Trocar Sleeve, Trocar System And Method Of Manufacturing A Trocar Sleeve

Abstract

A trocar sleeve comprises a flexible hollow shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, and a handling head that is formed at the proximal end of the hollow shaft. The trocar sleeve is manufactured from an elastomer material. The hollow shaft comprises an inner contour that is adapted to an outer contour of a trocar mandrel in such a way that the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel are arranged to be coupled to one another while generating a defined preload to stabilize the trocar sleeve. A trocar system comprises a trocar sleeve and a trocar mandrel that is arranged to be inserted in the trocar sleeve, while generating a defined preloading in the trocar sleeve. A method of manufacturing a trocar sleeve involves integrally forming a hollow shaft and a handling head in a common mold by molding.

Claims

1. A trocar sleeve comprising a flexible hollow shaft and a handling head, wherein the hollow shaft comprises a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the handling head is formed at the proximal end of the hollow shaft, wherein the trocar sleeve is manufactured from an elastomer material, wherein the hollow shaft comprises an inner contour arranged to insert therein a trocar mandrel having an outer contour, and wherein the inner contour of the hollow shaft is adapted to the outer contour of the trocar mandrel such that the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel generate, upon insertion of the trocar mandrel in the trocar sleeve, a defined preloading in the hollow shaft that stabilizes the trocar sleeve.

2. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft is, in a defined axial relative position between the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel, at least sectionally widened by the trocar mandrel.

3. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer material the trocar sleeve is made from has a Shore hardness, determined in accordance with ISO 7619-1, of no more than 90 Shore A,

4. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 3, wherein the Shore hardness is about 70 Shore A.

5. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft and the handling head are formed in one piece.

6. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trocar sleeve is integrally shaped and manufactured by molding.

7. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastomer material is selected from the group consisting of: silicone, silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, and compounds containing the same.

8. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft is, at least sectionally, tubular or cylindrically shaped,

9. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft comprises, at least sectionally, a smooth, elevation-free outer surface,

10. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft is, at least partially, provided with a friction-reducing coating.

11. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft comprises, at least sectionally, a wall thickness increasing from the distal end to the proximal end.

12. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner contour of the hollow shaft is, at least sectionally, tapered or spherically shaped, and wherein the inner contour has an inner diameter that is increasing from the distal end to the proximal end.

13. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner contour of the hollow shaft is adapted to an at least sectionally tapered or spherical shape of the outer contour of the trocar mandrel to prestress the trocar sleeve when the trocar mandrel is advanced in the hollow shaft towards the distal end.

14. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a thread section that is formed at the hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft, the thread section and the handling head are formed in one piece.

15. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner contour of the hollow shaft is, at least sectionally, non-rotationally symmetric, and provided with a non-circular cross-section.

16. The trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of a sealing contour and a sealing receiving contour is formed at the proximal end of the hollow shaft in the vicinity of the handling head.

17. A trocar system comprising a trocar sleeve as claimed in claim 1 and a trocar mandrel that is arranged to be inserted in the trocar sleeve, while generating a defined preloading at the hollow shaft of the trocar sleeve.

18. The trocar system as claimed in claim 17, wherein, in a detached state of the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel, a defined interference between the inner contour of the hollow shaft and the outer contour of the trocar mandrel in present, and wherein the hollow shaft is at least sectionally widened when the trocar mandrel is inserted in the trocar sleeve.

19. A method of manufacturing a trocar sleeve, comprising the following steps: providing a mold that is configured for integrally forming a trocar sleeve having a hollow shaft and a handling head, providing an elastomer material, molding the trocar sleeve, comprising filling the mold with the elastomer material, including integrally forming the hollow shaft and the handling head, wherein at the hollow shaft of the trocar sleeve an inner contour is formed that is adapted to an outer contour of a trocar mandrel such that the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel generate in an assembled state, upon insertion of the trocar mandrel in the trocar sleeve, a defined preloading that stabilizes the trocar sleeve.

