A surgical sealing device

• US 20060161050A1
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Original Assignee: Atropos Limited
• Inventors: Vaugh, Trevor, Bonadio, Frank, Butler, John
• Application Number:
  US11/291,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161050A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/208
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• 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 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0633 the seal being a passive seal made of a resilient material with or without an opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/064 Slit-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0666 Flap-valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0686 comprising more than one seal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/06 Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0606 without means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0613 with means for adjusting the seal opening or pressure A61M39/0693 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical sealing device (405), suitable for use during a surgical procedure such as a laparoscopic procedure or a hand-assisted laparoscopic procedure, comprises a first sealing member (5) and a second sealing member (6). A thin slit is defined between the sealing members (5, 6). In a closed configuration, the first sealing member (5) overlaps the distal end opening of a passageway (2) through the second sealing member (6) to prevent leakage of insufflation gases out of an abdomen (4). In an open configuration, the first sealing member (5) is retracted to reveal the distal end opening of the passageway (2) and thus facilitate passage of an object, such as a surgeon'"'"'s hand or forearm (3), into the abdomen (4). The device (405) comprises a planar support element (406) fixedly attached to the proximal exterior surface (408) of the first sealing member (5). The first sealing member (5) is fixedly attached to the second sealing member (6) at an attached region (409), with a detached region (407) remaining detached from the second sealing member (6). The support element (406) acts as a stiffening element to increase the stiffness of the detached region (407) of the first sealing member (5) to minimise the deformation of the detached region (407) of the first sealing member (5) when the surgeon'"'"'s hand/forearm (3) is pushed through the passageway (2). It is thus easier for the surgeon to retract the first sealing member (5) laterally to reveal the distal end opening of the passageway (2) by pushing the hand/forearm (3) through the passageway (2) and easier for the surgeon to pass the hand/forearm (3) through the device (405) and gain access to the abdomen (4).

Claims

1. A surgical sealing device comprising:

a first sealing valve for sealing across an opening to an internal cavity;

the first sealing valve comprising a first sealing member and a second sealing member;

the sealing members being movable relative to one another between a closed configuration, in which the sealing members at least partially overlap one another, for sealing across the opening, and an open configuration for facilitating passage of an object through the first sealing valve to access the internal cavity; and

at least one support element for at least partially supporting at least one of the sealing members to facilitate ease of passage of the object through the first sealing valve.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support element is configured to at least partially support the sealing member to facilitate ease of movement of the sealing members relative to one another from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support element is configured to minimise deformation of at least part of the sealing member.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing member is substantially planar.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support element is configured to minimise deformation of at least part of the sealing member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sealing member.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support element is substantially planar.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing members are fixedly attached to one another, each sealing member having a first region attached to the other sealing member and a second region which remains detached from the other sealing member.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the support element is configured to minimise deformation of the second region of the sealing member.

9. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the support element comprises a stiffening element to increase the stiffness of at least part of the sealing member.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support element is attached to the sealing member.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the support element is attached to an exterior surface of the sealing member.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the support element is embedded within the sealing member.

13. A surgical assembly comprising:

a retractor device for retracting the sides of an opening to an internal cavity; and

a surgical sealing device as claimed in claim 1.