US5308336A — Seal protection mechanism

Claim 1

Independent Claim 173 words

An access device having an axis extending between a proximal end and an opening distal end, and properties for facilitating introduction into the body of an instrument having a pointed distal tip, the device comprising: a housing having walls defining a channel extending through the device; a valve disposed in the housing across the channel and adapted to form a seal around the instrument when the instrument is inserted into the channel; the valve including inner portions defining an aperture to receive the instrument and outer portions extending radially outwardly of the inner portions; means having a continuous, generally conical inner surface engageable by the instrument, and positioned between the instrument and at least the outer portion of the valve for isolating the valve from the pointed distal tip during insertion of the instrument; the valve being formed of an elastomeric material; and the isolating means being formed of a material having compliance less than that of the elastomeric material forming the valve in order to distribute the insertion forces along the valve.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 173 words

An access device having an axis extending between a proximal end and an opening distal end, and properties for facilitating introduction into the body of an instrument having a pointed distal tip, the device comprising: a housing having walls defining a channel extending through the device; a valve disposed in the housing across the channel and adapted to form a seal around the instrument when the instrument is inserted into the channel; the valve including inner portions defining an aperture to receive the instrument and outer portions extending radially outwardly of the inner portions; means having a continuous, generally conical inner surface engageable by the instrument, and positioned between the instrument and at least the outer portion of the valve for isolating the valve from the pointed distal tip during insertion of the instrument; the valve being formed of an elastomeric material; and the isolating means being formed of a material having compliance less than that of the elastomeric material forming the valve in order to distribute the insertion forces along the valve.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 66 words

The device recited in claim 1 wherein: the isolation means is movable with the instrument between a distal position wherein the isolation means extends between the instrument and at least the outer portion of the valve, and a proximal position removed from the distal position wherein the isolation means is displaced from the valve and the valve is free to form a seal around the instrument.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device recited in claim 2 wherein the isolation means in the distal position is disposed to extend through the aperture in the valve.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device recited in claim 1 wherein the isolation means includes a plurality of leaves overlapping to form an expandable funnel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device recited in claim 4 wherein the funnel is axially movable with the instrument from a proximal position to a distal position in proximity to the aperture in the valve.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 42 words

The access device recited in claim 1 wherein the isolating means includes: a supporting structure carried by the housing; a plurality of overlapping leaves defining a generally conical inner surface and pivotal on the supporting structure to accommodate instruments of different diameter.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

The access device recited in claim 6 wherein the support structure of the isolating means comprises a ring slidable on the housing between a proximal position and a distal position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The access device recited in claim 7 wherein the ring is slidable axially with the instrument between the proximal position and the distal position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 134 words

An access device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and properties for facilitating the introduction into the body of an instrument having a pointed distal tip, the device comprising: a housing having walls defining a channel through the device; a septum valve disposed in the housing across the channel and adapted to form a seal around the instrument when the instrument is inserted into the channel; inner portions of the valve defining an aperture to receive the instrument; outer portions of the valve extending radially outwardly of the inner portions; and means formed of a generally non-compliant material and disposed between the instrument and at least the outer portion of the valve for funneling the pointed distal tip of the instrument toward the aperture in the septum valve.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 134 words

An access device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and properties for facilitating the introduction into the body of an instrument having a pointed distal tip, the device comprising: a housing having walls defining a channel through the device; a septum valve disposed in the housing across the channel and adapted to form a seal around the instrument when the instrument is inserted into the channel; inner portions of the valve defining an aperture to receive the instrument; outer portions of the valve extending radially outwardly of the inner portions; and means formed of a generally non-compliant material and disposed between the instrument and at least the outer portion of the valve for funneling the pointed distal tip of the instrument toward the aperture in the septum valve.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device recited in claim 9 wherein the funneling means comprises: plurality of leaves forming a funnel having a relatively large proximal end and a relatively narrow distal end extending into proximity with the aperture in the septum valve.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device recited in claim 10 wherein the funnel comprises at least two opposing leaf pairs that are radially offset in overlapping relationship to form a continuous inner surface of the funnel.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 41 words

The device recited in claim 10 wherein the funnel is axially movable with the instrument from a proximal position to a distal position wherein the distal end of the funnel is disposed in proximity with the aperture in the septum valve.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device recited in claim 12 wherein the distal end of the funnel in the distal position extends through the aperture in the septum valve.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 52 words

The device recited in claim 9 wherein: the valve has a proximal face; the funneling means is movable between a proximal position and a distal position; and the funneling means in the distal position contacts the proximal face of the valve to distribute insertion forces across the proximal face of the valve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

The access device recited in claim 9 wherein the funneling means includes: a supporting structure carried by the housing; a plurality of overlapping leaves defining a generally conical inner surface and pivotal on the supporting structure to accommodate instruments of different diameter.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

