> and it includes a remote gas sealing module <NUM> that differs from the remote sealing module <NUM> described above, in that the gas sealed delivery and return lumens are offset from and parallel to the gas sealed lumen.

More particularly, tube set <NUM> includes a filter cartridge <NUM>, a gas delivery lumen <NUM> and gas return lumen <NUM> extending between the filter cartridge <NUM> and the gaseous sealing module <NUM>, a gas sealed lumen <NUM> extending from the gaseous sealing module <NUM> to a first valve sealed access port <NUM>, and an insufflation and sensing lumen <NUM> extending from the filter cartridge <NUM> to a second valve sealed access port <NUM>. In this embodiment of the invention, the gaseous sealing module <NUM> is configured such that the connection for the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and the gas return lumen <NUM> are arranged parallel to and offset from the connection for the gas sealed lumen <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the remote gaseous sealing module <NUM> includes a two-part mechanically interconnected housing assembly <NUM> consisting of a first component <NUM> and a sub-assembly <NUM>. The first component <NUM> is connected to and communicates with the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and gas return lumen <NUM>. Subassembly <NUM> is connected to and communicates with the gas sealed lumen <NUM>.

More particularly, component <NUM> of the two-part housing <NUM> has an inlet port <NUM> for direct communication with the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and an adjacent outlet port <NUM> for direct communication with the gas return lumen <NUM>. Sub-assembly <NUM> of the two-part housing <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> defining an interior plenum chamber <NUM> and a distally extending tube fitting <NUM> which is dimensioned and configured to connect with the gas sealed lumen <NUM>.

The interior plenum chamber <NUM> of body portion <NUM> is dimensioned and configured to receive a two-part ring jet assembly <NUM> of the type illustrated in <FIG>, which is described in more detail in commonly assigned <CIT>.

In general, as shown in <FIG>, the two-part ring jet assembly <NUM> is comprised of an upper member <NUM> with an O-ring seal <NUM> and a lower ring member <NUM> with an O-ring seal <NUM>.

The jet assembly <NUM> receives pressurized gas through an inlet port <NUM> from the gas delivery lumen <NUM>, and it functions to accelerate that gas so as to generate a gaseous seal within the distal throat area <NUM> of body portion <NUM> (see <FIG>). The gaseous seal that is generated in the throat area <NUM> creates a stable pressure barrier that maintains stable pressure through the length of the gas sealed lumen <NUM> to access port <NUM> so as to maintain a stable pressure and facilitate smoke evacuation within the surgical cavity <NUM> of a patient <NUM> during an endoscopic surgical procedure.

As best seen in <FIG>, circumferentially spaced apart guide fins <NUM> are provided within the plenum chamber <NUM> of body portion <NUM> for guiding the gas spent generating the gaseous seal within throat area <NUM> back to the gas return lumen <NUM> by way of an outlet fitting <NUM>. Component <NUM> also includes a vent path <NUM> that facilitate gas exchange to and from the gas sealed lumen <NUM>, including but not limited to, air entrainment from atmosphere into the surgical cavity <NUM> and gas release to atmosphere from the surgical cavity <NUM> to relieve overpressure.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated yet another filtered tube set constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, which is designated generally by reference numeral <NUM> and it includes a remote gas sealing module <NUM> that differs from each of the remote sealing modules described above. More particularly, tube set <NUM> includes a filter cartridge <NUM>, a gas delivery lumen <NUM> and gas return lumen <NUM> extending between the filter cartridge <NUM> and the gaseous sealing module <NUM>, a gas sealed lumen <NUM> extending from the gaseous sealing module <NUM> to a first valve sealed access port <NUM> and an insufflation and sensing lumen <NUM> extending from the filter cartridge <NUM> to a second valve sealed access port <NUM>.

In this embodiment of the invention, the gaseous sealing module <NUM> is configured such that the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and the gas return lumen <NUM> are arranged perpendicular to the output for the gas sealed lumen <NUM>, and the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and gas return lumen <NUM> are arranged to interface with the housing <NUM> of the gaseous sealing module <NUM> in a concentric configuration.

