Access assembly

Abstract

An access assembly includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one lumen defined therethrough. The at least one lumen is configured for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough. An outer sleeve is disposed about the body portion to define a chamber therebetween. The chamber is selectively inflatable from a deflated condition, for positioning the access assembly within an opening in tissue, and an inflated condition, for retaining the access assembly within the opening in tissue in sealing relation therewith.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An access assembly comprising:
 a body portion defining at least one lumen configured for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough, the body portion defining a slit extending at least a portion of a length of the body portion; and   a sleeve disposed about the body portion, the sleeve including proximal and distal ring-like sections and a waist, the sleeve defining a chamber configured to selectively retain an inflation fluid therein, wherein the waist is less flexible than at least one of the proximal or distal ring-like sections.   
     
     
         3 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the slit is tapered along the length of the body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the body portion and the sleeve are in a sealing relation. 
     
     
         5 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the body portion further defines a pair of lumens. 
     
     
         6 . The access assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the slit is interposed between adjacent lumens. 
     
     
         7 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the body portion includes a proximal rim and a distal rim, the slit extending from one of the proximal rim or the distal rim. 
     
     
         8 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , further including a valve in fluid communication with the chamber of the sleeve for selective supply of the inflation fluid to the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the access assembly defines a generally hourglass-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the access assembly is formed of at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, foam, or gel. 
     
     
         11 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is monolithically formed. 
     
     
         12 . The access assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the proximal or distal ring-like sections has a first thickness and the waist has a second thickness different from the first thickness. 
     
     
         13 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is transitionable between a deflated condition for positioning the access assembly within an opening in tissue and an inflated condition for retaining the access assembly within the opening in the tissue in a sealing relation therewith 
     
     
         14 . An access assembly comprising:
 a body portion defining at least two lumens, each lumen of the at least two lumens configured for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough, the body portion defining a slit extending partially along a length of the body portion, the slit interposed between the at least two lumens; and   an outer sleeve disposed about the body portion, the outer sleeve including proximal and distal ring-like sections and a waist, the outer sleeve defining a chamber configured to selectively retain a compressible material therein, the outer sleeve transitionable between an expanded state and a compressed state, wherein the waist is less flexible than at least one of the proximal or distal ring-like sections.   
     
     
         15 . The access assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the slit is tapered along the length of the body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The access assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the outer sleeve is formed as a single construct. 
     
     
         17 . The access assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the outer sleeve is in a sealing relation with the body portion. 
     
     
         18 . The access assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the access assembly is formed of at least one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, foam, or gel.