Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with deflection feature

• US 20080221389A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Beckman, Andrew T., Reese, Mark J., Cronin, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,002,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/114
• 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 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence

Abstract

A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion. The seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A ratchet mechanism is provided for controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth, wherein the series of gear teeth are oriented to engage the deflection feature.

Claims

1. A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures, comprising:

a seal cap including a seal positioned within a housing, the housing including a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation;

a ratchet mechanism controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring, the ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth, wherein the series of gear teeth are oriented to engage the deflection feature.

2. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the series of gear teeth is secured to the upper seal ring and the deflection feature is secured to the lower seal ring.

3. The seal assembly according to claim 2, wherein the upper seal ring includes a downwardly extending flange and the series of gear teeth is secured to the downwardly extending flange, and the lower seal ring includes an upwardly extending wall and the deflection feature is secured to the upwardly extending wall.

4. The seal assembly according to claim 3, wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener.

5. The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end and a second end rigidly secured to the lower seal ring.

6. The seal assembly according to claim 5, wherein the spring fastener includes a convex portion between the first end and the second end, and the convex portion is shaped and dimensioned to seat within the series of gear teeth as the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring are moved relative to each other.

7. The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end and a second end, and only the first end is rigidly secured to the lower seal ring.

8. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener.

9. The seal assembly according to claim 8, wherein the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end and a second end rigidly secured to the lower seal ring.

10. The seal assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spring fastener includes a convex portion between the first end and the second end, and the convex portion is shaped and dimensioned to seat within the series of gear teeth as the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring are moved relative to each other.

11. The seal assembly according to claim 1, further including a retractor extending from the seal cap.

12. The seal assembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing further includes an attachment ring detachably secured to the lower seal ring for permitting selective attachment of the retractor by positioning it between the attachment ring and the lower seal ring.

13. The seal assembly according to claim 1, where an upper end of the seal is connected to the upper seal ring and a lower end of the seal is connected to the lower seal ring.

14. The seal assembly according to claim 1, further including an ergonomic cover member secured to the upper seal ring, wherein the ergonomic cover member includes a contoured outer surface providing for improved handling and twisting of the upper seal ring for opening and closing the seal.

15. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal is an iris seal.

16. The seal assembly according to claim 15, wherein the iris seal is constructed in a folded configuration spanning the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring.

17. The seal assembly according to claim 16, wherein the iris seal is composed of a rubber like member.

18. The seal assembly according to claim 1, further including a contoured ring secured to the upper seal ring, the contoured ring including an inner circumference formed with a series of recesses shaped and dimensioned for receiving fingers of a user.