More particularly, the gas delivery lumen <NUM> and the gas return lumen <NUM> are operatively associated with a rotatable dual lumen concentric connector <NUM> that mates with a correspondingly configured fitting <NUM> extending from the housing <NUM> of gaseous sealing module <NUM>, in a direction perpendicular to the connection for the gas sealed lumen <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>. A connector of this type is disclosed in commonly assigned <CIT>.

The housing <NUM> of gaseous sealing module <NUM> further includes a louvered vent <NUM> that facilitates bi-directional gas exchange with atmosphere (i.e., for air entrainment and over pressure relief by way of lumen <NUM>) and it is arranged in-line with the gas sealed lumen <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG>.

In this embodiment of the invention, the gaseous sealing module <NUM> includes the two-part ring jet assembly <NUM> of the type shown in <FIG> and described in commonly assigned <CIT>, for generating a gaseous seal with the interior region <NUM> of the throat portion <NUM> of housing <NUM>, which creates a stable pressure barrier that maintains stable pressure through the length of the gas sealed lumen <NUM> to the access port <NUM> so as to maintain a stable pressure and facilitate smoke evacuation within the surgical cavity <NUM> of a patient <NUM> during an endoscopic surgical procedure.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated a surgical access assembly <NUM> that is adapted and configured for use in conjunction with any one of the previously described filtered tube sets, such as for example, the filtered tube set <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The surgical access assembly <NUM> primarily includes a tubular gas sealed sleeve <NUM> and a valve sealed access port <NUM>. The tubular gas sealed sleeve <NUM> has a proximal end portion <NUM> that includes a fitting <NUM> for communication with a connector <NUM> on the distal end portion of the gas sealed lumen <NUM> of tube set <NUM>. The valve sealed access port <NUM> is configured for coaxial installation within the tubular sleeve <NUM> to provide mechanically sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity <NUM> and it has a fitting <NUM> for communicating with a connector <NUM> on the distal end of the insufflation and sensing lumen <NUM> of tube set <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, the access port <NUM> has a proximal housing <NUM> that houses a duckbill seal <NUM> for providing sealed access to the surgical cavity <NUM> through the central lumen <NUM> of the access port <NUM>. With specific reference to <FIG>, the central lumen <NUM> provides an insufflation and sensing path for the system <NUM>, and elongated annular channel <NUM> is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the gas sealed sleeve <NUM> and an outer peripheral surface of the access port <NUM> so that the gas sealed lumen <NUM> is in communication with the surgical cavity <NUM> to maintain a stable pressure and facilitate smoke evacuation within the surgical cavity <NUM>.

A sealing ring <NUM> is associated with the proximal end portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> for sealing a proximal end of the annular channel <NUM>, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart flow channels <NUM> are formed in the distal end portion <NUM> of the gas sealed sleeve <NUM> to facilitate communication between the annular channel <NUM> and the surgical cavity of a patient, as best seen in <FIG>, thereby maintaining a stable pressure within the surgical cavity and facilitate smoke evacuation during an endoscopic surgical procedure.

In use, to access the surgical cavity <NUM> with the access assembly <NUM> during an endoscopic surgical procedure, the valve sealed port <NUM> is first installed into the gas sealed sleeve <NUM>, and then the gas sealed sleeve <NUM> together with the valve sealed port <NUM> are introduced into the surgical cavity <NUM> of the patient <NUM>. The angled distal edge <NUM> of the valve sealed port <NUM> aids in the percutaneous introduction of the assembly <NUM>, which would be accomplished using a typical obturator or introducer placed therein, as is well known in the art.

The method further includes the steps of connecting the fitting <NUM> on the end of the gas sealed lumen <NUM> to the fitting <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>, which is adapted for bi-directional gas flow to and from the gas sealed sleeve <NUM>, and the step of connecting the fitting <NUM> on the end of the insufflation and sensing lumen <NUM> to the fitting <NUM> of the valve sealed port <NUM>. In the event that a metallic access device is used in this system, it is envisioned that the sleeve <NUM> would need to be grounded to prevent an electrical shock resulting from capacitive coupling.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated a unique gas delivery system <NUM> constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject disclosure.

