Patent ID: 7390316

Claim:
A seal positioning assembly for use with a trocar structured to open and close a seal structure having two opposing converging flaps, said seal structure defining an interior portion disposed between said opposing converging flaps, said seal positioning assembly comprising: a) a positioning device including base defining a central channel and an expander structure extending from said base, said positioning device disposed in communicating relation with the seal structure, said expander structure disposed within the interior portion of the seal structure, b) said expander structure disposable into a seal open orientation to open said seal structure by separation of said flaps and a seal closed orientation by rotational movement between said expander structure and the seal structure about a longitudinal axis of said channel, and c) said seal open orientation being at least partially defined by forced engagement of said expander structure with predetermined portions of the seal structure, wherein said seal structure is opened by rotation of said expander structure within said interior portion of said seal structure such that the expander structure forcibly engages interior surface portions of said opposing converging flaps.