Surgical access device and wound protector

Abstract

An access device for use in a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. The access device is configured and adapted to be placed within a body opening to provide access to an underlying body cavity. The access device provides protection to the opening and minimizes contamination and the risk of possible infection.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A surgical access device, comprising:
 a first tubular member; and   a second tubular member disposed within the first tubular member, the first and second tubular members configured to resist a biasing force of a body opening when the surgical access device is placed within a body opening, wherein the first tubular member is removably coupled to the second tubular member, such that the first tubular member is removable from the second tubular member when the second tubular member is disposed within a body opening.   
     
     
         9 . The surgical access device according to  claim 8 , wherein the second tubular member has an hour-glass configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical access device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second tubular members include an adhesive layer to inhibit relative movement therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical access device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a drawstring attached to the first tubular member, wherein application of a force to the drawstring facilitates removal of the first tubular member from the second tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical access device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second tubular members frictionally engage each other. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical access device according to  claim 8 , wherein the first and second tubular members are formed of a semi-rigid material. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical access device according to  claim 8 , wherein the second tubular member is configured to resist the biasing force of a body opening in the absence of the first tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . A surgical access device, comprising:
 a proximal ring;   a distal ring; and   an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal and distal rings, the intermediate portion including:
 an outer sleeve is securely fixed to the proximal and distal rings; and 
 an inner sleeve disposed within the outer sleeve, the inner sleeve removably coupled to the proximal and distal rings, such that the inner sleeve is removable from the outer sleeve when the outer sleeve is disposed within a body opening. 
   
     
     
         16 . The surgical access device according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner sleeve is removably coupled to the proximal and distal rings by an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical access device according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner sleeve is configured to resist deformation. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical access device according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner sleeve has a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical access device according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner and outer sleeves are formed as a single structure. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical access device according to  claim 15 , wherein the inner and outer sleeves define micro-perforations to facilitate separation therebetween.