Gas delivery system <NUM> includes a gas delivery device <NUM> that has an internal gaseous sealing module <NUM>, as opposed to the external remotely located gaseous sealing modules described above. The gas delivery device <NUM> also includes a graphical user interface <NUM> for setting operating parameters, an internal insufflator <NUM> for receiving insufflation gas from a source and delivering that gas to the surgical cavity of the patient, and a pump <NUM> for facilitating the circulation/recirculation of pressurized gas relative to internal gaseous sealing module <NUM>. The insufflator <NUM> and gaseous sealing module <NUM> communicates with a unique filtered tube set <NUM>, which is best seen in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the filtered tube set <NUM> includes a filter cartridge <NUM> from which extends a gas sealed lumen <NUM> and an insufflation and sensing lumen <NUM>. The gas sealed lumen <NUM> extends from the filter cartridge <NUM> to a first valve sealed access port <NUM>, and the insufflation and sensing lumen <NUM> extends to a second valve sealed access port <NUM>. The internal gaseous sealing module <NUM> generates a gaseous seal that creates a stable pressure barrier that maintains stable pressure through the gas sealed lumen <NUM> to the first access port <NUM> to maintain a stable pressure and facilitates smoke evacuation within the surgical cavity of a patient during an endoscopic surgical procedure.

Referring to <FIG> in conjunction with the schematic diagram of <FIG>, there is illustrated the interior of the housing <NUM> of the gas delivery device <NUM>, which includes a reception cavity <NUM> for releasably receiving the cartridge <NUM> of the filtered tube set <NUM>, which communicates with the internal gaseous sealing module <NUM> by way of an internal gas sealed tube <NUM>. The filter cartridge <NUM> includes a first filter element <NUM> for filtering insufflation gas flow to the insufflation conduit <NUM> and a second filter element <NUM> for filtering gas flowing to and from the gas sealed lumen <NUM>. While the filter cartridge <NUM> has been described as being part of the replaceable and disposable tube set <NUM>, it is envisioned and well within the scope of the subject disclosure that one or both of the filter elements <NUM> and <NUM> could be in the form of a removable filter element installed in an interior compartment within the housing <NUM> of gas delivery device <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG> (see, e.g., internal filter <NUM>).

An internal insufflation tube <NUM> extends between the insufflator <NUM> and the reception cavity <NUM>. In addition, an internal gas delivery conduit <NUM> extends from high pressure outlet side of the pump <NUM> to the inlet side of the gaseous sealing module <NUM> and an internal gas return conduit <NUM> extends between the outlet side of the gaseous sealing module <NUM> and the inlet or suction side of the pump <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG>, the gaseous sealing module <NUM> is supported with the housing <NUM> of the gas delivery device <NUM> on an upstanding bracket <NUM> that includes a louvered vent plate <NUM> for accommodating gas exchange, including but not limited to, air entrainment from atmosphere into the gaseous sealing module <NUM> and gas release to atmosphere from the gaseous sealing module <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, an embodiment of the gas delivery device <NUM> includes an internal vent tube <NUM> that extends from the housing <NUM> of the gaseous sealing module <NUM> to an internal filter element <NUM>. The internal filter <NUM> communicates with an outlet tube <NUM> that extends from the housing <NUM> to atmosphere to facilitate gas exchange.

The housing <NUM> of the gaseous sealing module <NUM> is dimensioned and configured to support a pressurized nozzle assembly <NUM>, which is adapted and configured to accelerate pressurized gas to generate a gaseous seal within the throat section <NUM> that extends from the housing <NUM> to the gas sealed tube <NUM>. The nozzle assembly <NUM> includes an upper ring component <NUM> having an associated O-ring seal <NUM> and a lower nozzle disk <NUM> having an associated O-ring seal <NUM>. As explained in more detail below, the nozzle disc <NUM> includes one or more gas accelerating nozzles.

