Surgical port feature

1. A method of providing an electrical ground path for a medical device, the method comprising:

inserting a port feature within a body of a patient such that an outer surface portion of the port feature contacts a location on the body of the patient; and

inserting a medical device into a channel in the port feature such that the medical device is in electrical communication with an inner surface portion of the channel;

wherein inserting the port feature and inserting the medical device establish an electrically conductive pathway between the medical device at the inner surface portion of the channel and the body of the patient at the outer surface portion of the port feature.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the medical device comprises inserting a cannula into the channel.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising inserting a surgical instrument through the cannula.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the medical device comprises inserting a surgical instrument into the channel.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive pathway is established through a wall of the port feature located between the medical device at the inner surface portion of the channel and the body of the patient at the outer surface portion of the port feature.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the medical device further comprises inserting the medical device through a seal in the channel.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:

the seal comprises a membrane; and

inserting the medical device through the seal comprises puncturing the membrane.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: inserting a second medical device into a second channel in the port feature.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the medical device comprises inserting an electrocautery tool.

10. A method of providing an electrical ground path for a medical device, the method comprising:

establishing a first electrically conductive path for electrocautery energy from a medical instrument to a surgical site of a patient; and

establishing a second electrically conductive path for electrocautery energy from the medical instrument to electrical ground via a port feature through which the medical instrument extends and via a wall of the port feature in contact with a body wall of the patient, the second electrically conductive path comprising a relatively electrically conductive material extending through a relatively electrically insulating body material of the port feature.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the relatively electrically conductive material comprises a relatively electrically conductive material layer of the port feature.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the relatively electrically conductive material layer is between relatively electrically insulating portions of the body material of the port feature.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the relatively electrically conductive material layer comprises electrically conductive silicone material.

14. A port feature for holding a medical instrument in position through a body wall of a patient, the port feature comprising:

a first end surface;

a second end surface opposite the first end surface;

a channel extending through the port feature from the first end surface to the second end surface, the channel being sized to receive a medical instrument; and

a sidewall extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the sidewall comprising an electrically conductive material layer extending in a radial direction from an inner surface defining the channel to an outer surface of the sidewall.

15. The port feature of claim 14 , wherein the sidewall comprises a waisted shape defining a first flange at the first end surface and a second flange at the second end surface.

16. The port feature of claim 14 , wherein the electrically conductive material layer is at a midpoint between the first end surface and the second end surface.

17. The port feature of claim 14 , wherein:

the port feature comprises a first portion comprising the first end surface and a second portion comprising the second end surface; and

the first portion and the second portion each comprise an electrically insulating material.

18. The port feature of claim 17 , wherein the electrically conductive material layer is integrally molded with the first portion and the second portion.

19. The port feature of claim 14 , further comprising:

a seal positioned in the channel;

wherein at least a portion of the electrically conductive material layer comprises at least a portion of the seal.

20. The port feature of claim 19 , wherein the seal comprises a ring integrally molded with the electrically conductive material layer.