ACCESS DEVICE WITH ENHANCED WORKING CHANNEL
Disclosed is a surgical access device for providing at least one auxiliary lumen for the insertion of a surgical instrument or other therapeutic device into a patient's body. The device comprises a first working channel, a second working channel and at least one additional lumen for infusion of a distension media. The surgical access device comprises an outer diameter, and the ratio of the outer diameter to the inside diameter of the working channel is preferably less than about 2.25.
1 . A surgical access device for providing at least one auxiliary lumen for the insertion of a surgical instrument or other therapeutic device into a patients body, said surgical access device comprising:
a first channel providing a first lumen for the insertion of a surgical instrument with a rigid shaft;
a second channel providing a second lumen for the insertion of a flexible or semi-rigid visualization device; and
at least one other lumen for the installation of a distension media;
wherein the surgical access device comprises an outer diameter, and the ratio of the outer diameter to the inside diameter of the working channel is preferably less than about 2.25.
2 . An access device as in claim 1 wherein a distal tip comprises a flexible bumper tip to enable easy passage through a cervical os.
3 . An access device as in claim 1 wherein the visualization device comprises independent members for visualization and illumination.
4 . An access device as in claim 1 wherein the instrument channel is capable of sealing on an inserted instrument when inserted or providing an outflow channel without the instrument inserted.
5 . An access device as in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the overall outer diameter to the inside diameter of the first channel is preferably less than about 2.0.
6 . An access device as in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the overall outer diameter to the inside diameter of the first channel is preferably less than about 2.0.