Patent ID: 7235064

Claim:
In combination with a trocar sheath, an improved anchoring system, comprising: a balloon system operatively securable to an outer surface of the trocar sheath, the balloon system having a low profile when in a contracted non-inflated condition closely adjacent the outer surface of the trocar sheath and an anchoring profile when in an expanded inflated condition extending laterally asymmetrically from the trocar sheath; the balloon system including: a self-contained balloon adapted to be secured along an outside surface of the instrument such that when the balloon system is in the anchoring profile the balloon extends in a laterally asymmetrical direction; a conduit for selectively inflating a balloon portion of the balloon system, the conduit including a portion extending proximally along the outer surface of the trocar sheath; and securing structure to selectively engage at least the self-contained balloon and the outer surface of the trocar sheath upon inflation thereof to thereby anchor the trocar sheath against distal movement relative to a tissue through which the trocar sheath extends.