Patent ID: 6168607
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A single use non re-sterilizable device for guiding one or more surgical tools into a body cavity, said device comprising: (a) a tubular body portion, said tubular body portion having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said tubular body portion is constructed and arranged for insertion into a body cavity and said second end of said tubular body portion is formed into a sleeve, said sleeve having a first outside surface; (b) sealing means constructed and arranged to mount within said sleeve; and(c) a funnel having a guiding portion, a connecting portion and a central portion between the guiding portion and the connecting portion, wherein said connecting portion is attached to said sleeve opposite said tubular body portion with said sealing means located between said cental portion and said tubular body portion, said central portion has an opening which is substantially coaxial with the tubular body portion and allows access to the sealing means through the central portion when using the surgical tools, said guiding portion has a third end opposite said central portion, wherein said third end has an inside cross-sectional dimension perpendicular to the axis of the tubular body portion greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the first outside surface, and said guiding portion also has an interior surface conducive for guiding the surgical instruments to the opening in said central portion, when such surgical instruments are placed within the guiding portion for the purpose of insertion through said tubular body portion into the body cavity; said tubular body portion and/or said sealing means being fabricated from a synthetic material that will be destroyed and rendered unusable by immersion into a sterilizing bath or autoclaving.