Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12342992-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
In at least some aspects, an instrument port for introducing an instrument into a surgical site comprises: a port body having: an instrument channel extending through the port body; and a plurality of fluid flush channels each separate from one another and the instrument channel, each extending along a major portion of the port body and in fluid communication with the instrument channel; and a bulb comprising a bulb channel extending through the bulb, the bulb channel aligned with the instrument channel, wherein the bulb channel and instrument channel are configured to receive the instrument.
Core Innovation
An instrument port is provided for introducing an instrument into a surgical site. The port includes a port body with an instrument channel extending through the port body, and first and second fluid flush channels that are separate from one another and spaced laterally apart from the instrument channel. Each fluid flush channel extends along a major portion of the port body and is in fluidic communication with the instrument channel, and the first portions of the flush channels extend parallel to the instrument channel and alongside it.
The port further includes a bulb with a bulb channel extending through the bulb, wherein the bulb channel is aligned with the instrument channel so that the bulb channel and instrument channel are configured to receive the instrument. The port is connectable to a source of partial vacuum and includes a valve in fluid communication between the port and either or both of the first and second fluid flush channels or between the port and the instrument. The outer boundaries of the first portions of the flush channels define entirely separate interior volumes from one another and from an interior volume defined by an outer boundary of the instrument channel.
In specified implementations, a channel assembly having a plurality of sections assembled in a linear array is provided, and the plurality of sections includes in order in a distal direction a port section, a channel gasket, a channel and side port section, another channel gasket, and an elongated channel section that collectively define at least a portion of the instrument channel and the first and second fluid flush channels. Fluidic connections between the first and second fluid flush channels and the instrument channel are located proximal with respect to the bulb, and gasket and manifold configurations are also described.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover an instrument port architecture combining a port body with an instrument channel, separate laterally spaced first and second fluid flush channels, and a distal bulb aligned to the instrument channel. Across the independent claims, the coverage includes separate channel volumes, valve and partial-vacuum connectivity, and multi-section linear-array channel, gasket, and manifold structures positioned relative to the bulb.
Instrument port with separate laterally spaced fluid flush channels and aligned bulb channel
An instrument port comprising a port body with an instrument channel extending through the port body and first and second fluid flush channels each separate from one another and spaced laterally apart from the instrument channel, each extending along a major portion of the port body and in fluidic communication with the instrument channel; a bulb comprising a bulb channel extending through the bulb aligned with the instrument channel and configured to receive the instrument; and the outer boundaries of the first portions of the flush channels defining entirely separate interior volumes from one another and from an interior volume defined by an outer boundary of the instrument channel.
Partial vacuum connectivity and valve fluid communication between port and flush channels or instrument
The instrument port further comprising a port connectable to a source of partial vacuum and a valve in fluid communication between the port and either or both of the first and second fluid flush channels or between the port and the instrument.
Linear-array multi-section channel assembly defining instrument and flush channels
An instrument port including a channel assembly having a plurality of sections assembled in a linear array, wherein the plurality of sections includes, in order in a distal direction, a port section, a first channel gasket, a channel and side port section, a second channel gasket and an elongated channel section that collectively define at least a portion of the instrument channel and the first and second fluid flush channels.
Proximal fluidic connections between flush channels and instrument channel relative to distal bulb
An instrument port wherein fluidic connections between the first and second fluid flush channels and the instrument channel are located proximal with respect to the bulb.
Gasket and manifold defining instrument and separate flush coupling holes
An instrument port comprising a gasket that defines a first instrument channel hole and first and second fluid flush channel holes aligned with the instrument channel and the first and second fluid flush channels, and a manifold body disposed between the gasket and the bulb that defines a second instrument channel hole aligned with the instrument channel and the first instrument channel hole; and first and second manifold channels defined in the manifold body that fluidly couple the first and second fluid flush channel holes, respectively, to the second instrument channel hole.
Imaging system channel and optically transparent bulb for illumination wavelength
An instrument port including an imaging system channel separate from the instrument channel, with a camera and an illumination source that generates light at a first wavelength such that the bulb is at least partially optically transparent to that wavelength.
Overall, the independent claims are directed to an instrument port where a distal bulb aligned with an instrument channel receives an instrument, while first and second fluid flush channels remain separate and laterally spaced with defined interior volume boundaries, and where partial vacuum and a valve provide selectable fluid communication. Additional independent-claim coverage specifies multi-section linear-array channel assembly and particular gasket and manifold hole-and-channel coupling structures, as well as an imaging system channel and optically transparent bulb constraint for a defined illumination wavelength.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?