RETENTION MEMBER FOR LAPAROSCOPIC ACCESS DEVICE

1 . A surgical access port, comprising:

a cylindrical member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends defined by a pair of rims oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;

at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the cylindrical member, the lumens substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and

a sealing member having proximal and distal ends with opposing openings, the opening at the proximal end of the sealing member in contact with the proximal end of the cylindrical member.

2 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a fluid inlet port.

3 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a fluid release port.

4 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member has a port for the receipt of insufflation fluid.

5 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the sealing member is attached to a body surface with an adhesive.

6 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member forms a substantially fluid-tight seal with a body surface.

7 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is configured and dimensioned to sealably contact a contoured body surface.

8 . The surgical access port of claim 1 , wherein the rims are in contact with a body member.

9 . A method of using a surgical access port, comprising the steps of:

placing a surgical access port in a body member, the surgical access port comprising:

a cylindrical member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends defined by a pair of rims oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;

at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the cylindrical member substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and

a sealing member having proximal and distal ends with opposing openings

the opening at the proximal end of the sealing member in contact with the proximal end of the cylindrical member; and

placing the sealing member in contact with a body surface such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising inserting at least one surgical instrument through the at least one lumen.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising performing a minimally invasive procedure through the surgical access port.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of removing the at least one surgical instrument from the at least one lumen.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of removing the surgical access port from the body member.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a fluid inlet port.

15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a fluid release port.

16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sealing member has a port for the receipt of insufflation fluid.

17 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the sealing member is attached to a body surface with an adhesive.

18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sealing member forms a substantially fluid-tight seal with a body surface.

19 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the sealing member is configured and dimensioned to sealably contact a contoured body surface.

20 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the rims are in contact with a body member.