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:
Apr. 20, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 18, 1997
Robert C Smith, Danbury, CT (US);
Peter W Hinchliffe, New Haven, CT (US);
James Correia, Shelton, CT (US);
Martin J Nohilly, Trumbull, CT (US);
Kurt Azarbarzin, Ridgefield, CT (US);
Richard D Gresham, Monroe, CT (US);
United States Surgical Corporation, Norwalk, CT (US);
Abstract
Valve assembly for sealed reception of an elongated object includes a valve body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis, an elongated seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body whereby the aperture is configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the object into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently engage the outer surface of the object in a substantially fluid flight manner, and at least one elongated guard member disposed within the seal member in supporting contact with the inner surface thereof. The guard member is positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body. The guard member includes at least a first substantially rigid portion adapted to be displaced relative to the longitudinal axis to facilitate expansion of the aperture of the seal member upon entry of the object therein and a second portion having less rigidity than the first portion of the guard member to enhance passage of the elongated object through the valve body.