As best seen in <FIG>, a gas inlet plenum <NUM> is formed between the lower surface of upper ring component <NUM> and the upper surface of the lower nozzle disk <NUM> for receiving pressurized gas from the internal gas delivery conduit <NUM>. More particularly, the housing <NUM> includes an inlet port <NUM> for communicating with the gas delivery conduit <NUM> and an outlet port <NUM> for communicating with the gas return conduit <NUM>. The nozzle assembly <NUM> defines a vent path <NUM> to facilitate bi-directional gas exchange with atmosphere, by way of the relief by way of louvered vent plate <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there are illustrated four different embodiments of a metallic nozzle disc, each of which is adapted and configured to generate a gaseous seal within the internal gaseous sealing module <NUM> shown in <FIG>, as explained above. In these embodiments, each metallic disk is <NUM> is formed with at least one radially inwardly angled nozzle <NUM> formed therein for accelerating pressurized gas received from the pump <NUM> to generate the gaseous seal in the internal gaseous sealing module <NUM> of gas delivery device <NUM>, a cylindrical bore <NUM> for accommodating air entrainment into and gas release from the gas sealed lumen <NUM>, and an O-ring seal <NUM> for sealing isolating the high and low pressure sides of the disk <NUM> within the housing <NUM> of module <NUM>.

Referring first to <FIG>, an embodiment of the disk <NUM> includes one radially inwardly angled nozzle <NUM> radially spaced apart from the cylindrical bore <NUM>, both of which are offset from a central axis of the disk <NUM>. An alternative embodiment of the disk <NUM>, has a plurality of radially inwardly angled nozzles <NUM> formed therein, which are radially spaced apart from the cylindrical bore <NUM>, which are all offset from a central axis of the disk, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In another embodiment, the disk <NUM> has a plurality of radially inwardly angled jet nozzles <NUM> formed therein, which surround the cylindrical bore <NUM>, which is axially aligned with a central axis of the disk <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In yet another embodiment of the disk <NUM>, there is one radially inwardly angled nozzle <NUM> that receives pressurized gas through a radial inlet passage <NUM> extending from an outer periphery of the disk <NUM>, and the cylindrical bore <NUM> is axially aligned with a central axis of the disk <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In essence, the cylindrical bore <NUM> in each of these metallic discs <NUM> provides the same functionality as the central bore of a ring jet assembly for a gas sealed access port (see <CIT>), which is centrally located to allow instrument passage. However, since the jet discs <NUM> are internal to the gas delivery device <NUM>, and they do not need to accommodate instrument passage, the cylindrical bore <NUM> in each disk <NUM> does not need to be as large and it can be located off-center. This is because a pneumatic seal does not need to be formed around a cylindrical instrument passing through the access port. While this bore is cylindrical for ease of manufacture, it need not be.

While the subject disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.

Claim 1:
A system for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity (<NUM>), comprising:
a) a gas delivery device (<NUM>) having a disposable filter cartridge (<NUM>) received therein, wherein the gas delivery device (<NUM>) is configured to deliver a flow of pressurized gas to a gas delivery lumen (<NUM>) extending from the filter cartridge (<NUM>);
b) a gaseous sealing module (<NUM>) communicating with a distal end of the gas delivery lumen (<NUM>) remote from the filter cartridge (<NUM>) and configured to generate a gaseous seal within a gas sealed lumen (<NUM>) extending therefrom;
wherein the gaseous sealing module (<NUM>) includes a housing (<NUM>) that supports a nozzle tube (<NUM>) defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart gas jets (<NUM>) recessed in an outer peripheral surface thereof for accelerating pressurized gas received from the gas delivery lumen (<NUM>) to generate the gaseous seal within the gas sealed lumen (<NUM>), and wherein gas spent generating the gaseous seal is sent from the gaseous sealing module (<NUM>) back to the filter cartridge (<NUM>) received in the gas delivery device (<NUM>) through a gas return lumen (<NUM>), and
wherein the nozzle tube (<NUM>) is dimensioned and configured for engagement within a nozzle bore (<NUM>) formed in a central plenum area (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>) to form radially outer boundaries of the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart gas jets (<NUM>) recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle tube (<NUM>); and
c) an access port (<NUM>) communicating with a distal end of the gas sealed lumen (<NUM>) so as to provide mechanically sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity (<NUM>) and maintain a stable pressure by way of the gaseous seal within the gas sealed lumen (<NUM>) and facilitate smoke evacuation within the surgical cavity (<NUM>).