摘要 |
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in internal surgical procedures, more particularly, an apparatus for use in laparoscopic surgical procedures providing a simple and cost effective sealing mechanism within a cannula which readily accepts the repeated insertion and removal of surgical instruments through the seal without permitting escape of gasses through the seal. In one particular embodiment, the apparatus consists of a rigid tube having an inner surface defining a hollow channel and a flexible sleeve located within the hollow channel forming an inner channel within the hollow channel where the flexible sleeve is sufficiently elastic to close the inner channel in response to pressurization between the outside of the flexible sleeve and the inner surface of the hollow channel. The flexible sleeve is also constructed and arranged to permit an external instrument to pass through the inner channel of the sleeve while maintaining the air channel closed due to the pressurization between the sleeve and the inner surface of a hollow channel.
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