SURGICAL ACCESS APPARATUS AND METHOD
A surgical access device is adapted for performing laparoscopic surgical procedures with at least one instrument passing through the surgical access device and through an incision in the abdominal wall of a patient with the abdominal cavity pressurized with an insufflation gas. The surgical access device comprises an access seal. The material of the access seal is adapted to form a seal to generally maintain insufflation pressure within the abdominal cavity. At least one opening is formed through the material of the access seal between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the access seal. The at least one opening when operatively disposed is in communication with the incision and forms a working channel between a location external to the abdominal wall and a location internal to the abdominal wall. The material of the access seal conforms to a surface of an instrument inserted through the working channel.
1 . A surgical access device adapted for performing laparoscopic surgical procedures with at least one instrument passing through the surgical access device and through an incision in the abdominal wall of a patient with the abdominal cavity pressurized with an insufflation gas, the surgical access device adapted to provide instrument access to the abdominal cavity for surgical procedures while maintaining insufflation pressure in the abdominal cavity, the surgical access device comprising:
an access seal, the access seal comprising an ultra gel elastomeric material formed of a mixture comprising a triblock copolymer and an oil, wherein the access seal is adapted to be disposed relative to the abdominal wall in an operative position; and
at least one access channel formed through the elastomeric material between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the access seal, wherein the at least one access channel when operatively disposed forms at least a portion of a working channel between a location external to the abdominal wall and a location internal to the abdominal wall;
wherein the elastomeric material of the access seal is adapted to conform to a surface of an instrument inserted through the working channel to provide instrument access to the abdominal cavity while maintaining insufflation pressure in the abdominal cavity, wherein the instrument has a diameter within a range of instrument diameters from the size of a guidewire to the size of a surgeon's hand, and wherein the at least one access channel is configured to self seal in the absence of any instrument extending through the at least one access channel.