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:
Aug. 23, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2007
Andrew T. Beckman, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Mark J. Reese, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Michael D. Cronin, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Andrew T. Beckman, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Mark J. Reese, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Michael D. Cronin, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion. The seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A ratchet mechanism is provided for controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth, wherein the series of gear teeth are oriented to engage the deflection feature.