The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 03, 1998
Filed:
Jan. 10, 1994
Roger L Hildwein, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Robert C Uschold, Cincinnati, OH (US);
J D Staley, Jr, Loveland, OH (US);
Paul Riestenberg, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Laura Gallagher, Maineville, OH (US);
Rex Nagao, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ (US);
Abstract
A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.