Endoscopic access assembly
First Claim
1. An access assembly for providing a passage for a surgical instrument and maintaining insufflation of a body cavity during an endoscopic surgical procedure, said assembly comprising:
- a) a base having a flange and a neck extending from said flange, said flange having a flange opening therein, and said neck having a longitudinal lumen extending therethrough in communication with said flange opening;
b) an elastomeric sealing element having an elongated central channel and an outer inflatable sleeve, said channel having proximal and distal ends, said proximal end affixed to said flange and extending through said flange opening and neck lumen, said channel defining a passageway from said flange opening into said body cavity for receiving an endoscopic surgical instrument therethrough, said outer inflatable sleeve having a proximal tubular portion affixed to said neck and a distal balloon portion coterminous with said channel distal end, said inner channel and said outer sleeve defining an inflation space between said inner channel and said outer sleeve; and
c) a conduit in fluid communication with said inflation space, wherein when an inflation fluid is delivered through said conduit into said inflation space, said distal balloon portion is inflated and said inner channel is compressed so as to constrict said channel passageway.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access assembly to provide access for surgical instruments during endoscopic surgical procedures and simultaneously seal the access opening when the instrument is withdrawn is disclosed. The assembly has a base, and an elastomeric sealing element and a tubular conduit. The base has a flange and a neck. The elastomeric sealing element has an inner elongated central channel which provides a passageway for surgical instruments into a body cavity. The sealing element also has an outer inflatable sleeve. When the space between the inner channel and outer sleeve is inflated, a distal balloon portion of the sleeve is inflated and the inner channel is compressed to constrict the inner channel passageway and therefore provide a seal. The primary advantages of this access assembly are that it provides a precise passage into the channel so that the elastomeric sealing element is not inadvertently punctured, and it can be manufactured in a cost effective manner because the base of the access assembly provides a ready platform for manufacture and attachment of the sealing element.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An access assembly for providing a passage for a surgical instrument and maintaining insufflation of a body cavity during an endoscopic surgical procedure, said assembly comprising:
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a) a base having a flange and a neck extending from said flange, said flange having a flange opening therein, and said neck having a longitudinal lumen extending therethrough in communication with said flange opening; b) an elastomeric sealing element having an elongated central channel and an outer inflatable sleeve, said channel having proximal and distal ends, said proximal end affixed to said flange and extending through said flange opening and neck lumen, said channel defining a passageway from said flange opening into said body cavity for receiving an endoscopic surgical instrument therethrough, said outer inflatable sleeve having a proximal tubular portion affixed to said neck and a distal balloon portion coterminous with said channel distal end, said inner channel and said outer sleeve defining an inflation space between said inner channel and said outer sleeve; and c) a conduit in fluid communication with said inflation space, wherein when an inflation fluid is delivered through said conduit into said inflation space, said distal balloon portion is inflated and said inner channel is compressed so as to constrict said channel passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification