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
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.