Surgical portal apparatus with armature assembly

Abstract

A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, an elongated portal member connected to the portal housing and an armature assembly. The portal housing and the portal member have an axial bore for reception and passage of a surgical object. The armature assembly includes at least two arms disposed within the portal housing and an outer mount. The at least two arms extend at least radially inwardly and are adapted to move relative to the longitudinal axis from a rest position to an activated position during passage of the surgical object. The at least two arms are operatively connected whereby movement of a first arm causes corresponding movement of a second arm. The outer mount comprises a resilient material and is mounted to the at least two arms, and imparts a biasing force thereto toward the rest position.

1 . A surgical portal apparatus, which comprises:
 a portal defining a central longitudinal axis and having an axial bore for reception and passage of a surgical object;   a generally elongated seal member mounted to the portal and defining an internal passage for reception and passage of the surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith; and   a plurality of arms mounted to the seal member, the arms each extending at least radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis, radial adjacent arms being interconnected such that the arms cause the seal member to transition from an initial condition corresponding to a first dimension of the internal passage to an actuated condition corresponding to a second dimension of the internal passage of the seal member during passage of the surgical object through the axial bore of the portal, the second dimension being greater than the first dimension.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the arms are dimensioned and adapted for pivotal movement between rest and activated positions corresponding to the initial and actuated conditions of the seal member. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the arms are dimensioned and adapted to pivot outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis to the activated position independent of the orientation of the surgical object. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 3  including a series of gears for operatively connecting adjacent arms. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the arms are at least partially embedded within the seal member. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the seal member is normally biased to the initial condition thereof, thereby normally imparting a biasing force to the arms toward the rest position thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the seal defines a general shape of a frustum. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical portal apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the arms are fully embedded within the resilient material of the outer mount.