Patent ID: 6471714
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for maintaining manuary access to a sufflated body cavity through a fenestration during a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprising:(a) a seal section including an endless loop portion defining a first opening, said loop portion having formed thereon an engagement surface for engaging in substantially flush manner an inner wall surface of the sufflated body cavity adjacent the fenestration; and, (b) a sheath section formed of a substantially gas impermeable material, said sheath section including: (1) a mouth portion coupled to said loop portion of said seal section, said mouth portion defining a second opening aligned in open communication with said first opening; (2) a glove portion for receiving therein a hand of a user; and, (3) a pliable intermediate portion extending between said mouth and glove portions to maintain therebetween a substantially gas impermeable barrier for defining a gas capturing pocket when said glove portion is passed through said first and second openings into the body cavity responsive to manuary actuation, said gas capturing pocket receiving sufflation gas migrating from the body cavity to distend adaptively about said glove portion; whereby the sufflation of the body cavity is substantially preserved during the minimally invasive procedure.