US 6,981,966 B2 | ||
Valve assembly for introducing instruments into body cavities | ||
David T. Green, Westport, Conn. (US); Henry Bolanos, East Norwalk, Conn. (US); Salvatore Castro, Seymour, Conn. (US); Henry Sienkiewicz, Stamford, Conn. (US); Stephan A. DeFonzo, Bridgeport, Conn. (US); Douglas J. Cuny, Bethel, Conn. (US); and Wayne P. Young, Brewster, N.Y. (US) | ||
Assigned to United States Surgical, Norwalk, Conn. (US) | ||
Filed on May 23, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/444,378. | ||
Application 10/444378 is a continuation of application No. 08/814757, filed on Mar. 07, 1997, granted, now 6,569,120. | ||
Application 08/814757 is a continuation in part of application No. 07/873416, filed on Apr. 24, 1992, abandoned. | ||
Application 07/873416 is a continuation in part of application No. 07/781063, filed on Oct. 18, 1991, granted, now 5,203,773. | ||
Prior Publication US 2003/0195472 A1, Oct. 16, 2003 | ||
Int. Cl. A61M 5/178 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 604—167.02 | 30 Claims |
1. A valve assembly for maintaining a substantial fluid tight seal between an internal portion of a patient's body and an
outside atmosphere during introduction of a surgical instrument into the patient's body which comprises:
sealing structure including at least one sealing gasket assembly having first and second overlapping elements each defining
an opening arranged so that, said elements form a substantial gas and fluid tight seal prior to inserting an instrument therethrough,
said elements being further constructed of a flexible material to allow passage of said instrument through said openings and
provide substantial sealing about said instrument; and
means for tensioning said first and second overlapping elements of said sealing gasket such that said overlapping elements
are biased in a closed position providing a gas and fluid tight seal prior to instrument insertion therethrough.
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