Surgical hand access apparatus

• US 20040254426A1
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wenchell, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,153,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00265 Hand assisted surgery, i.e. minimally invasive surgery with at least part of an assisting hand inside the body

Abstract

A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon'"'"'s arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon'"'"'s arm. The fabric seal is elongated extending along the longitudinal axis and may define a general hour glass configuration. A pair of flexible bands may be mounted about the fabric seal. The flexible bands are adapted to engage an outer surface of the seal to bias the fabric seal to a closed position thereof.

Claims

1. A hand access device, which comprises:

a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon'"'"'s arm; and

a fabric seal mounted within the passageway, the fabric seal including an elastomeric material and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon'"'"'s arm.

2. The hand access device of claim 1 wherein the fabric seal is twisted about the longitudinal axis so as to form a constriction.

3. The hand access device of claim 1 wherein the fabric seal is arranged to define a constriction.

4. The hand access device according to claim 1 wherein the fabric seal is elongated extending along the longitudinal axis.

5. The hand access device according to claim 4 wherein the fabric seal generally defines an hourglass configuration.

6. The hand access device according to claim 4 including at least one flexible band mounted about the fabric seal, the flexible band adapted to engage an outer surface of the seal to bias the fabric seal to a closed position thereof.

7. The hand access device according to claim 6 wherein the at least one flexible band comprises a pair of flexible bands connected to each other at respective end portions thereof, the flexible bands arranged in opposed relation whereby the flexible bands are adapted to bow outwardly upon passage of the surgeon'"'"'s arm through the fabric seal, and return to the closed position in the absence of the surgeon'"'"'s arm.

8. The hand access device according to claim 1 wherein the fabric seal comprises a lubricious coating.

9. An assembly for permitting access to a body cavity, which comprises:

a base retractor at least partially positionable within an opening in tissue and adapted to at least partially retract the tissue surrounding the opening, the base retractor defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal channel extending along the longitudinal axis; and

a hand access device mounted to the base retractor, the hand access device including a housing member having a passageway dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon'"'"'s arm or hand and a fabric seal disposed within the housing member, the fabric seal defining a seal opening adapted to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon'"'"'s arm or hand.

10. The hand access device according to claim 9 wherein the fabric seal is normally biased to a position wherein the seal opening is substantially closed.

11. The hand access device according to claim 9 including at least one flexible band mounted adjacent a periphery of the fabric seal, the flexible band normally biased to engage the fabric seal and cause the fabric seal to assume a position where the seal opening is substantially closed.

12. The hand access device according to claim 11 including a pair of flexible bands mounted about the periphery of the fabric seal, the flexible bands normally biased to engage the fabric seal to substantially close the seal opening thereof, the flexible bands further adapted to move in a radial outward direction upon passage of the surgeon'"'"'s arm or hand through the fabric seal.

13. The hand access device according to claim 12 wherein the flexible bands are connected at respective end portions thereof and are adapted to bow outwardly upon passage of the surgeon'"'"'s arm or hand.

14. The hand access device according to claim 13 wherein the flexible bands include slots therein.

15. The hand access device according to claim 9 wherein the hand access device is releasably mounted to the base retractor.

16. The hand access device according to claim 15 wherein the hand access device is mounted for rotational movement relative to the base retractor.