20. A method for providing a trocar system, comprising: manufacturing a trocar sleeve in accordance with the method as claimed in claim 19, providing a trocar mandrel that is adapted to the trocar sleeve, wherein the trocar mandrel comprises an outer contour that is adapted to the inner contour of the hollow shaft, and inserting the trocar mandrel in the trocar sleeve, comprising at least sectionally widening the trocar sleeve, including generating a preloading in the hollow shaft of the trocar sleeve to stabilize the trocar sleeve upon the insertion of the trocar mandrel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Further features and advantages of the disclosure are disclosed by the following description of a plurality of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0068] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trocar system;

[0069] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trocar sleeve, seen from the distal end;

[0070] FIG. 3 is a broken longitudinal cross-section through the trocar sleeve according to FIG. 2;

[0071] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-section through a trocar system, comprising a trocar sleeve according to FIGS. 2 and 3, and a trocar mandrel, in a first axial relative position;

[0072] FIG. 5 shows the trocar system according to FIG. 4 in a second axial relative position;

[0073] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of a distal end of a trocar system;

[0074] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section through a further embodiment of a trocar sleeve;

[0075] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further trocar sleeve, seen from the distal end;

[0076] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-section through the trocar sleeve according to FIG. 8;

[0077] FIG. 10 is a frontal cross-section through the trocar sleeve according to FIG. 9, wherein the view orientation is indicated in FIG. 9 by a line X-X;

[0078] FIG. 11 is a frontal cross-section through a trocar system, comprising a trocar sleeve and a trocar mandrel, wherein the view orientation is elucidated in FIG. 9 by a line designated by XI-XI;

[0079] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a trocar sleeve, seen from the distal end;

[0080] FIG. 13 is a frontal cross-section through the trocar sleeve according to FIG. 12 along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12;

[0081] FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram elucidating a method of manufacturing a trocar sleeve; and

[0082] FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram elucidating a method of providing a trocar system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0083] With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional arrangement of a trocar system 10 will be elucidated. The trocar system 10 is generally referred to as trocar. The trocar system 10 comprises a trocar mandrel 12 and a trocar sleeve 14 that is insertable in the trocar mandrel 12 to introduce the trocar system 10 in a body opening, for instance in the abdominal region. The trocar system 10 comprises an elongated shape wherein the trocar mandrel 12 and the trocar sleeve 14 comprise a common longitudinal axis.

[0084] The trocar mandrel 12 comprises a shaft 16 at the distal end thereof a tip 18 is formed. At the proximal end of the shaft 16 of the trocar mandrel 12, a handling section 20 is formed.

[0085] The trocar sleeve 14 comprises a hollow shaft 24 that may also be referred to as tube. The trocar sleeve 14 further comprises a handling head 26 that is arranged at a proximal end of the trocar sleeve 14 or at least adjacent thereto. By way of example, the handling head 26 comprises a port 28 that is provided with a valve through which irrigation fluids, gases and such like may be supplied and led away.

[0086] The trocar system 10 elucidated in FIG. 1 comprises a rigid trocar sleeve 14, for instance a trocar sleeve 14 having a rigid hollow shaft 24. Further, trocar systems are known that comprise trocar sleeves that are, at least sectionally, arranged to be flexible and bendable. This may be helpful for feeding through bent instruments.

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 13 several exemplary embodiments of trocar systems and respective of trocar sleeves will be elucidated the hollow shafts of which are arranged to be flexible and deflectable. In exemplary embodiments, the trocar sleeves described hereinafter are manufactured from an elastomer material having a defined maximum Shore hardness value. Further, the trocar sleeves are integrally manufactured and integrate several components without the need of a multi-part structure.

[0088] The exemplary embodiments elucidated hereinafter relate to several aspects of the design and manufacture of trocar systems. It goes without saying that single features which are provided at one of the embodiments may also be transferred to other embodiments, and in fact isolated from other features of the respective exemplary embodiments.

