Patent ID: 8506520

Claim:
A surgical access system comprising: a tubular trocar comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an elongate cannula, and a seal assembly disposed at a proximal end of the cannula; an insufflating obturator slidably insertable into the trocar, the obturator comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, a tubular shaft, a tapered tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft, at least one vent hole disposed on the tapered tip, the tapered tip having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a handle disposed at the proximal end of the shaft; a laparoscope; and a fluid inlet disposed at a proximal end of the access system, wherein at least a portion of the tapered obturator tip comprises a wall comprising a transparent material with a substantially uniform thickness, the obturator is configured to slidably receive the laparoscope into the tubular shaft of the obturator and extend into the tapered portion of the tip such that the inner surface of the tip abuts an outer surface of the inserted laparoscope while still defining an insufflation gas flow channel between the inner surface of the tip and an outer surface of the inserted laparoscope; the insufflation gas flow channel fluidly connecting the at least one vent hole to the fluid inlet.