Patent ID: 8932275
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A surgical seal assembly, which comprises: a seal housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, the seal housing defining proximal and distal ends; a seal having an inner seal portion defining a passage and being adapted to form a seal about a surgical instrument disposed within the passage; and a guide mounted adjacent an internal tapered wall of the seal housing and longitudinally fixed relative to the seal, at least a portion of the guide is longitudinally aligned with and disposed radially inward of the internal tapered wall of the seal housing, the guide having an inner guide portion proximal of the inner seal portion of the seal and spaced therefrom, the inner guide portion positioned and arranged to not contact the inner seal portion during insertion of the surgical instrument through the passage of the seal, the inner guide portion defining a channel adapted to direct the surgical instrument toward the inner seal portion of the seal upon entry of the surgical instrument within the longitudinal opening of the seal housing, the inner guide portion being compliant to accommodate initial offset or angled entry of the surgical instrument, the inner guide portion of the guide being dimensioned and adapted to permit passage of the surgical instrument through the channel without forming a seal about the surgical instrument.