Patent ID: 8425532

Claim:
A method for providing an access corridor from a first location located outside the body of a patient to a second location located inside the body of a patient, the method comprising: providing a telescoping access cannula, the telescoping access cannula comprising: an outer tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; an inner tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the inner tube being coaxially mounted to the interior of the outer tube by a screw thread so as to be longitudinally movable relative to the outer tube, with the proximal end of the inner tube being disposed within the interior of the outer tube; and a tubular rotatable member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the tubular rotatable member being coaxially mounted to the interior of the outer tube such that the tubular rotatable member is rotatable relative to the outer tube but is prevented from longitudinal movement relative to the outer tube, and the tubular rotatable member being connected to the inner tube by a finger-and-slot connection, such that rotation of the tubular rotatable member relative to the outer tube causes corresponding rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and results in longitudinal movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube; inserting the telescoping access cannula into the body of the patient so that the proximal end of the outer tube is located at the first location and the distal end of the outer tube is disposed inside the body.