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Endoscopic portal having a universal seal and methods for introducing instruments therethrough

  • US 5,814,026 A
  • Filed: 03/19/1996
  • Issued: 09/29/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An endoscopic portal for establishing communication with a body cavity for the introduction of instruments through the endoscopic portal comprisinga resilient seal member having a variable size passage for communication with the body cavity to permit instruments of various cross sectional sizes to extend through said variable size passage for introduction of distal ends of the instruments in the body cavity, said seal member being disposed in a closed position wherein said variable size passage is closed and being movable to an open position wherein said variable size passage is open;

  • a tubular expander aligned with said variable size passage and being insertable in said seal member to move said seal member from said closed position to said open position such that instruments of various cross sectional sizes can be introduced through said tubular expander and said seal member to extend through said variable size passage, said tubular expander being withdrawable from said seal member such that instruments of various cross sectional sizes introduced through said tubular expander and said seal member remain in said variable size passage to extend therethrougha mass of compressible material disposed externally around said seal member with said variable size passage extending longitudinally within said mass of compressible material anda housing confining said mass of compressible material therein such that said mass of compressible material is compressed within said housing when said tubular expander is inserted in said seal member and when instruments of various cross sectional sizes extend through said variable size passage after said tubular expander is withdrawn from said seal member, said mass of compressible material exerting a compressive force on said seal member such that said seal member sealingly engages instruments of various cross sectional sizes in said variable size passage to form a seal therewith.

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