Patent ID: 8137267
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical access device, comprising: a housing having a proximal external portion and an elongate implantable distal portion with at least one working channel extending therebetween, the housing being configured to receive at least one surgical instrument for passage into the working channel; a flexible elongate sleeve coaxial with the housing and matable to and extending over a portion of the implantable distal portion such that the sleeve extends distally from the implantable distal portion; and a resilient and flexible annular ring at the distal circumference of the sleeve, wherein the annular ring has a diameter in its undeformed state that is greater than a diameter of the sleeve and the implantable distal portion, such that the annular ring mechanically strains a portion of the elongate sleeve such that the elongate sleeve applies an outward radial force to an inner wall of an incision when the annular ring is in its undeformed state; wherein the magnitude of the strain applied to the elongate sleeve by the annular ring is between about 5 percent and about 500 percent.