Surgical access device and manufacture thereof

• US 8,708,898 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2011
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Moreno, Miguel, Gresham, Richard D., Wenchell, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): MCEVOY, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/008,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20110174425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 606/108, 606/185, 606/191, 606/194, 606/198, 604/164.01, 604/164.04, 604/164.07, 604/164.11, 604/264, 604/338, 604/540, 604/543, 600/184, 600/201, 600/186, 600/203
• US Class Current: 600/184
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3431 being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material A61B17/3423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3439 with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662
• 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/347 Locking means, e.g. for locking instrument in cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/349 Trocar with thread on outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40

Abstract

A surgical access system includes a tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial lumen. The tubular member includes a braided material adapted to expand from a first initial condition having a first cross-sectional dimension to a second expanded condition having a second-cross sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tubular member defines an oblique end surface. An access housing is mounted to the tubular member. The access housing is dimensioned for engagement by the user. A process for manufacturing a surgical access device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A process for manufacturing a surgical access device, comprising:

providing a tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and having an axial lumen, the tubular member adapted to expand from a first initial condition having a first cross-sectional dimension to a second expanded condition having a second-cross sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension;

creating a flared end portion of the tubular member;

mounting a mounting element to the flared end portion of the tubular member by positioning the mounting element onto a mandrel, advancing the tubular member onto the mandrel, and folding the flared end portion of the tubular member over the mounting element such that the flared end portion engages the mounting element; and

securing the mounting element to a housing by positioning the mounting element between a hub and a base of the housing such that the tubular member is captured between more than two surfaces of the housing.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein providing a tubular member includes positioning an elastomer layer over a tubular braid.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein providing the tubular member further includes heating the elastomer layer and the tubular braid.

4. The process according to claim 3, wherein providing the tubular member further includes applying a vacuum to the elastomer layer and tubular braid so as to press the heated elastomer layer into the tubular braid.

5. The process according to claim 3, wherein providing the tubular member further includes allowing the pressed elastomer layer and tubular braid a period of time to cool.

6. The process according to claim 1 wherein securing the mounting element includes attaching a cover between the hub and the base.

7. The process according to claim 1 including mounting a seal element adjacent the hub, the seal element having an aperture for receiving a surgical object and forming a substantial sealed relation therewith.

8. The process according to claim 7 further including securing a cover to one of the base and the hub to secure the seal element in the housing.

9. The process according to claim 8 wherein securing the cover includes mounting the cover to the base.

10. The process according to claim 1 including positioning a flexible sheathing about the tubular member.

11. The process according to claim 10 including securing the flexible sheathing to the tubular member.

12. The process according to claim 1 further comprising forming an oblique end surface relative to the longitudinal axis on the tubular member.