Patent ID: 8033995

Claim:
A surgical access device, comprising: an elongate member having a working channel extending therethrough between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate member including a proximal support member configured to rest against an external tissue surface, a flexible elongate central portion extending distally from the proximal support member and configured to extend through tissue, and an inflatable distal portion coupled to a distal end of the central portion, the inflatable distal portion being movable between an initial configuration, in which the inflatable distal portion is configured to be passed through an incision in tissue, and an inflated configuration in which the inflatable distal portion is expanded such that the central portion forms a working channel through the tissue to provide access to a body cavity; wherein the inflatable distal portion includes at least one opening formed therein such that gas delivered to the inflatable distal portion to move the inflatable distal portion to the inflated position flows through the at least one opening to allow insufflation of a body cavity containing the inflatable distal portion.