Surgical access port and method of using same

1. A surgical access port for insertion into a body cavity, comprising:

an elongate tubular body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate tubular body having a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the lumen is dimensioned for the passage of surgical instruments therethrough; and

a tissue penetrating tip connected to and disposed at the distal end of the tubular body for penetrating through a body wall and into the body cavity, the tip in a first, penetrating position extending axially distally of the distal end of the tubular body and blocking the lumen of the elongate body;

wherein the tip swings from the first, penetrating position to a second, retaining position, the tip swinging away from the elongate body unblocking the lumen of the elongate body, when the body wall has been traversed.

2. The surgical access port of claim 1 , further comprising a seal housing operably connected to the proximal end of the tubular body, the seal housing having an access port providing an opening into the tubular body to allow passage of surgical instruments.

3. The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the tip is sharp, pointed or bladed.

4. The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the tip is substantially blunt or has a conical surface.

5. A surgical access port for insertion into a body cavity, comprising:

an elongate tubular body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, dimensioned for the passage of surgical instruments therethrough; and

a tissue penetrating tip disposed at the distal end of the tubular body for penetrating through a body wall and into the body cavity,

wherein the tip moves from a first, penetrating position extending axially distally of the distal end of the tubular body to a second, retaining position,

wherein the tip is generally conical and repositions to one side of the tubular body in the second, retaining position.

6. The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the tip repositions to one side of the tubular body when no axial load is present to hold it in axial alignment with the tubular body.

7. The surgical access port of claim 5 , wherein the repositioned tip remains in an off-axis condition until removal of the access port.

8. The surgical access port of claim 5 , wherein the repositioned tip remains in a substantially right-angled condition.

9. The surgical access port of claim 5 , wherein the tip automatically realigns with the axis of the tubular body as the access port is withdrawn from the body wall.

10. The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is a thin walled tube sized and configured to allow passage of surgical instruments through the body wall an into the body cavity.

11. The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the tip comprises a conical, tapered or rounded shape to separate tissue layers and to provide a small fascial defect through which the tubular body can pass.

12. The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tubular body and tip is formed from an optically clear material.

13. The surgical access port of claim 4 , wherein the conical surface facilitates insertion of the access port with a reduced penetration force and minimizes tenting of the body wall.

14. The surgical access port of claim 4 , wherein the conical surface facilitates separation of different layers of the body wall and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.

15. The surgical access port of claim 1 wherein the tip in the first, penetrating position blocks passage of an opening at the distal end of the elongate tubular body preventing passage of surgical instruments through the elongate tubular body.

16. The surgical access port of claim 15 wherein the tip in the second, retaining position, unblocks passage of the opening at the distal end of the elongate tubular body allowing passage of surgical instruments through and out the tubular body.

17. The surgical access port of claim 1 wherein the tip is a non-expanding tip.

18. The surgical access port of claim 1 wherein the tip is a non-compressible tip.

19. A surgical access port for insertion into a body cavity, comprising:

an elongate tubular body extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate tubular body having a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and dimensioned for the passage of surgical instruments therethrough; and

a tip connected to and disposed at the distal end of the tubular body for penetrating through a body wall and into the body cavity, the tip in a first, penetrating position extending axially distally of the distal end of the tubular body and blocking the lumen of the elongate body;

wherein the tip swings from the first, penetrating position to a second, retaining position, the tip swinging away from the elongate body unblocking the lumen of the elongate body, when the body wall has been traversed, and

wherein the tip is a single-piece tip.