Diaphragm entry for posterior surgical access

Abstract

Methods and devices described herein facilitate improved treatment of body organs.

1 . An access device for creating a temporary cavity between organs in a body, the access device comprising:
 an elongate member having a working channel extending therethrough, the elongate member having a distal portion adapted for insertion into the body and a proximal portion, the elongate member having a column strength to allow insertion of the distal portion between organs; and   a slot shaped opening at a distal end of the elongate member, where the working channel exits the elongate member at the slot shaped opening comprising a slotted portion extending along a wall of the elongate member.   
     
     
         2 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the elongate member further comprises a second working lumen extending therethrough, the second working lumen being separate from the working channel and, where the working lumen exits the elongate member at a separate opening. 
     
     
         6 . The access device of  claim 5 , where at the proximal portion of the elongate member, the working channel and second working lumen are staggered. 
     
     
         7 . The access device of  claim 1 , where at the working lumen is smaller in size than the working channel. 
     
     
         8 . The access device of  claim 1 , where at the working lumen is the same size as the working channel. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The access device of  claim 1 , further comprising a braided support member along the distal portion of the elongate member. 
     
     
         11 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the braided support member is located within a wall of the elongate member. 
     
     
         12 . The access device of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the working lumen. 
     
     
         13 . The access device of  claim 12 , where the valve is located over a proximal opening of the elongate member. 
     
     
         14 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the proximal portion of the elongate member is adapted to allow manipulation of the access device outside of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The access device of  claim 14 , where the proximal portion of the elongate member comprises a handle that allows for manipulation of the access device. 
     
     
         16 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the elongate member is tapered towards the distal portion. 
     
     
         17 . The access device of  claim 1 , where at the proximal portion, the working channel is tapered along a proximal end of the elongate member to increase an area through which instrumentation enters the working channel. 
     
     
         18 . The access device of  claim 1 , where a length of the elongate member from a proximal end to the slot shaped opening is 30 cm. 
     
     
         19 . The access device of  claim 1 , further comprising a shapeable support member located elongate member, where the shapeable support member causes the elongated member to retain a shape of the shapeable support member. 
     
     
         20 . The access device of  claim 19 , where the elongated member further comprises a support lumen and where the shapeable support member is slidably located within the support lumen. 
     
     
         21 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the elongate member further comprises at least a first inflation lumen therein, and where the first expandable member comprises a first balloon having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, where the first balloon is adapted to inflate to separate the body organs. 
     
     
         24 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The access device of  claim 23 , where the elongate member comprises a shapeable material. 
     
     
         38 . The access device of  claim 23 , where the distal portion of the member is curved or angled. 
     
     
         39 . The access device of  claim 23 , where the elongate member further comprises at least one suction lumen located in a wall thereof, and where the suction lumen terminates in a suction port located at the distal end of the elongate lumen. 
     
     
         40 . The access device of  claim 23 , where the elongate member further comprises at least one suction lumen located in the working channel, and where the suction lumen terminates in a suction port located at the distal end of the working channel. 
     
     
         41 . The access device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one visual element located in a distal portion of the elongate member. 
     
     
         42 . The access device of claim  25 , where the visual element is a fiber optic scope. 
     
     
         43 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the elongate member comprises a non-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         44 . The access device of  claim 43 , where the cross-section of the elongate member is oval. 
     
     
         45 . The access device of  claim 43 , where the cross-section of the elongate member is rectangular. 
     
     
         46 . The access device of  claim 43 , where the elongate member comprises at least a first planar surface. 
     
     
         47 .- 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The access device of  claim 46 , where the distal end of the elongate member comprises a slot in the planar surface. 
     
     
         50 . The access device of  claim 1 , where the working channel of the elongate member comprises a non-circular shape having a height and width, such that the working channel width is not equal to the working channel height. 
     
     
         51 .- 97 . (canceled)