[0089] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 a first embodiment of a trocar sleeve that is in its entirety designated by 40 will be elucidated in more detail. Similarly to what is shown in FIG. 1, the trocar sleeve 40 may be combined with a trocar mandrel to form a trocar system.

[0090] The trocar sleeve 40 comprises a hollow shaft 42 and a handling head 44. The hollow shaft 42 and the handling head 44 are integrally shaped and manufactured in one piece. The handling head 44 and the hollow shaft 42 together define a longitudinal extension of the trocar sleeve 40, refer also to a longitudinal axis that is designated in FIG. 3 by 68. The hollow shaft 42 defines a passage 46 extending in the longitudinal direction that is intended to accommodate a trocar mandrel or an instrument.

[0091] The hollow shaft 42 further comprises a distal end 48 and a proximal end 50. The distal end 48 is the end that is facing the interior of the patient when the trocar sleeve 40 is placed at a tissue section, for instance at an abdominal wall of the patient. The proximal end 50 is in this state facing the user or operating surgeon and accordingly facing away from the interior of the patient. At the proximal end 50 of the hollow shaft 42, the handling head 44 is formed.

[0092] In exemplary embodiments, the hollow shaft 42 comprises, at least sectionally, a smooth surface 52 that is not arranged as a corrugated surface and/or a curly surface. Nevertheless, at least in accordance with some embodiments, at the hollow shaft 42 a thread section 54 is formed that comprises, for instance, at least one thread turn 56 which may also be referred to as helix. Preferably, also the thread section 54 is shaped as an integral component of the trocar sleeve 40. In this connection, reference is made to the broken cross-sectional view according to FIG. 3. It is apparent that the hollow shaft 42, the handling head 44 and, is present, the thread section 54 are formed in one piece.

[0093] The pitch and the height of the turn of the thread 56 may be variable and may consider specific operating conditions. This may involve a huge pitch at a distal run-out of the turn of the thread 56. At a proximal run-out of the turn of the thread 56, however, a significantly reduced pitch may be provided. Similarly, the thread turn 56 may comprise, at its distal end, a very small height gradually developing to a maximum height, wherein a greater reduction of the height (per circumferential section) is present towards the proximal end of the thread turn 56. This arrangement may have the effect that the trocar sleeve 40, on the one hand, may be easily inserted in tissue as the distal end of the thread turn 56 is, so to say, shaped as an insertion aid. The pitch of the thread turn 56 is reduced towards the proximal end of the thread turn 56, and, further, a considerable height is still present. In this way, the hollow shaft 42 that is provided with the thread section 54 is well secured against a displacement towards the proximal end. It goes without saying that the arrangement of the thread section 54 elucidated herein is merely exemplary.

[0094] In some embodiments, it is conceivable to manufacture the trocar sleeve 40 integrally and by casting from a flexible material, such as an elastomer material, for instance. This enables a great freedom of design and, in some embodiments, the formation of additional components. In some embodiments, with the selected materials, there is no great likelihood of a formation of cavities/shrinking and such like. Hence, not in each case great care has to be applied to provide a more or less constant wall thickness. This applies in particular also to the thread section 54. Accordingly, both the surface at the outer side of the hollow shaft 42 and an inner contour 72 (refer to FIG. 3) at an inner side of the hollow shaft 52 may be smoothly shaped.

[0095] Taken in combination, it can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the handling head 44 nevertheless may comprise a rib structure to provide, on the one hand, a great stability, and to avoid, on the other hand, material accumulations.

[0096] The handling head 44 is radially enlarged with respect to the hollow shaft 42 and also provides an increased receiving opening. Further, the handling head 44 is provided with basically axially extending ribs 58 and with basically circumferentially extending ribs 60. The axial ribs 58 and the circumferential ribs 60 form a cross structure. The ribs 58, 60 define and/or surround recesses or depressions 62 that contribute to the prevention of material accumulations and/or to weight reduction, and to the optimization of the weight distribution. The hollow shaft 42 comprises a cylindrical wall 70 that surrounds the longitudinal axis 68. At the inner side of the wall 70, the inner contour 72 is formed.

