ENDOSCOPIC ACCESS ASSEMBLY

摘要

An access assembly to provide access for surgical instruments during endoscopic surgical procedures and simultaneously seal the access opening when the instruments is withdrawn is disclosed. The assembly has a base, and an elastomeric sealing element and a tubular conduit. The base has a flange and a neck. The elastomeric sealing element has an inner elongated central channel which provides a passageway for surgical instruments into a body cavity. The sealing element also has an outer inflatable sleeve. When the space between the inner channel and outer sleeve is inflated, a distal balloon portion of the sleeve is inflated and the inner channel is compressed to constrict the inner channel passageway and therefore provide a seal. The primary advantages of this access assembly are that it provides a precise passage into the channel so that the elastomeric sealing element is not inadvertently punctured, and it can be manufactured in a cost effective manner because the base of the access assembly provides a ready platform for manufacture and attachment of the sealingelement.