Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with deflection feature
First Claim
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 constructed in the shape of a cylindrical section, the seal includes an upper section and a lower section with a central section therebetween, the upper section of the seal is coupled to the upper seal ring and the lower section of the seal is coupled to the lower seal ring, the seal being 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; and
wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener and the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end rigidly secured to one of the lower seal ring or the upper seal ring and a second end rigidly secured to one of the lower seal ring or the upper seal ring.
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Accused Products
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.
56 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures, comprising:
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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 constructed in the shape of a cylindrical section, the seal includes an upper section and a lower section with a central section therebetween, the upper section of the seal is coupled to the upper seal ring and the lower section of the seal is coupled to the lower seal ring, the seal being 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; and wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener and the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end rigidly secured to one of the lower seal ring or the upper seal ring and a second end rigidly secured to one of the lower seal ring or the upper seal ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures, comprising:
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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 constructed in the shape of a cylindrical section, the seal includes an upper section and a lower section with a central section therebetween, the upper section of the seal is coupled to the upper seal ring and the lower section of the seal is coupled to the lower seal ring, the seal being 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; and wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener and the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end and a second end and 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;
wherein only the first end of the spring fastener is rigidly secured to the lower seal ring. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures, comprising:
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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; and wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener and the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end and a second end and 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; wherein the series of gear teeth is secured to the upper seal ring and the deflection feature is secured to the lower seal ring, the upper seal ring including 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, and wherein the first end and the second end of the spring fastener are rigidly secured to the lower seal ring.
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13. A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures, comprising:
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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; the seal is constructed in the shape of a cylindrical section, the seal includes an upper section and a lower section with a central section therebetween, the upper section of the seal is coupled to the upper seal ring and the lower section of the seal is coupled to the lower seal ring; and a ratchet mechanism controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring wherein 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;
wherein the deflection feature is a spring fastener and the spring fastener is a flat spring having a first end rigidly secured to one of the lower seal ring or the upper seal ring and a second end rigidly secure dot one of the lower seal ring or the upper seal ring. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification