Fluid removal in a surgical access device
First Claim
1. A seal assembly for use in a surgical access device, comprising:
- a seal including a proximal flange having a sidewall extending distally therefrom, the seal being selectively movable between an open position when an instrument is disposed therethrough and a sealed closed position when no instrument is disposed therethrough; and
a fluid remover positioned distal to a distal end of the seal, the fluid remover comprisinga substantially planar scraper having an opening formed therethrough, the scraper being configured to remove fluid from a surgical instrument passed through the opening, and the opening being configured to allow air to pass therethrough when no instrument is disposed therein, anda sorbent element positioned distal of the scraper for sorbing fluid removed from a surgical instrument by the scraper.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.
377 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A seal assembly for use in a surgical access device, comprising:
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a seal including a proximal flange having a sidewall extending distally therefrom, the seal being selectively movable between an open position when an instrument is disposed therethrough and a sealed closed position when no instrument is disposed therethrough; and a fluid remover positioned distal to a distal end of the seal, the fluid remover comprising a substantially planar scraper having an opening formed therethrough, the scraper being configured to remove fluid from a surgical instrument passed through the opening, and the opening being configured to allow air to pass therethrough when no instrument is disposed therein, and a sorbent element positioned distal of the scraper for sorbing fluid removed from a surgical instrument by the scraper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for removing fluid from a surgical access device, comprising:
passing a surgical instrument through a seal in a working channel of a surgical access device extending into a body cavity, the seal moving from a sealed, closed position in which the working channel is sealed to an open position when the surgical instrument is passed therethrough, wherein a substantially planar scraper disposed distal of the seal and having an opening formed therethrough removes fluid from the surgical instrument to prevent fluid from being deposited on the seal, the opening being configured to allow air to pass therethrough when no instrument is disposed therein, and wherein a sorbent element disposed distal of the scraper sorbs fluid off of the scraper. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Specification