Importance

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Abstract

A laparoscopic cannula gasket apparatus for sealing around an instrument within a cannula includes a first member having an internal passageway, an elastic sleeve member within the passageway, a structure for securing a first segment of the sleeve member to the passageway, a second member rotatably connected to the first member, a structure for securing a second segment of the sleeve member to the second member, the first and second segments of the sleeve member being spaced apart so that a portion of the sleeve member extends between the first and second segments, such that rotating the second member relative to the first member stretches the portion of the sleeve member between the first and second segments to progressively form an annular diaphragm extending radially inward from the passageway to make sealing contact with the instrument. The first member is preferably a cylinder attached to an end of a cannula by a flattened out end portion so that the passageway is essentially coaxial and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The elastic sleeve member is preferably a latex material. The structure for securing the first segment of the sleeve member preferably includes a recess in the passageway and an annular member fit within the recess, between which the first segment is compressed. The structure for securing the second segment preferably includes a port in the second member having a port edge and an annular member fit against the port edge, between which the second segment is compressed.

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First Claim