# US 2014/0194833 A1 · Access port

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- Number: US 2014/0194833 A1
- Document ID: US20140194833A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/147,321
- Filed: 2014-01-03
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04
- Assignees: HeartWare, Inc.
- Applicants: HeartWare, Inc.
- Inventors: Lance Lynn Andrus
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194833A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/0218: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/3462: {with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals (expandable cannulas A61B17/3417)}
- A61B 2017/3441: {with distal sealing means}
- A61M 2039/064: {Slit-valve}
- A61M 2039/0686: {comprising more than one seal}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

An access port includes a first and a second resilient element, each having a first face and a second face. A first slit and a second slit are defined in the first and second resilient elements, respectively. The first face of the first resilient element abuts the first face of the second resilient element. The lengthwise direction of the second slit is transverse to the lengthwise direction of the first slit. The first and second resilient elements are configured to assume at least a first position wherein the first and second slits are substantially closed, thereby preventing a passage of a fluid therebetween and at least a second position wherein a member projects through the first and second slits, thereby allowing the member to pass through the access port.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An access port comprising:
a first resilient element having a first face and a second face, and comprising a first slit defined therein, the first slit extending through the first resilient element from the first face to the second face, and extending in a first lengthwise direction;
a second resilient element having a first face and a second face, the second resilient element comprising a second slit defined therein, the second slit extending through the second resilient element from the first face of the second resilient element to the second face of the second resilient element, and extending in a second lengthwise direction;
wherein the first face of the second resilient element abuts the first face of the first resilient element;
wherein the second lengthwise direction is transverse to the first lengthwise direction and wherein the first and second slits cross one another at a crossing axis; and
wherein the first and second resilient elements are configured to assume at least a first position wherein the first and second slits are substantially closed, thereby preventing a passage of a fluid therebetween; and
wherein the first and second resilient elements are configured to assume at least a second position wherein a member projects through the first and second slits, thereby allowing the member to pass through the access port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, wherein the first and second resilient elements comprise an elastomer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The access port of claim 2, wherein the elastomer comprises silicone.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, wherein the first element and the second element comprise first and second discs, respectively.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The access port of claim 4, wherein the first slit passes through a center point of the first disc and the second slit passes through a center point of the second disc.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The access port of claim 5, wherein the first slit extends about 50% to about 60% of a diameter of the first resilient element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The access port of claim 5, wherein the second slit extends about 50% to about 60% of a diameter of the second resilient element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The access port of claim 4, wherein a diameter of the first resilient element is equal to a diameter of the second resilient element.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, wherein the second slit is substantially perpendicular to the first slit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, further comprising a lubricant between the first face of the first resilient element and the first face of the second resilient element.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The access port of claim 10, wherein the lubricant comprises a silicone lubricant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, further comprising a third resilient element having a first face and a second face, and comprising a third slit defined therein, the third slit extending through the third resilient element from the first face of the third resilient element to the second face of the third resilient element, and extending in a third lengthwise direction;
wherein the first face of third resilient element abuts the second face of the second resilient element; and
wherein the third lengthwise direction is transverse to the second lengthwise direction and wherein the third slit crosses the first and second slits at the crossing axis.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The access port of claim 12, wherein the third lengthwise direction of the third slit is transverse to the first lengthwise direction of the first slit.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The access port of claim 12, wherein the second lengthwise direction is oriented at an angle of about 60° with the first lengthwise direction; and
wherein the third lengthwise direction is oriented at an angle of about 120° with the first lengthwise direction.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The access port of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and third resilient elements comprise a first, a second, and a third disc, respectively.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The access port of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and the third resilient elements are compressed against one another.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The access port of claim 12, further comprising:
a lubricant between the first face of the first resilient element and the first face of the second resilient element; and
a lubricant between the second face of the second resilient element and the first face of the third resilient element.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, wherein the first and second slits are defined in the first and second resilient elements without removing any material from the first and second elements.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The access port of claim 1, wherein the first and second resilient elements are compressed against one another.