[0097] The embodiment of the trocar sleeve 40 elucidated with reference to FIG. 3 further comprises, at the handling head 44, a groove-shaped mount 74, that may for instance serve for receiving a seal. The handling head 44 leads to a proximal termination surface 66 upstream of which, however, the mount 74 may be provided.

[0098] With reference to the longitudinal cross-section shown in FIG. 3, characteristic dimensions of the trocar sleeve 40 will be elucidated. A distal inner diameter of the hollow shaft 42 is denoted by D.sub.di. A proximal inner diameter of the hollow shaft 42 is denoted by D.sub.pi. A thickness of the wall 70 at the distal end 48 is denoted by t.sub.d. A thickness of the wall 70 at the proximal end of the hollow shaft 42 is denoted by t.sub.p.

[0099] Embodiments may be envisaged wherein the inner contour 72 of the hollow shaft 42 comprises along its longitudinal extension a basically constant cross-section (D.sub.di=D.sub.pi). However, also embodiments may be envisaged, wherein D.sub.di<D.sub.pi applies. In accordance with this embodiment, the inner contour 72 is for instance conical or spherically shaped and provided with a tapering towards the distal end 48.

[0100] In accordance with alternative or additional arrangements, the thickness of the wall 70 along the longitudinal extension of the hollow shaft 72 is basically constant (t.sub.d=t.sub.p). However, there are also arrangements conceivable, refer for instance to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, wherein the wall thickness of the wall 70 is increased from the distal end 48 towards the proximal end 50 (t.sub.d<t.sub.p). Any of the afore-mentioned embodiments may be combined with one another.

[0101] It is essential that the inner contour 72 is adapted to the outer contour of a trocar mandrel such that a widening of the hollow shaft 72 is generated in the desired manner when the trocar mandrel is inserted in the trocar sleeve 40. Therefore, in some embodiments, at least one of the hollow shaft 42 and the trocar mandrel is at least sectionally tapered, conically or spherically shaped.

[0102] In this connection, additional reference is made to the FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 which elucidate a trocar system 76 that comprises a trocar sleeve 40, for instance in accordance with the FIGS. 2 and 3, and a trocar mandrel denoted by 80.

[0103] As already elucidated in connection with FIG. 1, the trocar mandrel 80 comprises at its distal end a tip 82 and at its proximal end that is facing away from the distal end, a handling section 84. A shaft 86 extends between the tip 82 and the handling section 84. At the shaft 86, a circumferential contour or outer contour 88 is formed that comes into contact with the inner contour 72 of the hollow shaft 42 of the trocar sleeve 40.

[0104] In FIG. 4, proximal dimension and/or a proximal diameter of the outer contour 88 is indicated by D.sub.pe. In FIG. 5, a distal dimension and/or a distal diameter of the outer contour 88 is indicated by D.sub.de. In accordance with at least some embodiments, D.sub.pe=D.sub.de applies to the trocar mandrel 80. Accordingly, the shaft 86 of the trocar mandrel 80 is, at least along substantial sections of its longitudinal extension, cylindrically shaped and hence comprises a constant cross-section. However, there are also arrangements conceivable wherein D.sub.de<D.sub.pe applies. Accordingly, also the shaft 86 of the trocar mandrel 80 may be at least sectionally tapered in a conical or spherical manner towards its distal end. It goes without saying that in addition the tip 82 is provided. Accordingly, it is conceivable that at least the inner contour 72 or the outer contour 88 are tapered towards the distal end. It is however also conceivable to form both the inner contour 72 and the outer contour 88 cylindrically with constant cross-sections. Further, it is to be noted that the cross-sections of the inner contour 72 and/or the outer contour 88 do not necessarily have to be circularly shaped. Also cross-sections that are oval or that deviate in another fashion from a pure circular shape are also conceivable. Insofar, the indications D.sub.di, D.sub.pi, D.sub.de and D.sub.pe do not necessarily have to be interpreted as diameter indications.

