Patent ID: 7449011
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical access system for forming and enlarging a percutaneous penetration, the surgical access system comprising: a radically expandable dilation assembly having a radically expandable sleeve body defining a lumen having a first cross-sectional area and a handle portion coupled to a proximal end of the sleeve body, the handle portion defining an aperture formed therein, and at least one engaging member integrally formed with the handle portion and including at least one boss projecting radically inward from the handle portion, wherein at least one of the bosses includes a lumen extending from an exterior of the handle portion of the dilation assembly through to the aperture formed in the handle portion; an expansion assembly including an expansion member having an axial lumen with a second cross-sectional area, wherein the expansion member is configured and dimensioned to be selectively receivable within the aperture formed in the handle portion and within the lumen of the sleeve body, and at least one engaging element formed in an outer surface thereof, the engaging element including at least one helical groove for co-operable engagement with a respective engaging member of the dilation assembly, wherein the at least one engaging member of the dilation assembly cooperates with the corresponding engaging element of the expansion member to axially advance the expansion member through the dilation assembly upon a rotation of the expansion member; and a polymeric layer encasing the sleeve body.