Mechanical Gel Surgical Access Device
A mechanical cap ring/gel pad assembly useful in surgical access devices and methods for making the same, wherein the cap ring and the gel pad are formed separately and then mechanically attached to form a strong seal without the need for heating, solvents or adhesives.
1 . A method of making a gel cap, comprising:
providing a split cap ring having a first end, a second end, and a means for connecting the first end to the second end, the cap ring defining a channel on its inner surface,
providing a gel pad sized and configured to fit within the split cap ring,
disposing the split cap ring around the gel pad, and
connecting the first end to the second end to thereby secure the gel pad within the cap ring.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a circular ring disposed within the gel pad around the periphery of the gel pad.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a snap fit.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a latch.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a boss and a pin.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises an adhesive.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a weld.
8 . A gel cap made by the process of claim 1 .
9 . A method of making a gel cap, comprising:
providing a cap ring comprising a first piece having a first end and a second end, a second piece having a third end and a fourth end, and means for connecting the first end to the third end and the second end to the fourth end, the cap ring defining a channel on its inner surface,
providing a gel pad sized and configured to fit within the cap ring,
disposing the cap ring around the gel pad, and
connecting the first end to the third end and the second end to the fourth end to thereby seal the gel pad within the cap ring.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing a circular ring disposed within the gel pad around the periphery of the gel pad.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a snap fit.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a latch.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a boss and a pin.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the means for connecting comprises an adhesive.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a weld.
16 . A gel cap made by the process of claim 9 .
17 . A method of making a gel cap, comprising:
providing a horizontally split cap ring having a proximal piece, a distal piece, and means for connecting the proximal piece to the distal piece, the cap ring defining a channel on its inner surface,
providing a gel pad sized and configured to fit within the horizontally split cap ring,
placing the gel pad between the proximal piece and the distal piece, and
connecting the proximal piece to the distal piece to thereby seal the gel pad within the horizontally split cap ring.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing a compression bump disposed on the inner surface of the channel
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing a circular ring disposed within the gel pad around the periphery of the gel pad.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a snap fit.
21 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a latch.
22 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a boss and a pin.
23 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the means for connecting comprises an adhesive.
24 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the means for connecting comprises a weld.
25 . A gel cap made by the process of claim 17 .