[0105] FIG. 4 shows a state of the trocar system 76 wherein the trocar mandrel 80 is inserted in the trocar sleeve 40 but not yet entirely led through the sleeve 40, refer an offset dimension O.sub.1 in FIG. 4 between the distal end 48 of the trocar sleeve 40 and the tip 82 of the trocar mandrel 80. Further, an insertion direction is to be noted in FIG. 4 by 92.

[0106] In FIG. 5, the trocar mandrel 80 is entirely inserted in the trocar sleeve 40 so that the tip 82 extends beyond the distal end 48 of the hollow shaft 42, refer to an offset dimension denoted by O.sub.2 in FIG. 5. Further, the handling section 84 of the trocar mandrel 80 abuts the handling head 44 of the trocar sleeve 40 in FIG. 5. The handling section 84 contacts the proximal termination surface 66 of the handling head 44.

[0107] In accordance with substantial aspects of the present disclosure, the trocar mandrel 80 widens the hollow shaft 42 of the trocar sleeve 40 while the trocar mandrel 80 is inserted in the trocar sleeve 40 and/or when the trocar mandrel 80 is entirely inserted therein. Radial expansion of the hollow shaft 42 is elucidated in FIG. 5 by arrows denoted by 94. In other words, the outer contour 88 of the trocar mandrel 80 is having a certain excess size, compared to the inner contour 72 of the hollow shaft 42 so that the soft hollow shaft 42 is widened. In this way, at the hollow shaft 42, particularly in the region of the inner contour 72 that is in direct contact with the outer contour 88, tensions are generated. Tensions of this kind effect a stabilization of the as such soft, elastic trocar sleeve 40. The hollow shaft 42 is mounted at the trocar mandrel 80 in a preloaded manner. In this way, when placing the trocar, for instance a compression or an expansion of the hollow shaft 42 in the direction of its longitudinal extension is efficiently reduced and/or nearly prevented. The same implies to a twisting (torsion) of the hollow shaft 42 about its longitudinal axis.

[0108] In FIG. 6, the excess size of the trocar mandrel 80 with respect to the inner contour 72 of the hollow shaft 42 in an intersection region is indicated, refer to the outer dimension (outer diameter D.sub.e) of the trocar mandrel 80 and the inner dimension (inner diameter T.sub.i) of the hollow shaft 42. A desired excess size may be defined by an appropriate design of the inner contour 72 and the outer contour 88 which results in a defined preloading at the hollow shaft 42. As already indicated herein before, several arrangements are conceivable, involving cylindrical, conical and/or spherical shapes, to cause the desired tension characteristic. This may relate to a ratio between the achieved preloading at the hollow shaft 72 and the present axial position of the trocar mandrel 80 with respect to the trocar sleeve 40.

[0109] FIG. 7 elucidates a modified embodiment of a trocar sleeve that is denoted by 140. The trocar sleeve 140 is basically arranged in a fashion similar to the trocar sleeve 40 elucidated with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. The trocar sleeve 140 is provided with a hollow shaft 42 and a handling head 44, as already described herein before. At a proximal end of the handling head 44, a seal 100 is formed, that comprises a circumferential sealing contour and/or sealing lip 102. It can be seen from the hatching of the longitudinal cross-section through the trocar sleeve 140 according to FIG. 7 that the seal 100 is formed as an integral component of the trocar sleeve 140. As the trocar sleeve 140 is integrally manufactured from an elastomer material, also sealing arrangements may be integrated and formed in one piece with the hollow shaft 42 and the handling head 44.

