Apparatus and method for moving sealing members of a medical apparatus between a first orientation and a second orientation

Claim 2

A medical apparatus positionable within an opening in a wall of a body cavity, comprising: a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, (2) said trocar is positionable between a first trocar position and a second trocar position, (3) said trocar is positioned within said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said first trocar position, and (4) said trocar is completely removed from said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said second trocar position; a sleeve having a passageway extending therethrough, and a number of sealing members extending therefrom, wherein (1) said cannula is positionable between a first cannula position and a second cannula position, (2) said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said first cannula position, and (3) said cannula is completely removed from said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said second cannula position; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said sealing members are movable between a first orientation and a second orientation when said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve, wherein said sealing members are positioned in said first orientation during creation of said opening in said body wall, and wherein said sealing members are in contact with an interior surface of said wall of said body cavity when said sealing members are positioned in said second orientation.

Claim 3

The medical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a vacuum source or an air supply in fluid communication with said port of said actuator.

Claim 4

The medical apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said sealing members are positioned in said first orientation when said sealing members are positioned in a substantially parallel relationship with said passageway, said sealing members are positioned in said second orientation when said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway, said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, and said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber.

Claim 5

The medical apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a channel defined in said sleeve, wherein: said channel is in fluid communication with said chamber of said actuator and said vacuum source or said air supply.

Claim 6

A medical apparatus, comprising: a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, (2) said trocar is positionable between a first trocar position and a second trocar position, (3) said trocar is positioned within said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said first trocar position, and (4) said trocar is completely removed from said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said second trocar position; a sleeve having a passageway extending therethrough, and a number of sealing members extending therefrom, wherein (1) said cannula is positionable between a first cannula position and a second cannula position, (2) said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said first cannula position, and (3) said cannula is completely removed from said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said second cannula position; an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber; a vacuum source or an air supply in fluid communication with said port of said actuator, wherein said sealing members are movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned in a substantially parallel relationship with said passageway, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway, wherein said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber, and wherein said number of sealing members include a first sealing member and a second sealing member, further comprising a web connected between said first sealing member and said second sealing member.

Claim 7

A medical apparatus, comprising: a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, (2) said trocar is positionable between a first trocar position and a second trocar position, (3) said trocar is positioned within said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said first trocar position, and (4) said trocar is completely removed from said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said second trocar position; a sleeve having a passageway extending therethrough, and a number of sealing members extending therefrom, wherein (1) said cannula is positionable between a first cannula position and a second cannula position, (2) said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said first cannula position, and (3) said cannula is completely removed from said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said second cannula position; an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber; a vacuum source or an air supply in fluid communication with said port of said actuator, wherein said sealing members are movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned in a substantially parallel relationship with said passageway, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway, wherein said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber, and wherein said number of sealing members include a first sealing member and a second sealing member, further comprising a web connected between said first sealing member and said second sealing member.

Claim 8

A medical apparatus, comprising: a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, (2) said trocar is positionable between a first trocar position and a second trocar position, (3) said trocar is positioned within said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said first trocar position, and (4) said trocar is completely removed from said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said second trocar position; a sleeve having a passageway extending therethrough, and a number of sealing members extending therefrom, wherein (1) said cannula is positionable between a first cannula position and a second cannula position, (2) said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said first cannula position, and (3) said cannula is completely removed from said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said second cannula position; an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber; a vacuum source or an air supply in fluid communication with said port of said actuator; and a channel defined in said sleeve, wherein said sealing members are movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned in a substantially parallel relationship with said passageway, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway, wherein said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber, wherein said channel is in fluid communication with said chamber of said actuator and said vacuum source or said air supply, wherein said actuator includes (1) a first wall segment attached to said sleeve, (2) a second wall segment attached to said sealing members, and (3) a flexible cover attached to said first wall segment and said second wall segment, and wherein said second wall segment is movable relative to said first wall segment.

Claim 9

A medical apparatus, comprising: a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, (2) said trocar is positionable between a first trocar position and a second trocar position, (3) said trocar is positioned within said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said first trocar position, and (4) said trocar is completely removed from said lumen of said cannula when said trocar is positioned at said second trocar position; a sleeve having a passageway extending therethrough, and a number of sealing members extending therefrom, wherein (1) said cannula is positionable between a first cannula position and a second cannula position, (2) said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said first cannula position, and (3) said cannula is completely removed from said passageway of said sleeve when said cannula is positioned at said second cannula position; an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber; a vacuum source or an air supply in fluid communication with said port of said actuator; and a channel defined in said sleeve, wherein said sealing members are movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned in a substantially parallel relationship with said passageway, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway, wherein said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber, wherein said channel is in fluid communication with said chamber of said actuator and said vacuum source or said air supply, wherein said actuator includes (1) a first wall segment attached to said sleeve, (2) a second wall segment attached to said sealing members, and (3) a flexible cover attached to said first wall segment and said second wall segment, and wherein said second wall segment is movable relative to said first wall segment.

Claim 10

The medical apparatus of claim 6, wherein evacuation of air from said chamber causes said second wall segment to move toward said first wall segment.

Claim 11

A medical apparatus comprising: a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, said sealing members being movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to facilitate advancement of said sleeve into an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to prevent fluid communication between an area inside of the body cavity and an area outside of the body cavity through a space defined between the opening in the wall of the body cavity and said sleeve; a trocar assembly positionable within said passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (2) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (3) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said sealing members are movable between said first orientation and said second orientation when said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve, wherein said sealing members are positioned in said first orientation during creation of said opening in said body wall, and wherein said sealing members are in contact with an interior surface of said wall of said body cavity when said sealing members are positioned in said second orientation.

Claim 12

A medical apparatus comprising: a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, said sealing members being movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to facilitate advancement of said sleeve into an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to prevent fluid communication between an area inside of the body cavity and an area outside of the body cavity through a space defined between the opening in the wall of the body cavity and said sleeve; a trocar assembly positionable within said passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (2) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (3) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said sealing members are movable between said first orientation and said second orientation when said cannula is positioned within said passageway of said sleeve, wherein said sealing members are positioned in said first orientation during creation of said opening in said body wall, and wherein said sealing members are in contact with an interior surface of said wall of said body cavity when said sealing members are positioned in said second orientation.

Claim 13

The medical apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a vacuum source or an air supply in fluid communication with said port of said actuator.

Claim 14

The medical apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a channel defined in said sleeve, wherein: said channel is in fluid communication with said chamber of said actuator and said vacuum source or said air supply.

Claim 15

The medical apparatus of claim 8, wherein: said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, and said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber.

Claim 16

A medical apparatus, comprising: a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, said sealing members being movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to facilitate advancement of said sleeve into an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to prevent fluid communication between an area inside of the body cavity and an area outside of the body cavity through a space defined between the opening in the wall of the body cavity and said sleeve; a trocar assembly positionable within said passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (2) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (3) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said number of sealing members include a first sealing member and a second sealing member, further comprising a web member connected between said first sealing member and said second sealing member.

Claim 17

A medical apparatus, comprising: a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, said sealing members being movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to facilitate advancement of said sleeve into an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to prevent fluid communication between an area inside of the body cavity and an area outside of the body cavity through a space defined between the opening in the wall of the body cavity and said sleeve; a trocar assembly positionable within said passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (2) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (3) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said number of sealing members include a first sealing member and a second sealing member, further comprising a web member connected between said first sealing member and said second sealing member.

Claim 18

A medical apparatus, comprising: a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, said sealing members being movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to facilitate advancement of said sleeve into an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to prevent fluid communication between an area inside of the body cavity and an area outside of the body cavity through a space defined between the opening in the wall of the body cavity and said sleeve; a trocar assembly positionable within said passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (2) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (3) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber, wherein said actuator includes (1) a first wall segment attached to said sleeve, (2) a second wall segment attached to said sealing members, and (3) a flexible cover attached to said first wall segment and said second wall segment, and wherein said second wall segment is movable relative to said first wall segment.

Claim 19

A medical apparatus, comprising: a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, said sealing members being movable between (1) a first orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to facilitate advancement of said sleeve into an opening defined in a wall of a body cavity, and (2) a second orientation in which said sealing members are positioned to prevent fluid communication between an area inside of the body cavity and an area outside of the body cavity through a space defined between the opening in the wall of the body cavity and said sleeve; a trocar assembly positionable within said passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (2) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (3) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula; and an actuator secured to said sealing members and having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said first orientation in response to fluid being advanced into said chamber, wherein said sealing members are moved to said second orientation in response to fluid being evacuated from said chamber, wherein said actuator includes (1) a first wall segment attached to said sleeve, (2) a second wall segment attached to said sealing members, and (3) a flexible cover attached to said first wall segment and said second wall segment, and wherein said second wall segment is movable relative to said first wall segment.

Claim 20

The medical apparatus of claim 13, wherein evacuation of air from said chamber causes said second wall segment and said first wall segment to move relative to each other.

Claim 21

A medical procedure, comprising the steps of: creating an opening in a wall of a body cavity; advancing a medical apparatus through the opening and into the body cavity, said medical apparatus including (1) a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, (2) a trocar assembly positioned within the passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (a) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (b) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (c) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula, and (3) an actuator having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber; evacuating fluid from said chamber of said actuator so that said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway; and positioning said sealing members to contact an interior surface of said body cavity after said fluid evacuation step.

Claim 22

A medical procedure, comprising the steps of: creating an opening in a wall of a body cavity; advancing a medical apparatus through the opening and into the body cavity, said medical apparatus including (1) a sleeve having a number of sealing members connected thereto and a passageway extending therethrough, (2) a trocar assembly positioned within the passageway of said sleeve, said trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (a) said cannula is completely removable from said passageway of said sleeve, (b) said cannula has a lumen defined therein, and (c) said trocar is completely removable from said lumen of said cannula, and (3) an actuator having a chamber defined therein, said actuator further defining a port through which fluid may be advanced into or withdrawn from said chamber; evacuating fluid from said chamber of said actuator so that said sealing members are positioned substantially perpendicular to said passageway; and positioning said sealing members to contact an interior surface of said body cavity after said fluid evacuation step.

Claim 23

The medical procedure of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: advancing fluid into said chamber of said actuator so that said sealing members are positioned substantially parallel to said passageway; and removing said medical apparatus from the opening in the wall of the body cavity.

Claim 24

The medical procedure of claim 15, wherein said advancing step includes the step of simultaneously advancing said sleeve and said trocar assembly through the opening and into the body cavity.

Claim 25

The medical procedure of claim 15, wherein said advancing step includes the step of introducing fluid into said chamber of said actuator so that said sealing members are positioned substantially parallel to said passageway whereby advancement of the sleeve through the opening and into the body cavity is facilitated.

Claim 26

The medical procedure of claim 15, wherein: said number of sealing members include a first sealing member and a second sealing member; and a web is connected between said first sealing member and said second sealing member.

Claim 27

The medical apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a channel defined in said sleeve, wherein: said channel is in fluid communication with said chamber of said actuator and a vacuum source or an air supply.