Small diameter introducer for laparoscopic instruments
US5857999A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0233
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An introducer is shown and described which includes a number of unique and useful features designed to improve the process of obtaining access to a bodily cavity for the purpose of performing minimally invasive surgical procedures, particularly laparoscopic procedures. These features include, among others, a sharpened cannula distal end, in order to assist entry of the introducer through the tissue barrier into the bodily cavity, a substantially transparent support disk so that visual access to the insertion site is maintained at all times, a septum seal designed to sealingly receive instruments having a cross-sectional dimension of 2.2 mm or less, an improved anchoring device which is simply and manually actuated and is of an advantageous three-slit design, and a simple, side-mounted gas insufflation port, usable at all times during the procedure and adapted for connection to gas tubing fitted with a pinch clamp for easy control of the gas flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.