[0110] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a further embodiment of a trocar sleeve is elucidated which is denoted by 240. Also the trocar sleeve 240 is arranged basically similar to the trocar sleeve 40 and provided with a hollow shaft 42 and a handling head 44. Further, by way of example, a thread section 54 is formed.

[0111] It can be seen from the cross-sectional view in FIG. 9 that a thickness of the wall 70 of the hollow shaft 42 from the distal end 48 towards the proximal end 50 significantly increases, refer the dimensions t.sub.d and t.sub.p. Hence, a desired strength behavior and/or preloading behavior along the longitudinal axis of the hollow shaft 42 may be achieved, when a trocar mandrel is inserted in the trocar sleeve 240.

[0112] As a modification with respect to the exemplary embodiments elucidated herein before, the handling head 44 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is compact shaped and not provided with stiffeners. Also such a design is conceivable. At the handling head 44, a receiving contour and/or mount 74 for a seal is formed, refer to FIG. 9. Starting at the hollow shaft 42, the handling head 44 comprises a concave transition 106. Further, rib-shaped elevations 108 are formed; refer in this context also to FIG. 10 which will be described in more detail further below. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises two rib-shaped elevations 108 that are offset from one another by 180, and that are elevated with respect to the concave transition 106. The handling head 44 terminates in a proximal termination surface 110 upstream of which, however, the mount 74 may be provided.

[0113] FIG. 10 elucidates an axial cross-section through the trocar sleeve 240 elucidated with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 9, a line X-X indicates the curve of the cross-section. By the insertion of the trocar mandrel, the wall 70 of the hollow shaft 42 may be widened. In FIG. 10, the wall 70 surrounds a circular passage 46. It goes without saying that also other profiles are conceivable.

[0114] In this connection, additional reference is made to FIG. 11 that elucidates a further axial cross-section through a trocar sleeve that is denoted by 340. In the trocar sleeve 340, a trocar mandrel 180 is accommodated. The embodiment of the trocar sleeve 340 elucidated with reference to FIG. 11 does not entirely correspond to the arrangement of the trocar sleeve 240 according to FIG. 9. Nevertheless, primarily for illustrative purposes, in FIG. 9 a curve of the cross-section is indicated by a line denoted by XI-XI.

[0115] FIG. 11 shows a view from the proximal end at the thread turn 56 of the thread section 54. As already elucidated herein before, a height of the thread turn 56 with respect to a surface 52 of the hollow shaft 42 is variable.

[0116] The trocar sleeve 340 and the trocar mandrel 180 in accordance with the arrangement of FIG. 11 differ from the embodiments described herein before by a rotation prevention feature 114. The rotation prevention feature 114 comprises at least one position securing element 116 at the trocar mandrel 180. At the trocar sleeve 340, the rotation prevention feature 114 comprises at least one position securing element 118. The position securing element 116 may be arranged as an elevation extending in the longitudinal direction. The position securing element 118 may be arranged as a depression extending in the longitudinal direction that is adapted to the elevation. In FIG. 11, the rotation prevention feature 114 comprises two respective pairs of position securing elements 116, 118 that are displaced by 180.

[0117] When, for instance due to external forces, either the trocar sleeve 340 or the trocar mandrel 180 are respectively rotated with respect to the other component, in the region of the position securing elements 116, 118, for instance, an increase of the preloading at the hollow shaft 42 is caused when the position securing elements 116, 118 tend to disengage. This results in a considerable local widening and hence in a further increase of the inherent stability of the hollow shaft 42 of the trocar sleeve 340. In other words, the increase of the stability of the hollow shaft 42 is the greater the greater the as such deforming moment is.

[0118] It goes without saying that the rotation prevention feature 114 may involve also other embodiments of position securing elements 116, 118. For instance, profiles of the inner contour 72 and the outer contour 88 may be oval shaped or in another way shaped non-circular.

