Access device maintenance apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A medical access device having a stored state and an active state, and being formed with a working channel adapted to provide access through the device and into a body conduit, comprising:
- an access valve disposed along the working channel;
a first compliant material included in the access valve;
a second material included in the access valve in an opposing relationship with the first material;
the first material and the second material defining a slit extending through the access valve along the working channel;
the slit in the active state of the device being normally closed with the first material contacting the second material;
a strip disposed in the slit to inhibit the contacting relationship of the first material and the second material-in the stored state of the device, the strip being removable from the slit to initiate the active state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trocar includes a valve housing and cannula which define a working channel. A valve disposed in the valve housing along the working channel includes a gel material which defines a slit that functions as a zero seal in the absence of an instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of an instrument. The slit is formed by mating gel components which are preferably separated during storage of the device. This separation can be facilitated by a pull strip which can be pre-lubricated and inserted into the slit for ultimate removal prior to activation of the trocar.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A medical access device having a stored state and an active state, and being formed with a working channel adapted to provide access through the device and into a body conduit, comprising:
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an access valve disposed along the working channel;
a first compliant material included in the access valve;
a second material included in the access valve in an opposing relationship with the first material;
the first material and the second material defining a slit extending through the access valve along the working channel;
the slit in the active state of the device being normally closed with the first material contacting the second material;
a strip disposed in the slit to inhibit the contacting relationship of the first material and the second material-in the stored state of the device, the strip being removable from the slit to initiate the active state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A medical access device having a working channel adapted to provide access for a medical instrument into a body conduit, comprising:
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an access valve disposed along the working channel and adapted to form an instrument seal with the instrument when the instrument is in the working channel;
a pair of mating seal components defining the working channel through the access valve, the seal components having a tendency to form a bond when left in contact; and
removable means for separating the seal components to inhibit formation of the bond when the device is not in use. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for facilitating formation of an instrument seal using a medical access device adapted to receive a medical instrument, the access device having an access valve with a proximal side and a distal side, comprising the steps of:
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providing the access valve with a first element and a second element disposed in a normally contacting relationship with the first element, the second element defining with the first element an opening to receive the medical instrument, the opening extending from the proximal side of the access valve to the distal side of the access valve;
separating the first element from the second element to inhibit the normal contacting relationship of the first element and the second element during a period of non-use; and
inhibiting the separating step to prepare the access device for receipt of the instrument. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for facilitating formation of an instrument seal using a medical access device adapted to receive a medical instrument, comprising the steps of:
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providing an access valve having a pair of complimenting seal components defining a proximal side and a distal side of the access valve, the seal components being adapted to form the instrument seal with the instrument;
providing a lubrication strip with a lubricant disposed in proximity to a distal end of the strip;
positioning the lubricating strip to extend between the seal components with the distal end of the strip extending distally of the distal side of the access valve;
removing the strip from between the seal components; and
during the removing step depositing the lubricant on the access valve. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for inserting a flexible separation strip between seal components in a medical access device having a working channel extending between a proximal end and a distal end, including the steps of:
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forming the strip with a narrow distal end and an enlarged proximal end;
inserting a grasper into the working channel and between the seal components;
grasping the strip with the grasper;
withdrawing the grasper from the working channel; and
during the withdrawing step, pulling the strip in through the working channel and between the seal components of the access device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification