Patent USRE36702E successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
USRE36702E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal assembly for accommodating introduction of surgical instruments
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1999-03-30
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Granted: 2000-05-16
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Expires: 2019-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A seal assembly is provided which includes a gimbal-like structure permitting rotation of a mounting member relative to the housing. The rotation of the mounting member allows the seal member to align with an instrument being inserted therethrough. The seal assembly is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly for use in endoscopic surgery.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. Green
- 👤 Salvatore Castro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3462; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/02; A61M39/06; A61B2017/3464; A61M2039/0626; A61M2039/0686
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A seal assembly which comprises: (i) a housing having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, (ii) a mounting member rotatably mounted within said housing, and (iii) a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; wherein rotation of said mounting member relative to said housing angularly displaces said aperture of said seal member relative to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A seal assembly which comprises: (i) a housing having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, (ii) a mounting member rotatably mounted within said housing, and (iii) a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; wherein rotation of said mounting member relative to said housing angularly displaces said aperture of said seal member relative to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide wall at least partially disposed within said housing, adjacent said seal member, wherein said guide wall aids in guiding said surgical instrument through said seal member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a limiting ring disposed within said housing for limiting the rotation of said mounting member with respect to said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting member includes a convex, arcuate outer face in sliding contact with an internal concave ring-like track disposed within said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one seal protect or disposed within said housing and positioned adjacent said seal member for preventing direct contact of a leading edge of said surgical instrument with said seal member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing defines a longitudinal axis and said mounting member is adapted to rotate up to about 25 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing further includes a bellows structure extending from said mounting member, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal within said housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing is adapted to be detachably mounted at one end to a cannula assembly for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal when said instrument is inserted into said seal assembly and through said cannula assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal member is adapted to accommodate instruments ranging in diameter from 4 to 15 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal member is conical and is fabricated from a resilient material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
In combination: (a) a cannula assembly which includes a cannula housing mounted at one end to a cannula, said cannula housing including a valve assembly disposed at least partially within said housing, said valve assembly being adapted to provide a fluid-tight seal; and (b) a seal assembly removably mounted with respect to said cannula assembly, said seal assembly including a seal assembly housing including mounting means for mounting to said cannula housing and having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, a mounting member rotatably mounted within said seal assembly housing, and a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; wherein rotation of said mounting member relative to said seal assembly housing angularly displaces said aperture of said seal member with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
156 words
In combination: (a) a cannula assembly which includes a cannula housing mounted at one end to a cannula, said cannula housing including a valve assembly disposed at least partially within said housing, said valve assembly being adapted to provide a fluid-tight seal; and (b) a seal assembly removably mounted with respect to said cannula assembly, said seal assembly including a seal assembly housing including mounting means for mounting to said cannula housing and having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, a mounting member rotatably mounted within said seal assembly housing, and a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; wherein rotation of said mounting member relative to said seal assembly housing angularly displaces said aperture of said seal member with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said seal assembly is detachably mounted to said cannula assembly. .Iadd.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
A seal assembly which comprises: (i) a housing having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends; (ii) a mounting member movably mounted within said housing; (iii) a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; and (iv) a bellows structure extending from said mounting member and secured to said housing, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal between said mounting member and said housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said housing; wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said housing displaces said aperture of said seal member relative to said longitudinal axis..Iaddend..Iadd.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
A seal assembly which comprises: (i) a housing having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends; (ii) a mounting member movably mounted within said housing; (iii) a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; and (iv) a bellows structure extending from said mounting member and secured to said housing, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal between said mounting member and said housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said housing; wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said housing displaces said aperture of said seal member relative to said longitudinal axis..Iaddend..Iadd.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
A seal assembly according to claim 13, wherein said mounting member is rotatably mounted within said housing..Iaddend..Iadd.15. A seal assembly according to claim 13, wherein said bellows structure defines a first side and a second side which is opposite to said first side, and wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said housing causes said first side of said bellows structure to stretch and said opposite side of said bellows structure to compress..Iaddend..Iadd.16. A seal assembly according to claim 13, wherein said bellows structure is fabricated from a
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
217 words
resilient material..Iaddend..Iadd.17. A seal assembly according to claim 16, wherein said resilient material is polyisoprene..Iaddend..Iadd.18. In combination: (a) a cannula assembly which includes a cannula housing mounted at one end to a cannula, said cannula housing including a valve assembly disposed at least partially within said housing, said valve assembly being adapted to provide a fluid-tight seal; (b) a seal assembly removably mounted with respect to said cannula assembly, said seal assembly including a seal assembly housing including mounting means for mounting to said cannula housing and having a passage defining a longitudinal axis and disposed between at least two open ends, a mounting member movably mounted within said seal assembly housing, and a seal member at least partially disposed within said passage and mounted to said mounting member, said seal member having an aperture formed therein through which a surgical instrument may pass; and (c) a bellows structure extending from said mounting member and secured to said seal assembly housing, said bellows structure ensuring a substantially fluid-tight seal between said mounting member and said seal assembly housing, regardless of the relative position of said mounting member with respect to said seal assembly housing; wherein movement of said mounting member relative to said seal assembly housing displaces said aperture of said seal member with respect to the
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
longitudinal axis..Iaddend..Iadd.19. A combination according to claim 18, wherein said mounting member is rotatably mounted within said housing..Iaddend.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |