Trocar anchor

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing access to a body cavity without substantial loss of inflation gas therein. The apparatus includes an access assembly that has a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, an elastic portion interposed the proximal end and the distal end, and a lumen therethrough. An anchor sleeve is disposed coaxially over the tubular member and has a radially expandable region. The anchor sleeve is moveable between an axially elongated configuration and an axially shortened configuration and is biased toward the axially shortened configuration by a force exerted by the elastic portion of the tubular member. The axially shortened configuration corresponds to the anchor sleeve being in the fully deployed position. Methods for providing anchored access to a cavity within a patient are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of, priority to, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 249,830, filed on Oct. 13, 2005 and entitled “TROCAR ANCHOR,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for accessing the interior of the body for performing surgery, diagnostics or other medical procedures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an access assembly having an expandable anchor to secure and seal the access assembly to the patient's body.[0004]2. Discussion of Related Art[0005]Minimally invasive surgical procedures have recently been developed as alternatives to conventional open surgery. Minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy, involve accessing the surgical area inside a patient through a plurality of ports introduced into the patient's body. This type of procedur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present disclosure is directed to apparatus and methods capable of providing a gas seal against a percutaneous opening in a patient without the use of suturing, external adhesive devices, or an inflatable anchor. The apparatus of the present disclosure generally has an expandable anchor designed to prevent withdrawal of a surgical access device such as a cannula while maintaining pneumoperitoneum in the cavity. The anchor is integrated into the device design, will not rupture, does not traumatize the body tissue against which it anchors, and automatically deploys following placement into the patient.

[0013]A method of the present disclosure for providing access to a cavity in a patient includes the method step of introducing a tubular body through a percutaneous opening in the patient's dermis. A radially expandable member mounted on the tubular body is axially compressed to radially expand the member. This expansion provides a seal against the internal surface of a patient's dermis. The cavity is insufflated with a gas to provide space in the abdomen for surgical instruments. The seal created by the expandable region inhibits loss of the gas through the penetration. A proximal flange on the tubular body may be advanced to clamp against the exterior surface of the patient's dermis.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, it is often difficult to maintain a proper seal between the cannula and body tissue at the initial incision point.

Images