Electroactive polymer-based flexing access port

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for providing access through tissue to a surgical site, such as anatomical cavities ranging in size from the abdomen to small blood vessels, such as veins and arteries, epidural, pleural and subarachnoid spaces, heart ventricles, as well as spinal and synovial cavities. In one exemplary embodiment, an access port is provided having one or more electrically expandable and contractible actuators that are adapted to change an orientation of the access port.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to surgical devices and, in particular, to methods and devices for providing flexible access ports. Background technique [0002] Access ports are widely used in medical procedures to access anatomical cavities ranging in size from the abdomen to small vessels such as veins and arteries; epidural, pleural, and subarachnoid spaces; ventricles; and the spine and joints Cavity) changes. The use of access ports has become more common as access ports provide a minimally invasive technique for establishing access to many procedures, such as those involving the abdominal cavity. Most access ports typically include a housing with a piercing member extending therefrom and having a blunt or sharp tip for piercing the wall of an anatomical cavity therefrom. [0003] A trocar is an access port that is commonly used to provide minimally invasive access to a surgical site. A trocar typically includes a cutting assembly (obt...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although access ports can have a curved configuration, such devices are difficult to implant and they may require the use of specialized assistive instruments

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