Patent ID: 6569120
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
A seal assembly which comprises:(a) a frame; (b) at least one sealing gasket assembly constructed of a flexible material and mounted to said frame, the sealing gasket assembly including: (i) a first sealing element defining a first semi-circular opening and having a first wall, and (ii) a second sealing element defining a second semi-circular opening and having a second wall; and (c) at least one retainer element defining a substantially central aperture, said retainer element including a body portion and a plurality of adjacent movable portions joined to said body portion by hinge regions said adjacent movable portions being configured and dimensioned to inhibit contact between an instrument and said at least one sealing gasket assembly upon insertion of the instrument through the sealing gasket assembly, wherein said adjacent movable portions are each defined by a pair of slits extending radially at least partially between said adjacent movable portions from said substantially central aperture; wherein mounting of the at least one sealing gasket assembly onto the frame tensions the first and second walls so that they overlap to define overlapping walls and form a substantial gas and fluid tight seal in the absence of the instrument inserted through the semi-circular openings; and further wherein the overlapping walls are separable so, as to allow passage of the instrument through the semi-circular openings.