Surgical device with tack-free gel and method of manufacture
First Claim
1. A method of making a tack-free gel, comprising the steps of:
- providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material;
pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and
forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process of making a tack-free gel is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material; pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel. The forming step further comprises cooling the gel from the molten state to a solidified state. The melting temperature of the plastic material is lower than the molding temperature of the gel; and the higher the temperature differential, the greater the melting of the plastic material and the thicker the layer of the plastic material on the surface of the gel. The mold may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). With the process of the invention, the heat of the molten gel at its molding temperature is transferred to the surface of the LDPE mold so as to melt a thin layer of the LDPE. The mold may comprise a mold base having a plurality of mold holes forming a plurality of mold cavities, each of the mold holes comprising an axial pin to mold an axial hole through a center of the gel, an LDPE cylinder providing a predetermined inside diameter for the mold, and an LDPE disc mounted on the axial pin and disposed at the bottom of each mold cavity in the mold base. The process may further comprise the step of dabbing the gel in a low-friction powder such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a lubricant. The mold may further comprise a mold top disposed axially of the mold base and comprises a plurality of holes forming a plurality of cavities, each of the mold top holes is adapted to receive the LDPE cylinder, and a second LDPE disc disposed at the top of each mold cavity of the mold top.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method of making a tack-free gel, comprising the steps of:
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providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material;
pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and
forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of making a tack-free gel by co-extrusion, comprising the steps of:
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extruding an elongate sleeve formed of a plastic material around a molten gel having a high molding temperature, the elongate sleeve having an axis and a diameter;
pressurizing the molten gel to control the diameter of the filled elongate sleeve; and
cooling the filled elongate sleeve to form the tack-free gel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A trocar adapted to provide access for a surgical instrument through a body wall and into a body cavity, comprising:
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a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end;
a seal housing communicating with the cannula to define a working channel;
a seal assembly disposed within the seal housing;
at least one roller included in the seal assembly and having an axle supported by the seal housing; and
the roller having a tack-free surface and properties for forming a zero seal in the absence of the instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of the instrument. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A medical access device, comprising:
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a tubular member having an elongate configuration;
at least one wall defining with the tubular member a working channel sized and configured to receive an instrument; and
a gel disposed in the working channel and being adapted to form a seal with any instrument disposed in the working channel, wherein the gel includes a non-tacky film to facilitate movement of any instrument through the working channel. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A surgical handport facilitating a sealing relationship with a surgeon'"'"'s arm extending through the handport and into an incision in an abdominal wall of a patient, comprising:
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a valve structure comprising only a single valve disposed relative to the incision in the abdominal wall, the single valve having a first state in the absence of the arm of the surgeon extending through the valve structure, and a second state in the presence of the arm of the surgeon extending through the valve structure;
means for coupling the valve structure to the abdominal wall in a sealing relationship with the abdominal wall around the incision;
the single valve in the first state forming a zero seal in the absence of the arm of the surgeon extending through the valve structure; and
the single valve structure in the second state forming an arm seal with the arm of the surgeon in the presence of the arm of the surgeon extending through the handport, wherein the single valve includes a non-tacky film to facilitate movement of the arm of the surgeon through the handport. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49)
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Specification