The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 11, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2009
Michael S. Cropper, Edgewood, KY (US);
Gregory W. Johnson, Milford, OH (US);
Kevin L. Houser, Springdale, OH (US);
William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii, Maineville, OH (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, Iv, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Christopher J. Hess, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Denzel Z. Herrera-davis, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jerome R. Morgan, Cincinnnati, OH (US);
Michael S. Cropper, Edgewood, KY (US);
Gregory W. Johnson, Milford, OH (US);
Kevin L. Houser, Springdale, OH (US);
William Bruce Weisenburgh, II, Maineville, OH (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Christopher J. Hess, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Denzel Z. Herrera-Davis, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Jerome R. Morgan, Cincinnnati, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Abstract
Various methods and devices are provided for accessing a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided and includes an elongate member having a proximal support member configured to rest against an external tissue surface, a flexible elongate central portion extending distally from the proximal support member and configured to extend through tissue, and an inflatable distal portion coupled to a distal end of the central portion. The distal portion is movable between an initial configuration, in which the distal portion is configured to be passed through an incision in tissue, and an inflated configuration in which the distal portion is expanded such that the central portion forms a working channel through the tissue for access to a body cavity. The distal portion can include an opening such that gas delivered to the distal portion can flow through the opening to insufflate a body cavity.