Seal assembly for accommodating introduction of surgical instruments
US5657963A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2039/0686
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A seal assembly is provided which includes a housing and resilient first seal member associated with the housing. The first seal member is preferably a gasket having an aperture formed therein for receiving surgical instrumentation adapted to cooperate with a dilating means having an exterior face associated with the housing for dilating the aperture of the gasket. The first seal member and the dilating member are adapted for relative movement therebetween, the first seal member and the dilating member assuming a first position wherein the aperture of the first seal member is spaced from the dilating member and assuming a second position wherein the aperture of the first seal member is stretched around the exterior face of the dilating member. A flexible member may also be provided to help maintain a seal between the first seal member and an instrument inserted therethrough, in particular when the instrument is moved in a transverse direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.