The access device recited in claim 15 wherein the supporting structure of the isolating means comprises a ring slidable on the housing between a proximal position and a distal position.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The access device recited in claim 16 wherein the ring is slidable axially with the instrument between the proximal position and the distal position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 160 words

A trocar adapted to facilitate introduction into a body of an instrument having a pointed distal tip, the trocar having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and further comprising: a housing having walls defining a channel through the trocar; a septum valve disposed in the housing across the channel and adapted to form a seal around the instrument when the instrument is inserted into the channel; the valve including lip portions defining a hole to receive the instrument, and outer portions extending radially outwardly of the lip portions; means disposed proximally of the valve for prestressing the valve in response to insertion of the instrument into the trocar, the prestressing means enlarging the hole of the valve prior to introduction of the instrument through the valve; and means having an expandable inner surface for funneling the prestressed hole to avoid substantial contact between the valve and the instrument as the instrument passes through the hole.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 160 words

A trocar adapted to facilitate introduction into a body of an instrument having a pointed distal tip, the trocar having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end and further comprising: a housing having walls defining a channel through the trocar; a septum valve disposed in the housing across the channel and adapted to form a seal around the instrument when the instrument is inserted into the channel; the valve including lip portions defining a hole to receive the instrument, and outer portions extending radially outwardly of the lip portions; means disposed proximally of the valve for prestressing the valve in response to insertion of the instrument into the trocar, the prestressing means enlarging the hole of the valve prior to introduction of the instrument through the valve; and means having an expandable inner surface for funneling the prestressed hole to avoid substantial contact between the valve and the instrument as the instrument passes through the hole.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 56 words

The trocar recited in claim 18 wherein the funneling means includes a funnel having an enlarged proximal end and a narrow distal end, the funnel being movable axially between a proximal position and a distal position wherein the distal end of the funnel is disposed in proximity to the valve and concentric with the prestressed hole.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 20 words

The trocar recited in claim 19 wherein the funnel is disposed radially inwardly of the means for prestressing the valve.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 37 words

The trocar recited in claim 19 wherein the funnel comprises a plurality of overlapping leaves providing the inner surface with a generally conical configuration and the funnel is radially expandable to accommodate different diameters of the instrument.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 55 words

The trocar recited in claim 18 wherein the septum valve has a proximal face; the insertion of the instrument into the trocar creates insertion forces on the valve; and the funneling means is disposed in contact with the proximal face of the valve to distribute the insertion forces across the proximal face of the valve.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 118 words

A trocar assembly having a channel defined along an elongate axis and adapted to receive an instrument having a particular cross-sectional dimension and a sharp distal tip, the trocar assembly comprising: an elastomeric septum disposed in said channel and including portions defining an orifice having in a relaxed state a first cross-section area and in an expanded state a second cross-sectional area; means responsive to the particular dimension of the instrument for expanding said orifice to the second cross-sectional area; and means having a continuous, generally conical inner surface engagable by the instrument and positioned between the instrument and the septum for isolating the septum from the sharp distal tip of the instrument during insertion of the instrument.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 118 words

A trocar assembly having a channel defined along an elongate axis and adapted to receive an instrument having a particular cross-sectional dimension and a sharp distal tip, the trocar assembly comprising: an elastomeric septum disposed in said channel and including portions defining an orifice having in a relaxed state a first cross-section area and in an expanded state a second cross-sectional area; means responsive to the particular dimension of the instrument for expanding said orifice to the second cross-sectional area; and means having a continuous, generally conical inner surface engagable by the instrument and positioned between the instrument and the septum for isolating the septum from the sharp distal tip of the instrument during insertion of the instrument.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 140 words

A seal assembly adapted to receive an elongate object having a sharp distal tip, and to form a seal around the object, the assembly comprising: a housing including first portions defining a channel extending through the housing and second portions defining a peripheral recess in the housing; a septum extending across the channel of the housing; portions of the housing defining a hole adapted to receive the object with the septum portions forming a seal around the object; actuation means movable within the peripheral recess of the housing for enlarging a hole in response to insertion of the object into the channel; and means having a continuous, generally conical inner surface engagable by the object, and positioned between the instrument and the septum for isolating the septum from the sharp distal tip of the object during insertion of the instrument.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 140 words

A seal assembly adapted to receive an elongate object having a sharp distal tip, and to form a seal around the object, the assembly comprising: a housing including first portions defining a channel extending through the housing and second portions defining a peripheral recess in the housing; a septum extending across the channel of the housing; portions of the housing defining a hole adapted to receive the object with the septum portions forming a seal around the object; actuation means movable within the peripheral recess of the housing for enlarging a hole in response to insertion of the object into the channel; and means having a continuous, generally conical inner surface engagable by the object, and positioned between the instrument and the septum for isolating the septum from the sharp distal tip of the object during insertion of the instrument.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-05-02	1997-11-01	1998-05-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-05-02	2001-11-01	2002-05-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-05-02	2005-11-01	2006-05-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Seal protection mechanism

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