Patent ID: 9681887
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A trocar support apparatus for use with a trocar separate from the apparatus for maintaining the trocar in fixed position in a body wall of a patient while the trocar extends through the body wall of a patient, the support apparatus comprising: an annular expandable member separate from the trocar and shaped and arranged to be received on and directly contact an outer surface of the trocar and movable along the trocar from a position separate from the trocar to a position located on the trocar, said annular expandable member being movable in an expansion movement from a collapsed condition radially outwardly of the trocar to a predetermined size; an annular abutment collar separate from the trocar and shaped and arranged to be received on and directly contact an outer surface of the trocar and movable along the trocar from a position separate from the trocar to a position located on the trocar at a required position thereon; the annular abutment collar being adjustable longitudinally along the outer surface of the trocar so as to be located at a selected position; a clamp for clamping the annular abutment collar on the outer surface of the trocar at the selected position; said annular expandable member being arranged while in said collapsed condition to be inserted through an incision in the body wall and expanded when inserted to engage an inside surface of the body wall; a coupling arrangement for holding the annular expandable member attached to the annular abutment collar to form a common collar portion for common engagement onto the outer surface of the trocar; the coupling arrangement being releasable so that when released the annular abutment collar is movable along the outer surface of the trocar longitudinally relative to and independently of the annular expandable member such that the annular abutment collar is moved to a position where the annular abutment collar is attached to the outer surface of the trocar to hold the body wall between the annular abutment collar and said annular expandable member; and an operable device for causing said expansion movement of the annular expandable member; said operable device being at least partly mounted on said annular abutment collar so as to be carried thereby for movement therewith longitudinally of the outer surface of the trocar; said operable device including a connector member communicating operation of said operable device from said annular abutment collar to the annular expandable member; said connector member being extendible and retractable between the annular expandable member and the annular abutment collar to accommodate said relative movement.