[0119] With additional reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a further embodiment of a trocar sleeve will be elucidated that is denoted by 440. The trocar sleeve 440 is basically formed in accordance with the arrangement of the trocar sleeve 40 elucidated with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0120] FIG. 13 elucidates an axial cross-section through the trocar sleeve 440 that is represented, for illustrative purposes, in the perspective view of FIG. 12 by a line XIII-XIII.

[0121] The trocar sleeve 440 primarily differs from the arrangements in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 6 by the shape of the handling head 44. The handling head 44 of the trocar sleeve 440 is compact shaped and not provided with ribs or depressions. Insofar, although the handling head 44 comprises material accumulations, this is, however, not necessarily detrimental with the selected materials and/or manufacturing processes. It can be seen from the frontal view of FIG. 13 that the handling head 44 comprises a thickening 122, wherein elevations 124 are provided that extend from the thickening 122 radially outwards. By way of example, two elevations 124 are provided that are displaced by 180. The elevations 124 respectively comprise an entrainment flank 126 through which a force may be transmitted, for instance to rotate the trocar sleeve 440, refer to an arrow denoted by 128 in in FIG. 12 that elucidates the rotation direction. In this way, the trocar sleeve 440, or a trocar system comprising the trocar sleeve 440 and a trocar mandrel accommodated therein, may be operated, for instance to screw in the thread section 54. In this way, the insertion of the trocar system is facilitated.

[0122] In regard of the elevations 124 that are provided with respective entrainment flanks 126, it is to be noted that also the trocar sleeve 40 in FIG. 2 comprises at least a similar design, wherein the thickening (122 in FIG. 12) is simply replaced by ribs 58 and recesses 62 there.

[0123] With reference to FIG. 14, an exemplary embodiment of a method for manufacturing a trocar sleeve will be elucidated by means of a block diagram. The method involves a step S10 that comprises the provision of a mold that is arranged for forming a trocar sleeve including a flexible hollow shaft and a handling head. The mold generally comprises at least one cavity which, so to say, represents a negative of the desired trocar sleeve. In a further step S12, an elastomer material is provided. In some embodiments, a material is provided that comprises, in the processed/molded state, a certain defined Shore hardness. A sufficient flexibility is present in a material having a Shore hardness, determined in accordance with International Standard ISO 7619-1 (ISO 7619-1:2010), of no more than 90 Shore A. In certain embodiments, the Shore hardness is less than 70 Shore A. In certain embodiments, the Shore hardness is less than 50 Shore A. In an exemplary embodiment, the Shore hardness is 70 Shore A, or approximately 70 Shore A.

[0124] A further step S14 that relates to the manufacture of the trocar sleeve by casting or molding follows on the steps S10 and S12. The step S14 involves filling the mold with an appropriate starting material. The casting or molding further involves integrally forming the hollow shaft and the handling head. At the hollow shaft, an inner contour is selected that is adapted to an outer contour of a trocar mandrel in such a way that the trocar sleeve and the trocar mandrel are arranged to be coupled with one another while generating a defined preloading to guide the trocar sleeve in a defined manner.

[0125] With reference to FIG. 15, a method of providing a trocar system is elucidated by means of a block diagram. The method involves a step S50 that involves manufacturing a trocar sleeve, for instance in accordance with manufacturing method elucidated with reference to FIG. 14. The method comprises a further step S52 that involves the provision of a trocar mandrel that is adapted to the trocar sleeve. In some embodiments, the trocar mandrel comprises an outer contour that is adapted to an inner contour of the hollow shaft of the trocar sleeve. This may involve arrangements wherein the outer contour of the trocar mandrel is deliberately selected to be somewhat larger than the inner contour of the hollow shaft.

[0126] Eventually a step S54 follows that relates to an insertion of the trocar mandrel in the trocar sleeve, wherein the trocar sleeve is at least sectionally widened. This involves the generation of a defined preloading in the hollow shaft of the trocar sleeve. This may be used for mechanically stabilizing the trocar sleeve in combination with the trocar mandrel.