Patent ID: 7892170

Claim:
A surgical access system, which comprises: a housing including an internal seal defining a passage therethrough, the housing defining a first internal thread segment proximal of the internal seal and a second internal thread segment distal of the internal seal, the housing including a base and a hub at least partially positionable within the base; a mounting element disposed between the base and the hub; a tubular member mounted to the housing, the tubular member comprising a braided material adapted to expand from a first initial condition having a first cross-sectional dimension to a second expanded condition having a second-cross sectional dimension greater than the first cross-sectional dimension, the tubular member having an axial lumen, wherein a proximal end of the tubular member is folded over the mounting element such that the proximal end of the tubular member is captured between the mounting element and the base, and between the mounting element and the hub, to thereby frictionally engage the tubular member to the housing; and a cannula positionable within the housing and the tubular member, the cannula including an external threaded portion, the external threaded portion engageable with the first and second internal thread segments of the housing whereby rotation of the cannula causes advancement thereof in a distal direction due to cooperative engagement of the external threaded portion and the first and second internal thread segments, the cannula dimensioned to radially expand the tubular member to cause the tubular member to assume the second expanded condition.