Laparoscopic access port for surgical instruments or the hand

US6840951B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Etheicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Roger de la Torre · Chesterfield, US
• James Scott · Chandler, US
• George D. Hermann · Los Gatos, US
• Thomas A. Howell · Palo Alto, US
• James E. Jervis · Atherton, US
• Kenneth H. Mollenauer · Portola Valley, US
• Roderick A. Young · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2005
• Expiry date: Oct 23, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/3492
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A flexible, fluid-tight envelope provides access for a hand and surgical instruments through a body tissue incision while maintaining insufflation pressure or a pneumoperitoneum within the body. The envelope is transparent and has an interior volume with opposite proximal and distal ends. A first opening in the envelope at the proximal end adjoins the incision in the body tissue and is secured and sealed to the body tissue. The second opening at the envelope distal end is provided with a closure member that seals closed the second opening on itself or around the forearm of a surgeon or a surgical instrument inserted into the interior volume of the envelope.